As a Research and Technology Organisation (RTO), INESC TEC operates across the value chain linking research, technology and innovation, acting as an interface between academia, business, public administration and civil society organisations. The contextual challenges influencing our economy and society – more recently intensified by the pandemic, armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions – as well as the public policy responses adopted at national and European level, provide a timely opportunity to reflect on the role of RTOs.
Besides the competitive national positioning – characterised by a matrix structure combining scientific areas (12 R&D centres) with sectoral application domains (seven TEC4 areas) and a strong territorial presence – INESC TEC keeps a significant level of engagement in European and international forums. This includes a permanent representation in Brussels, participation in the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO), and active involvement in partnerships with North American universities.
Over the past four decades, INESC TEC has gathered extensive experience with national and European public funding mechanisms. A substantial share of this work is carried out through consortia of varying composition and scale. This long-standing role as an interface institution endows INESC TEC with a strong capacity to address the fast pace of technological, economic, geopolitical and social change.
Hence, it is important to highlight the role of RTOs as key players throughout the different stages of public policy – planning, monitoring, evaluation and foresight – and as partners to decision-makers, within a multi-level governance framework encompassing regional, national, European and international dimensions.
The impact of RTO activities on public policy occurs in several dimensions. These include the stock of scientific and technological knowledge generated through projects, services, master’s and PhD programmes; the skills and specialisation of highly qualified teams; experience in working with businesses and academia; and collaboration with national associative stakeholders, including peer organisations (such as the CTI Alliance and the Associated Laboratories Council), as well as international entities.
From an organisational perspective, INESC TEC has established an internal unit dedicated to this policy interface – the Foresight and Public Policy Office, which participates (within the scope of the INESC Group) in the Brussels Hub, and benefits from the institutional affiliations of researchers in relevant policy forums.
The contribution of RTOs to public policy also takes a wide range of forms: policy briefs, position papers and recommendation reports; organisation of thematic events with international reach to discuss scientific and technological developments; more direct interaction actions, e.g., participation in joint missions to international markets or the involvement of experts in working groups and forums bringing together policy stakeholders and decision-makers. This engagement may involve government members and public administration services, whether in the design of national strategies and instruments or in shaping positions and priorities at European and international level.
Given the widely recognised benefits of collaboration between the scientific and technological system (including RTOs) and the business sector, it is essential to consolidate and project the role of RTOs, their activities, resources and experience, within public policy, particularly in the areas of research and innovation.
Moreover, RTOs such as INESC TEC have considerable potential to contribute to public policy decisions grounded in stronger scientific evidence, the identification of good practices, the international projection of national positions, in-depth knowledge of the domestic context and the ability to address rapidly evolving global dynamics. This contribution translates into structured reflection on priorities and local impacts. Recognising this potential is especially important at a time when, at national level, the Government is implementing a reform agenda spanning 15 areas of action, and at European level, when 2026 will be a pivotal year for Portugal in setting priorities and positioning itself in negotiations for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. These negotiations will cover Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy and Research and Innovation Policy, including the proposed new European Competitiveness Fund.
By Joana Almodovar, head of the Foresight and Public Policy Office
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