Science was included in the update of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), with an investment of 93 million euros. The aim is to strengthen and create initiatives and programs to be implemented by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), namely through the FCCNuntil June 2026.
Science + Digital" and "Science + Training" are part of this effort. Find out more about the main objectives of these projects.
Science + Digital" program
This program has 48 million euros to accelerate the process of digital transformation of science and the services that support the National Scientific and Technological System (SCTN). It aims to promote greater competitiveness in the economy, society, public administration and the business community.
Within the scope of Measure 5 - Science + Digital, the following services and programs provided by FCT are covered:
- The creation of a Science and Technology Campus, open to society and oriented towards the future, including a Science Desk (physical and online), where the main services and funding mechanisms for researchers, R&D and Higher Education entities are to be made available in a single location.
- The creation of the National Centre for Advanced Computing (CNCA), by reorganizing the country's existing advanced computing centers and networks into a single entity. This pillar supports the operation of the two supercomputers - Deucalion and Mare Nostrum 5 - and the completion of the CNCA's support infrastructure and data center.
- The completion of 94 projects funded under the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science R&D Projects Program in Public Administration.
- The availability of 50 new courses offered through the national platform for massive online courses (NAU), developed by FCCN, benefiting from a newly developed technological infrastructure.
- The implementation of the national program for open science and open research data (PNCADAI), making it possible to provide a network of infrastructures, services and tools to support open science and, in particular, the management of FAIR research data.
Science + Training" program
With 45 million euros at its disposal, the program aims to promote the development of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in higher education institutions (HEIs). This amount is intended to support basic research, promoting the transfer of knowledge, reducing the precariousness of researchers and strengthening the link between companies and society.
In relation to Measure 6 - "Science + Capacity Building", the following FCT Calls, Programs and Partnerships are covered:
- Talent Attraction and Retention Programs "ERC-Portugal" and "FCT-Tenure". ERC-Portugal is the program for supporting, retaining and attracting researchers whose ERC applications were recommended for funding or passed the second evaluation phase, but were not funded. FCT-Tenure, on the other hand, is the program that aims to promote the development of R&D activities by hiring 230 PhD researchers for permanent positions and contribute to reducing precariousness in national scientific employment.
- Strengthening International Partnerships in Science, Technology and Innovation , with the signing of six international partnerships, including European and bilateral partnerships.
Also included is the program to support the financing of projects, alliances and infrastructures with national participation selected at European level, namely within the scope of Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Program.
Finally, there is the International Researcher Mobility Program, through a new program created by FCT.
More information about these programs can be found at www.recuperarportugal.gov.pt.
