Applications for RESTART Programme on February 15

On February 15, 2023, FCT will open the application period for the first edition of RESTART Programme. This programme aims to promote gender equality and equal opportunities in R&D activities and careers by funding individual projects through Call for proposals, with a maximum amount of €50,000 and a duration of 18 months. The first edition of RESTART Programme a budget allocation of €1.25 million.

The RESTART Programme to promote gender equality and equal opportunities through competitive funding for individual R&D projects in all scientific fields, when carried out by researchers who have recently taken parental leave, including for adoption. In line with public policies in this area, RESTART also covers, with specific eligibility conditions, cases of shared parental leave, which promote equality in caregiving and the sharing of family responsibilities and leave durations.

Contributing to enabling a competitive return to research activities in new circumstances, RESTART will support researchers in pursuing and developing original and innovative research ideas, with the possibility of associating other human and/or material resources, in accordance with the funding available and the expected implementation time. This new funding instrument is also in line 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 becoming one of the pioneering countries in responding to this issue. National, foreign, and stateless researchers who cumulatively meet the following requirements by the deadline for submission of applications 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 less than 12 months ago, or have taken shared parental leave, including for adoption, of 72 days or more.

The RESTART Programme also RESTART Programme researchers holding a Studentship contract, who may submit, as proof of parental leave, statements suspending research activities funded by Studentship respective Studentship for a period equivalent to that mentioned above. For Studentships contracting institution is, or has been, the FCT, and in order to simplify the application process, the submission of this statement may be replaced by simply indicating the reference of the respective Studentship. Applications that include researchers who are beneficiaries as IR or Co-IR of ongoing projects funded by the FCT as of September 1, 2023, will not be eligible.

Proposals will be evaluated by experts affiliated with foreign institutions, who are independent and of recognized merit and integrity, to be appointed by the FCT. The evaluation criteria are as follows: (i) scientific quality, innovative nature, and feasibility of the proposed research plan; (ii) merit of the candidate and suitability of their profile for the research plan; and (iii) impact of the project's implementation on the researcher's career development. The provisional results of the applications will be communicated by June 8, 2023.

The creation of this program was announced by FCT at the commemorative session of World Science Day and National Scientific Culture Day, held on November 24.

The application period for the first edition of RESTART Programme from February 15 to March 30, 2023.