Call for Exploratory Projects 2025 in HEALTH + SCIENCE

Applications are now open for Call 2025 Exploratory Call HEALTH + SCIENCE, promoted by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Central Administration of the Health System (ACSS). The application submission period runs until 5 p.m. (Lisbon time) on July 22, 2025.

This Call part of the Health + Science scientific research stimulus program, funded through the ACSS budget, to be transferred to the FCT, and is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation and the Ministry of Health to foster cooperation between higher education institutions, research centers, and entities under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

The maximum funding per project is €50,000, with a total budget allocation of €1.6 million.

The Call promote innovative ideas and relevant scientific issues by supporting HCI&DT projects with the potential to foster technological and organizational innovation, improve the efficiency of healthcare systems, and place citizens at the center of care, promoting a more sustainable and humanized healthcare model.

Research projects must fall within one of three thematic areas: Access to Health, Active Aging, or Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

In the area of Access to Health, proposals that develop solutions to improve healthcare provision in remote or disadvantaged regions, reduce socioeconomic barriers to accessing services, and integrate mobile and telemedicine technologies will be valued. In the field of Active Aging, the aim is to support initiatives that promote the autonomy and well-being of the elderly population, combat social isolation, and introduce assisted technologies. In the area of Health Promotion, support will be given to projects that encourage healthy lifestyles, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce the consumption of harmful substances, contributing to greater health literacy and the strengthening of public health in Portugal.

Proposals submitted must include two or more beneficiaries, including at least one non-business entity from the R&I system—such as higher education institutions, state laboratories, and private non-profit R&D institutions—and one non-academic entity supervised by the member of the Government responsible for health. Selected applications must demonstrate the potential of their proposals to transform healthcare, promoting quality, accessibility, and citizen satisfaction.

The projects will have a maximum duration of 18 months, without interruption, and may be extended, in duly justified cases, for an additional period of up to 6 months.

The Health + Science Program is one of several partnerships established between the government departments of Health and Science, as well as between the FCT and the Directorate-General for Health. These partnerships also include Portugal's membership of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which Portugal joined a few days ago, almost 30 years after first announcing its intention to join.

The Health + Science Program also falls within the scope of partnerships established between FCT and various government departments, namely the Ministry of Youth and Modernization (Digital Twins for Smart Territories and Amalia) and the Ministry of Defense (Defense + Science).

For more information about the Call the application conditions, please visit the Call page.