Founded in 1977, FCT/UNL is one of the most prestigious Portuguese public schools of science and engineering today, with a total enrolment of ca. 7500 students, of which nearly 1400 are postgraduate students (MSc and PhD). Since its foundation, FCT/UNL has given priority to the promotion of research in its areas of activity. Today FCT/UNL hosts 16 research centres acknowledged by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (of which 3 are rated “excellent” and 6 ”very good”), as well as 2 Poles of research centres (both rated “very good”).