CINTESIS has strong international research bonds with several member states of the European Union and third countries that aim to create and promote innovative interdisciplinary knowledge of clinical relevance in disease prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment.
Several international organizations are currently involved in such cooperation activities, made solid through joint projects, publications, and PhD students. These include several leading research units located in Europe (such as Imperial College London/UK, Aarhus University-‐‑iNano/Denmark) or outside Europe (such as Harvard University, São Paulo and Minas Gerais Universities and Sidney University). The research unit is permanently engaged in receiving foreign students, particularly from the European Union and African/American Portuguese-‐‑speaking communities, putting in practice several protocols of external collaboration and side-‐‑funding approaches. Furthermore, CINTESIS plays an active role through its researchers in over 68 scientific societies, some of which as treasurer, council member, Portuguese representative, research council member, executive committee member or governing board member, many of which are of international basis.
Overall, current international cooperation activities are well-‐‑grounded in the research unit and will be strengthened by further consortium research projects applied for international funding. Further participation in internationally funded research networking will also be established, including the participation in flagship initiatives, etc. Continuing the track towards an increased number of foreign doctoral students is also among the internationalization targets of CINTESIS. CINTESIS also aims to widen the internationalization route by participating with other current organizations within the health EU Horizon, such European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases, and Ambient assisted living joint programme/ICT for ageing well initiatives, as well as other future. Additional specific data regarding current/future internationalization approaches addressed within each thematic line are presented in its specific field.