06-05-2025
Photo: Rui Olavo / NOVA FCT
NOVA FCT is leading the European project SEEDS for Tomorrow: Supporting Education, Employability, and Development of PhD candidateS, a pioneering initiative selected by the EUTOPIA alliance. The project aims to build a European inter-university community focused on the well-being, professional development, and employability of PhD candidates, offering them the necessary support for a successful transition to both academia and the private sector.
Coordinated by Teresa Santos Silva, professor at the Department of Chemistry at NOVA FCT, the project brings together a multidisciplinary team from NOVA University, including members from NOVA FCT (João Correia Freitas, Rita Branquinho, and Isabel Ribau), NOVA Medical School (José António Belo and Gabriela Silva), NOVA School of Business and Economics (Maria João Braga) and NOVA Social Services (Maria Edite de Oliveira). Each academic unit contributes its unique expertise, reflecting the diversity of NOVA’s areas—from science and technology to health, management, economics, and social support—harnessing the university’s collective knowledge to address the global challenges faced by PhD students.
In addition to internal collaboration, SEEDS includes strategic partners from the EUTOPIA network, expanding its reach across Europe. The University of Warwick (UK), renowned for its experience in supporting PhD candidates and early-career researchers, brings best practices in mentoring, employability, and career transitions. The University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) contributes strong pedagogical innovation, with co-creation methodologies applied to PhD teaching and supervision.
SEEDS proposes the creation of a European inter-university community in which PhD candidates from various institutions will engage in activities such as career and leadership workshops, mentoring sessions, digital tools, and peer-sharing spaces involving students, academics, and professionals from diverse sectors. The goal is to provide a collaborative, international environment that supports continuous development and the exchange of experiences and knowledge, enhancing academic growth.
With the project set to begin following evaluation of applications to the third round of EUTOPIA’s Connected Communities, SEEDS aims to create a sustainable, inclusive, and international ecosystem where PhD programmes are more integrated, supportive, and aligned with societal needs. Through this innovative and comprehensive approach, NOVA University and its international partners are paving the way toward a more balanced and promising future for PhD candidates.
