Science was included in the update of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), with an investment of 93 million euros. The aim is to strengthen and create initiatives and programs to be implemented by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), namely through the FCCN, until June 2026.
THE “Science + Digital” and “Science + Training” are part of this effort. Learn about the main objectives of these projects.
“Science + Digital” Program
This program has 48 million euros to accelerate the digital transformation process of Science and support services for the National Scientific and Technological System (SCTN). Its objective is to promote greater competitiveness in the economy, society, public administration and business sector.
Within the scope of Measure 5 – Science + Digital, the following services and programs provided by the FCT are covered:
- The creation of a Science and Technology Campus, open to society and future-oriented, including a Science Desk (physical and online), which aims to provide, in a single location, the main services and funding mechanisms for researchers, R&D and Higher Education entities.
- The creation of National Center for Advanced Computing (CNCA), through the reorganization of 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 conclusion 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 of 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), enabling the provision of 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 available, the program aims to promote the development of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem of higher education institutions (HEIs). This amount is expected to support fundamental research, promoting knowledge transfer, reducing the precariousness of researchers, and strengthening the connection between companies and society.
Regarding Measure 6 – “Science + Training”, the following FCT Competitions, Programs and Partnerships are covered:
- Talent Attraction and Retention Programs “ERC-Portugal” and “FCT-Tenure”. ERC-Portugal is the program to support, retain, and attract researchers whose ERC applications were recommended for funding or passed the second phase of evaluation, but ultimately were not funded. FCT-Tenure is the program that aims to promote the development of R&D activities with the hiring of 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.
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, is also included.
Finally, the International Researcher Mobility Program emerges through a new program created by the FCT.
You execution data of these programs are available on the FCT website. More information about these programs can be found in www.recuperarportugal.gov.pt
