In 2015, Instituto Superior Técnico launched a set of unique mechanisms within the Portuguese University system to support Assistant Professors during their probationary period, with the aim of facilitating their integration into Técnico’s academic life and ensuring the success of their career development.

This set of mechanisms constituted the Programme Shaping the Future (PSF) at Técnico, organized around mentoring actions, startup funds, and additional training, which were extended to Assistant Researchers from the moment Técnico also welcomed scientific research careers.

Over more than 10 years of operation, the PSF has contributed to the success of the probationary period for more than 250 teachers and researchers, promoting their integration into Técnico’s culture and values, accelerating the national and international impact of their careers in terms of scientific and academic leadership and the development of scientific and pedagogical skills, and safeguarding their scientific independence. The program also encourages partial sabbaticals abroad during the probationary period, financially supported through startup funds.

The success of the PSF demonstrates the importance of continuing to invest in its development and consolidation, strengthening the coordination between the various aspects of the program, clarifying its operation rules, expanding the scope of some initiatives, particularly in the training component (for example, to encourage and support access to funding programs), promoting the creation of multidisciplinary cohorts of teachers and researchers hired each year, integrating the diversity of their scientific skills into the School’s strategic objectives and mission, and improving the dissemination of the program at Técnico and the University.

The PSF is thus entering a new and exciting phase of evolution, in which it is also important to evaluate the results achieved in order to better plan for future adaptations. Above all, the Programme Shaping the Future and the team responsible for its implementation remain committed to serving Técnico’s professors and researchers, in the firm belief that Human Resources are the most important asset of any institution.

Welcome to Técnico!

Luís L. Alves
Coordenador do Acompanhamento e Desenvovimento de Docentes e Investigadores (CADDI)
January 2026