The National Innovation Agency (ANI) is responsible for implementing the guidelines for a technology and business innovation strategy in Portugal from 2018 until 2030. ANI aims at encouraging private investment in research and development (R&D), as well as promoting collaboration between scientific and technological organisations. In addition, it focuses on intensifying the participation of national scientific and technological companies and other entities in international networks and programmes, namely higher education institutions and Interface Centres, with a view to promoting their capabilities, competences and the outcomes of innovation-driven policies.

The National Innovation Agency (ANI) is also responsible for the dissemination of successful Portuguese-based innovation cases at national and international level, in collaboration with other entities, namely the Institute to Support Small and Medium Sized companies (IAPMEI), the Portugal Global - Trade & Investment Agency (AICEP) and the Science and Technology Foundation (FCT). Their joint purpose is to help boost the image of Portugal as an innovative country and justify growing investments, through returns to the economy and to the well-being and quality of life of the population. The pursuit of ANI's mission will be presented along with other public policy objectives, namely the priorities for the next phase of Structural Funds, the 2020-2030 National Investment Programme, the National Reform Programme and the National Spatial Planning Policy , as well as the priorities and objectives associated with Portugal's participation in programmes to support R&D in the European framework.