Applications are now open for the 4th edition of the RESTART Programme

Applications for the 4th edition of the “ RESTART Programme ” are now open, starting today, October 1. This competition, organized by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), is aimed at researchers who have recently taken parental leave—including for adoption—and seeks to support a competitive return to research activities. Subject to specific eligibility requirements, it covers shared parental leave as well as researchers holding a “ Studentship ” contract.

With a projected budget of 1.6 million euros, this program provides funding, through a competitive grant process, for individual projects up to a maximum of 50,000 euros, with an implementation period of 18 months. Applications will be accepted until November 13, 2026.

Portugal is one of the countries that has made the most progress worldwide in terms of gender parity indicators in scientific research. However, inequalities persist that must be addressed. In this context, particularly for female researchers in the early stages of their careers, parenthood creates additional challenges, with impacts ranging from scientific output to team and project management, and even to securing funding.

This program is designed to support a competitive return to research activities, seeking to minimize the impact of parenthood on the career trajectories and research planning of researchers. It aims to promote gender equality and equal opportunities in R&D activities and careers, as well as work-life balance, with a particular emphasis on female researchers working at national institutions. It supports researchers in pursuing and developing an original and innovative research idea, with the possibility of involving additional human and/or material resources, in accordance with the funding made available and the anticipated duration of the project.

National, foreign, and stateless researchers may apply, with the commitment of the host institution, provided they cumulatively meet the following requirements by the deadline for submitting applications:

1. hold a doctoral degree;
2. be a full-time PhD member of an R&D unit, or have a contractual relationship with a government laboratory;
3. have taken parental leave, including adoption leave, lasting 120 days or more, or shared parental leave, including adoption leave, lasting 72 days or more, with a start and/or end date between June 3, 2025, and October 1, 2026, inclusive. By establishing this eligibility period, the FCT ensures continuity and prevents any gap between this edition and the previous one.

The first edition of RESTART (2023) approved 31 projects across all scientific fields, with total funding of 1.5 M€. In the second edition (2024), 32 projects were supported with total funding of 1.6 M€, and in the third edition (2025), the program covered 31 projects with 1.6 M€ in funding. Approximately 94% of the approved projects were submitted by women.

This financing instrument is aligned with the concerns and recommendations of the Council of the European Union and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in this area, with Portugal being one of the pioneering countries in responding to these issues.

The Notice of the Call is now available.