The specific missions of IPFN-LA can be summarized as follows: To supply technical support to the Portuguese participation in the European Fusion Programme and to the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA). To perform the work programme of the Contract of Association between IST and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). To collaborate with the European Space Agency (ESA) in the laser and plasma propulsion and in the study of the space plasmas. To assure the Portuguese participation in the European projects on new plasma accelerators. To develop the national technology in the scope of the ultra-short ultra-intense lasers for multi-disciplinary applications. To assure the Portuguese participation in the European projects and to develop national competence in the scope of plasma discharges and gaseous electronics technologies. To carry out research projects, service rendering, formation actions and scientific divulgation in its thematic areas. To collaborate in the graduate and post-graduate teaching in Physics and Plasma Engineering, Intense Lasers and Controlled Nuclear Fusion.