- R&D activities at the University of Porto have grown significantly in recent years, owing to improved academic qualifications, increased funding for R&D centers, and the awarding of research grants through competitive programmes with external independent evaluation by international peer review committees.
- Through its Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia do Porto, a business incubator and entrepreneur center, the University of Porto interacts with a variety of businesses. These centers include companies such as Nonius, Fan Valley, and Veniam.
- The University of Porto is routinely rated as one of the greatest universities in Portugal. According to the Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities, it is among Europe's top 100 universities.
The University of Porto scholarships offers and/or sponsors a wide range of financial aid for its students in order to ensure equal opportunity for admission to its courses and to recognise the merit of those students who excel academically.