To promote and support research, development and innovation activities (RD&I) within the University of Porto, fostering interdisciplinary approaches, promoting results and active cooperation between the various bodies of the U.Porto, with a view to widening the scope and dimension of RD&I activities, ensuring that they are carried out with high levels of excellence.

• To promote cooperation between RD&I units.
• To bolster the first point of contact with bodies external to the U.Porto, namely companies,  in RD&I activities.

• To represent the U.Porto with RD&I funding bodies or units.
• To carry out all activities related to intellectual property 
• To assess the results of RD&I.
• To promote the commercial use of results of RD&I.
• To support the creation of companies by members of the academic community or former students.
• To promote training in entrepreneurship for students, lecturers, researchers and non-teaching staff.
• To liaise with the Science and Technology Park at the University of Porto.
• To carry out promotion action for innovation and entrepreneurship.
• To be responsible for U.Porto participation in promotion initiatives for entrepreneurship and innovation organised by third parties.
• To coordinate action with technology transfer offices of component units of U.Porto.