The CMU Portugal Program has selected 10 new candidates for the Dual Degree Ph.D. programs. The new Ph.D. students, funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, will start their journey in Fall 2025, embarking on a full-time program consisting of 2 years at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and 3 years at a Portuguese university.
The selection process for these candidates was overseen by a committee composed of faculty members from Portuguese Universities and Carnegie Mellon University, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of 6%.
The selection process for these candidates was overseen by a committee composed of faculty members from Portuguese Universities and Carnegie Mellon University, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of 6%.
This year’s scholarship awardees will cover diverse areas of study, specializing in Computer Science (2), Electrical and Computer Engineering (3), Engineering and Public Policy (2), Language Technologies (1), and Software Engineering (2). The cohort represents an international group, with students from Portugal (8), Pakistan (1), and Venezuela (1).
In Portugal, the students will be enrolled at the Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (1), Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (2), Instituto Superior Técnico (6), and Universidade de Aveiro (1). While at CMU, the candidates will be welcomed across 5 departments: Computer Science – School of Computer Science (2), Engineering and Public Policy – College of Engineering (2), Electrical and Computer Engineering – College of Engineering (3), Language Technologies Institute – School of Computer Science (1), and at the Software and Societal Systems – School of Computer Science (2).
Since its launch in 2006, 221 students have enrolled at Portuguese Universities through CMU Portugal Program, fostering a dynamic academic community. Today, it remains active with 88 students participating in Dual Degree and Affiliated programs, supported by a growing network of 96 alumni.
Here is a complete list of all the new Ph.D. students admitted for the 2025/2026 academic year, organized by their respective programs:
Ph.D. Program in Computer Science
- Lara Neves (PT) – Instituto Superior Técnico / Computer Science Department at CMU School of Computer Science
- Rodrigo Marques (PT) – Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto / Computer Science Department at CMU School of Computer Science
Ph.D. Program in Language Technologies
- Nuno Gonçalves (PT) – Instituto Superior Técnico / Language Technologies Institute at CMU School of Computer Science
Ph.D. Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Diogo Araújo (PT) – Instituto Superior Técnico / Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at CMU College of Engineering
- João Pereira (PT) – Instituto Superior Técnico / Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at CMU College of Engineering
- Maria Alvarez (Venezuela) – Universidade de Aveiro / Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at CMU College of Engineering
Ph.D. Program in Engineering and Public Policy
- João Cortes (PT) – Instituto Superior Técnico / Engineering and Public Policy Department at CMU College of Engineering
- Muhammad Fuzail (Pakistan) – Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto / Engineering and Public Policy Department at CMU College of Engineering
Ph.D. Program in Software Engineering
- Nuno Policarpo (PT) – Instituto Superior Técnico / Software and Societal Systems Department at CMU School of Computer Science
- Rui Melo (PT) – Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto / Software and Societal Systems Department at CMU School of Computer Science
