Universidade Católica Portuguesa celebrates the distinction of three of its students with the prestigious Gulbenkian New Talents Scholarship, awarded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, which recognises young people of exceptional academic merit and research potential.

This year, the recipients were Inês Maria Paixão, from the Faculty of Law, Gabriel Berjano Valente, from the Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, and Carolina Rodrigues Mano, from the Faculty of Human Sciences (Psychology). Each of them is now embarking on a journey that combines scientific curiosity, rigour and creativity, under the guidance of renowned tutors and researchers.

For Inês Maria Paixão, applying for the scholarship arose “with the aim of enriching her academic career at the Faculty of Law of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, through the development of a research project”. The student believes that “the programme provides the ideal context for taking the first steps in this field, in collaboration with an institution of recognised prestige such as Gulbenkian”.

In the field of Economics, Gabriel Berjano Valente emphasises that ‘the Gulbenkian New Talents Scholarship will encourage curiosity about the world and its complex dynamics, especially in the field of Economics’. For the student, ‘the Scholarship goes beyond the scope of an award, offering not only financial support but also transformative experiences’. He also highlights that this opportunity ‘allows me to connect, learn and exchange ideas with renowned professors, researchers and scholarship holders from a wide variety of fields,’ adding that ‘being awarded the scholarship means a great responsibility towards science, towards the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and, ultimately, towards the unique opportunity it creates in my academic life.’

For Carolina Rodrigues Mano, from the Faculty of Human Sciences, being selected for the programme is ‘an immense honour’. The student says: "I receive this scholarship with a deep sense of gratitude, but also with a sincere sense of responsibility. This recognition is more than a research scholarship: it is motivation to continue learning and deepening my knowledge in the field of psychology. I believe that science should be at the service of people, transforming, inspiring and bringing them closer together. Above all, this scholarship represents a commitment to everything I still want to build — not a point of arrival, but a point of departure."

Aimed at high-achieving students, the Gulbenkian New Talents programme encourages scientific development and introduces students to research in a wide range of fields. In addition to financial support — which can reach €3,500 — scholarship recipients benefit from personalised mentoring, scientific retreats and a cultural and academic enrichment programme that promotes critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration and excellence.

This distinction reinforces the Universidade Católica Portuguesa's commitment to promoting talent, research and the comprehensive training of its students, valuing merit and intellectual curiosity as pillars of excellence in higher education.