Applications open for the 3rd edition of RESTART Programme

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) has opened applications for the 3rd edition of the RESTART Programme. With a planned budget of €1.6 million, this program promotes the financing, through Call , of individual projects for a maximum amount of €50,000, with a duration of 18 months. Applications will be open until July 16.

The RESTART Programme aimed at researchers who have recently taken parental leave, including for adoption. It also covers, under specific eligibility conditions, shared parental leave and researchers holding a Studentship contract.

This program is designed to support the return to research activities after parental leave, seeking to minimize the impact of parenthood on career prospects and the planning of research paths for researchers. It supports researchers in pursuing and developing original and innovative research ideas, with the possibility of associating other human and/or material resources, according to the funding available and the expected execution time.

National, foreign, and stateless researchers who cumulatively meet the following requirements by the application deadline may apply, with the commitment of the host institution: (i) hold a doctoral degree; (ii) be a full member of an R&D unit, or have a contractual relationship with a state laboratory; (iii) have taken parental leave, including for adoption, of 120 days or more, or shared parental leave, including for adoption, of 72 days or more, between April 10, 2024, and June 2, 2025, inclusive. By defining this eligibility period, the FCT ensures continuity and that there is no gap between this edition and the previous one.

For further information, please refer to the page for the 3rd edition of the RESTART Programmeand the respective Notice of the Call.