Presentation

The Young Scientists Seminar (YSS) aims to encourage young scientists of exceptional merit, chosen from various fields of knowledge, to join the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon.

The YSS was set up by the Lisbon Academy of Sciences of Lisbon in 2010 (initially as part of the Academy's Institute of Advanced Studies), with the aim of boosting its activity within society and, more specifically, connecting the younger members of the scientific community to the Academy, as has been happening in other European countries.

The first initiative of this kind came from Germany, which in 2000 created the ' ‘Junge Akademie’, associated with the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the German Academy of Natural Sciences Leopoldina.

Nowadays, with the rapid progress of science, it is unanimously recognized that the Academies need to broaden their horizons to the younger scientific community, allowing young talents to participate earlier in the Academies' scientific activities.

The YSS includes ten young scientists from the Sciences and ten from the Humanities Letters and runs in three-year cycles. The selection (and invitation) of Young Scientists to join the SJC is made by the Seminar's Steering Committee, after consultation with the Academy's Members and the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities, in accordance with the regulations in force.

The Young Scientists, aged between 30 and 40, must have an academic and professional CV of the highest quality, preferably with international recognition.

The SJC is encouraged to develop activities of a transdisciplinary nature and social relevance, producing documents that can be used by science policy makers and society in general.

At the end of their three-year membership period, SJC members receive a certificate from the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, with commendation from the Board.