ABSTRACT
This chapter offers an overview of the Portuguese science landscape over the past two decades. It starts by providing some context on the situation at the turn of the century and by describing some early efforts to modernize its funding and support structure. Through quantitative indicators and qualitative examples, it then describes how Portuguese science falls short of expectations due to several critical issues, particularly: (1) the absence of a clear, long-term strategy; (2) centralized decision-making processes that are vulnerable to political and economic instability; (3) chronic underfunding; and (4) poor political support for science and scientists. Therefore, and despite some success stories, Portugal's great scientific potential remains to be fulfilled.
