Universidade do Algarve (The University of Algarve - UAlg) is a public higher education institution, founded in 1979, where the polytechnic education and university education systems cohabit. About 9000 students enrolled in the 2020/21 school year, about 23% of the registered students are international, and around 1300 staff (teachers, employees and researchers). UAlg educational offer consists of the 1st cycle courses, 2nd cycle courses doctoral programs in different scientific areas – science and technology, management and economics, marine and earth sciences, social sciences and, health and well-being. UAlg research projects and international cooperation and mobility projects seek to develop innovative, entrepreneurial ideas that meet the principles set out in the 2030 UN Agenda. University incorporates
the Division of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer of the University of Algarve (CRIA). CRIA aims to promote relations between the university and the industry, increase the technology and knowledge transfer, support the establishment of new firms, generalize the use of industrial property rights mechanisms and developing technological infrastructures to enhance specific research fields in the Algarve. CRIA was born in 2003, from the need of creating a service to support the development of advanced business ideas and inventions. The intervention areas of CRIA are: Intellectual Property (IP) and Licensing Support, Commercialization and Technology Transfer, Entrepreneurship and Business Development, European Projects and Studies.
.