The Research Unit in Political Science and International Relations (NICPRI) was formally created in May 2000. As from 2004, in the sequence of a national evaluation of research units that took place during 2002, its activities have been directly sponsored by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia under the European Framework Programme called Programa de Financiamento Plurianual de Unidades de Investigação e Desenvolvimento.
The principal NICPRI’s objectives are four. First, to develop research in the fields of Political Science and International Relations at the level of quality compatible with international standards. Second, to promote postgraduate activities in those same domains, which includes supervision of Master Dissertations and PhD thesis as well as the offer of Master Courses in both European Studies and International Relations and of a Doctoral Programme in Political Science and International Relations. Third, to undertake common research projects of a multidisciplinary nature bringing together the members of the Unit. Fourth, to secure its member’s participation in both national and international research networks and programmes.