INESC-ID’s general management is implemented by its Board of Directors (BD), which drives scientific matters and long-term strategic objectives. The Board of Directors consists of executive members (forming the Executive Committee) and non-executive members. The Executive Committee oversees INESC-ID’s general management, including administrative, logistic, and financial aspects, as well as the supervision of the support offices. The non-executive members play the role of counselors, challengers, and supervisors, also helping to define the institutional strategy.
The Scientific Council (SC) works in close collaboration with the BD. It comprises all researchers with a PhD degree and operates through a Coordinating Committee (CC-SC) consisting of three Scientific Council Board members and representatives of all Thematic Lines and Scientific Areas. The CC-SC is responsible for strategic planning and the organization of the TLs. It also assesses the research projects, annual budget, activity plan, and annual report prepared by the Board of Directors for submission to the General Council. Workgroups, such as the Careers Board and the Awards Committee, stem from the SC to undertake specific tasks. The Scientific Council is responsible for implementing an internal evaluation and monitoring system (RADINESC-ID) and strategies for attracting and retaining new talent.
Abílio Henriques
The General Council (GC) is the supervisory body that includes representatives of the INESC-ID associates, Instituto Superior Técnico and INESC. The GC approves the annual technical and financial reports, as well as the annual plan and budget. It is composed of INESC-ID shareholders, with representatives from Instituto Superior Técnico, and from INESC, and the president of INESC-ID’s Scientific Council.
Srinivas Devadas, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) – Chair of the Advisory Board
Bram Nauta, University of Twente (Netherlands)
Ingrid Moerman, Ghent University (Belgium)
José Carlos Príncipe, University of Florida (USA)
Marija Ilic, Carnegie Mellon University (USA)
Morris Sloman, Imperial College London (United Kingdom)
Ricardo Baeza-Yates, NTENT (USA)
The Advisory Board (AB) offers independent guidance and strategic assessments. Consisting of seven leading international research experts, the AB annually conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the institution, based on the submitted reports and plans, decides on internal awards based on the Awards Committee reports, and provides strategic counselling. It is also consulted on medium to long-term strategic matters. This interaction is further enhanced by a biennial two-day in-person evaluation process.
Ana Teresa Freitas (Life and Health Technology)
José Borbinha (Societal Digital Transformation)
Miguel Correira (Security & Privacy)
Pedro Carvalho (Energy Transition)
The Thematic Lines Board, comprising coordinators from the four Thematic Lines (TLs), is responsible for high-level management of the TLs and ensures alignment between scientific areas and each TL. Leadership boards undergo regular renewal, combining experienced researchers for strategic continuity with younger members who bring fresh dynamics and ideas.
Innovation Management Office
The Innovation Management Office (IMO) is involved in all phases of application and management of national and international projects. It provides support for funding applications, analyses policies, and facilitates access to various sources of funding. It oversees project execution and administration ensuring compliance with regulations, manage post-award tasks like documentation review, preparation, invoicing, and financial reporting. Finally, it also fosters partnerships with industry and academia.
Communications and Outreach Office
The Communications and Outreach Office (COO) is responsible for defining and executing INESC-ID’s communications and outreach strategy, working closely with the Board of Directors to ensure alignment with the institute’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
The COO designs, manages, and implements the institutional communications plan, encompassing both internal and external communication actions and focusing on four key areas: internal channels and community building, operational management, content production and media, and outreach and public engagement. These activities target internal stakeholders (researchers, students, and staff), prospective stakeholders (expert audiences), and the general public, with the aim of enhancing INESC-ID’s identity, visibility, reputation, and impact.
Human Resources Office
The Human Resources Office (HRO) at INESC-ID manages all human resources affairs and improves its structure to attract and keep research staff, providing onboarding, career development and personnel evaluation, team building, and well-being initiatives, emphasizing the institution’s human capital approach focused on individuals.
Legal Office
The Legal Office (LO) provides legal and intellectual property support, and data protection officer services.
Administrative Support Office
The Administrative Support Office (ASO) includes personnel responsible for various tasks, such as preparing and updating reports, correspondence, and other documents. They also give support to organizing and attending meetings and events.
Technological Infrastructures Office
The Technological Infrastructures Office (TIO) manages and develops INESC-ID’s technological infrastructure, working closely with the Board of Directors to ensure robust, secure, and efficient IT systems. The office is responsible for maintaining, upgrading, and implementing technological solutions that support and enable research activities, administrative operations, and collaborative work across INESC-ID.
The IT office’s scope encompasses four primary areas: computing infrastructure and data centers, network and security systems, user support and services, and research-specific IT solutions. These services support all stakeholders including researchers, administrative staff, students, and external collaborators, ensuring seamless technological operations that underpin INESC-ID’s research excellence.
INESC Brussels HUB
INESC Brussels HUB represents the five INESC holding organizations, advocating for their interests in science, technology, and innovation at both EU and global levels. Together with the Board of Directors and the Innovation Management Office, the HUB enhances the visibility and reputation of INESC-ID’s research and technological development. It also promotes increased representation in key thematic areas, platforms, and networks, ensuring involvement in strategic projects and programs from their inception. The strategy is set bi-annually during management committee meetings, which are currently chaired by the INESC-ID President.