An empirical approach to scientific institutions and science policies is essential for a historical and political understanding of the management of science. Working within this understanding, the main purpose of this article is to analyse Portuguese scientific policy as proposed by the important actors of a peripheral ‘science, technology and innovation system’. Based on archival and printed sources, this is a qualitative study of historical evidence based on influential personalities, policy measures and institutional trajectories. As such, the purpose is to understand and evaluate the interconnections within science policy, for the purpose of understanding technological change strategies in Portugal, identifying its trends and agents, as well as pointing out the policy measures and programmes proposed between those transitional years. As an empirical and contextual study of the national situation, the aim of the article is to provide a reflexive view in order to consider, in a wider contextual manner, the main issues within Iberian science policies, during a transition period that took place between the 1970s and the 1990s.

Palavras-chave:
Portugal, History, Science policy, Technological policy, Technology transfer, JNICT, European integration