CeiED and CIE-UMa formalize a strategic partnership and establish a new Research Center at the University of Madeira

The Scientific Council of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development (CeiED), a research unit at Lusófona University, approved in a plenary meeting the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established with the Center for Educational Research at the University of Madeira (CIE-UMa).

This document implements the Interinstitutional Collaboration Agreement previously signed by the rectors of both universities, marking a new phase of scientific cooperation, advanced training, and knowledge transfer in the field of education.

The main innovation of this partnership is the establishment of the CeiED Hub at the University of Madeira, which will operate in close coordination with CIE-UMa. This new structure for scientific cooperation aims to develop joint projects, internationalize research, and strengthen the critical mass of both institutions. The hub will follow the regulations and scientific guidelines of the CeiED headquarters at Lusófona University and will be coordinated by a local researcher who will serve on the center’s Scientific Council.

As a first practical step, the agreement provides for the integration of at least four doctoral researchers from CIE-UMa as full members of CeiED, while ensuring compliance with A3ES requirements for doctoral programs in Education. This integration, which will be duly reflected on the CIÊNCIAVITAE, ORCID, and FCT platforms, does not alter the researchers’ institutional ties to the University of Madeira, promoting, whenever possible, the adoption of dual affiliation in their scientific activities.

The cooperation will take place throughout the current funding cycle for FCT research units (2025–2029). 

During this period, each center will retain autonomous management of its core budgets, while shared initiatives - such as academic mobility, international consortia, and joint doctoral supervision - will be funded through joint projects, contracts, or service agreements. The ultimate goal is to consolidate a scientific agenda that is relevant to schools, public policy, and society, with a strong impact on national educational development and in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.