Professor Elvira Fortunato has been awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award 2026, the highest honor bestowed by the Chinese government upon foreign experts for their exceptional contributions to international scientific cooperation and technological development.
The prestigious award ceremony took place on September 30, 2026, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the capital of China. The event brought together distinguished international scientists, senior government officials, and leading figures from the global scientific community.
The China Government Friendship Award is granted annually to recognize foreign scholars and experts who have made outstanding contributions to China’s scientific, technological, and socio-economic progress, as well as to promoting international exchange and collaboration.
This distinction holds special significance as it follows the award presented in 2025 to Professor Rodrigo Martins, also a distinguished researcher at i3N. Receiving this honor in two consecutive years represents an extraordinary and unprecedented achievement for a married couple in the history of the award, underlining the profound and lasting impact of their joint and individual scientific contributions globally.
Professor Elvira Fortunato, a world-renowned pioneer in eco-friendly functional materials, transparent electronics, and paper electronics, sees this award as a major recognition of her extensive career and her dedication to building bridges through science. Her efforts have significantly strengthened scientific dialogue and collaborative research initiatives between Portugal, Europe, and China.