The Blockchain Lab at NOVA IMS is a multidisciplinary center dedicated to the intersection of blockchain technology and data science. Its mission is to equip the next generation of data-driven professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and apply blockchain.
As a research and innovation hub, the Lab brings together students, faculty, and industry partners, fostering collaboration and supporting the development of data-driven innovation through blockchain.
Our mission is to empower the next generation of data-driven professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to harness the transformative potential of blockchain. As a multidisciplinary research and innovation hub, we foster creativity and collaboration among students, faculty, and industry partners.
The Agenda "Decentralize Portugal with Blockchain”, brought together several blockchain organizations, creating a cluster of 24 Portuguese blockchain companies, 15 Research and Technology Organizations (RTO), 5 Public Entities, 2 Associations and 10 other Associated Partners, connected by business and technology, aiming to become global players and, thus, contributing to a significant change in the specialization profile of the Portuguese economy, by investing on cutting-edge technology and hiring highly qualified personnel. Launching 26 innovative products worldwide and increasing Portuguese exports (more than two thirds of envisioned sales are to foreign countries).
COMMUNITAS is a large-scale international project, aimed at fostering “Renewable Energy Communities” (RECs) and “Citizen Energy Communities” (CECs), promoting energy prosumership of EU citizens, and, consequently, pursuing sustainable development in the energy sector. NOVA IMS is an official partner of the project, dealing with the implementation of target blockchain-based information tools, such as P2P energy trading platform and demand response (DR) technology, as well as the contribution to scientific research in the areas of public attitudes and adoption of the above-mentioned services.
More information on the project is available here.
The Bee2WasteCrypto project aims to develop a differentiating and intuitive IT tool, which, based on high resolution data on waste production, allows Regional Waste Management Entities (RWMUs) to design and manage optimal decentralized solutions for each region, and even promoting more sustainable waste production and sorting behavior. NOVA IMS Blockchain lab team is part of the project, already developed consumer behavior change model assisting further an IT system to facilitate financial schemes (PAYT and/or SAYT), together with the use of blockchain technologies to produce credible information; creating a “Token”, eventually based on a cryptocurrency, intended remunerate individual sustainable behavior in returning waste for recycling or reuse, as well as to promote PAYT solutions.
Find out more about the project here.
The +VALORCER project, funded by the PRR (Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência), aims to optimize and foster grain producers’ performance, improve the sustainability, and promote agricultural sector image in the eyes of consumers through the implementation of blockchain traceability platform, in-depth research, and counselling of the companies’ top-management. With the participation of over 17 producers' organizations in the grain sector, the project involves more than 12,500 farmers across the country. The contribution of NOVA IMS Blockchain lab accounts for the assessment of the current state, research, and technology development to boost the agricultural industry in Portugal.
See the current updates about the project here.
The CircularTech Agenda is a national initiative aimed at transforming waste management by turning a long-standing structural challenge into a high-value economic and environmental resource. Led by Bee2Solutions and developed in collaboration with academic, business, and technology partners – including NOVA IMS – the Agenda focuses on embedding intelligence across the entire waste value chain. Through data collection, knowledge generation, and the integration of data-driven intelligence at every stage, CircularTech promotes innovative waste valorization solutions and supports the transition towards a more efficient, sustainable, and technology-driven circular economy.
Learn more about the project here.
NextGen Test Bed – NextGen Payments Lab is a national innovation infrastructure supporting the development, testing, and validation of advanced digital solutions in the electronic payments sector. Developed within an ecosystem that brings together NOVA IMS – Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, SIBS FPS, and Cuatrecasas, NextGen is part of the National Test Beds Network and co-funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). It provides startups and SMEs with a secure environment to test emerging technologies such as blockchain/Web3, artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity, ensuring regulatory compliance and faster time-to-market. By combining academic expertise, legal support, and access to real payment infrastructures, NextGen strengthens the fintech ecosystem and supports the development of innovative solutions with global potential.
Learn more about the project here.
