NOVA SBE and Native Scientists together for impact-driven learnings

The NOVA School of Business and Economics (SBE) in Lisbon collaborated with Native Scientists to provide its students with practical learning on how to scale mission-driven organisations. 

In the last few months, the collaboration has spanned two initiatives: a student fundraising project carried out through the Leadership for Impact (LFI) club, and NOVA SBE’s Management of Non-Profit Organisations (MNPO) course, in which Native Scientists acted as a live case study. Both initiatives aimed at helping Native Scientists plan how to grow sustainably.

Between March and May 2026, LFI students Fynn Piontek, Lea Marie Soll, Ana Carvalho, Miguel Baptista and Jakob Markes designed a fundraising plan for Native Scientists. Knowing the organisation’s sources of income and main obstacles, the team analysed funding gaps, looked into potential partner and donor groups, and proposed a strategic approach to increase scalability in Native’s fundraising efforts.

For the students, the experience carried weight beyond the academic. "Working with Native Scientists was a meaningful opportunity to support an organisation that connects science, education, and social impact in a truly powerful way," the team reflected. "This project challenged us, taught us, and reminded us why impact-driven work matters."

Alongside the LFI club work, since April students attending Professor Silvia Herrero's MNPO course also had the opportunity to apply the theory into practice by studying Native Scientists’ case. This exchange was as valuable to the academics, as well as to the organization.Native had access to new and informed ideas and to a pipeline of future potential collaborators already familiar with our purpose.

MNPO students Rebeca Cebolo, Juliette Bourahla, and Simona Bartoli mention how genuinely supportive they felt the Native’s team was. A support, they say, made it easier to dive deeper into the real challenges of the organisation. Students had a chance to reflect  on structural barriers in science education, as well as on the belonging, identity, and representation of nonprofit initiatives like Native.

When universities and organisations work together, they can produce outcomes which neither could achieve alone:  better-prepared graduates, effective non-profits, and a more socially-aware environment. 

With this in mind, Native Scientists openly invites other universities and institutions to reach out with projects aligned with the work and mission of the organisation for a mutually beneficial collaboration.

About Native Scientists

Native Scientists is a pan-European non-profit organisation connecting underserved children and scientists. It exists to broaden children's horizons, promoting scientific literacy and reducing inequalities through science outreach educational programmes.

About NOVA SBE

NOVA School of Business and Economics (NOVA SBE) is a leading faculty of the NOVA University of Lisbon, founded in 1978. It is dedicated to teaching and research in economics, finance, and business management.