The Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (Centre for Astrophysics of the University of Porto - CAUP) is the largest astronomy research institute in Portugal, with more than 60 people. Since 2000 it has been evaluated as Excellent by international panels, organized under the auspices of the national science foundation (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT), which was created in May 1989 by the Universidade do Porto. It is a private research institute, non-profit making and recognized as being of public utility by the Portuguese Government.