The main purpose of this paper is to give an historical overview on the genesis of the installation of scientific research in Portugal during the period between the two world wars. The creation of a National Board of Education ─ the JEN (Junta Nacional de Educação) ─ explains the effort to organize modern scientific research in the country, specially the grant service abroad and the support of scientific institutions (laboratories) in Portuguese Universities. We try to summarize the main results achieved by JEN guidelines of its program. In particular we want to expose the effect of implemented measures organized by the JEN's directive committee of providing an important group of students to continue their advanced studies both abroad and at home. This group of grant olders are specially related to mathematics, natural sciences and medicine. (This work was financed by funds FEDER through the Operational Competitiveness Factors Program (COMPETE) and national funds through FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) by the project HC/0077/2009)