Call makes €1.2 million available for research applied to national defense

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the National Defense Institute (IDN) are launching "Defense+Science: Call Exploratory Projects 2025." Applications will be accepted between December 30, 2025, and 5:00 p.m. (Lisbon time) on February 24, 2026, through the myFCT platform.

This Call a total budget of €1.2 million (funds from the State Budget), guaranteeing a maximum funding of €50,000 per project.

The Defense + Science Program aims to strengthen scientific and technological development and innovation in areas strategic to national defense. It seeks to bring the Armed Forces' Scientific and Technological System closer together, stimulate the defense economy, and foster multidisciplinary projects that respond to society's challenges in security and defense. Support will be given to projects that strengthen the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces and consolidate scientific knowledge in Portugal.

Proposals must fall within one of three priority thematic areas: Applied Technologies in Defense; Organizational Engineering and Human Behavior in a Military Context; and Major Societal Challenges in the Field of Security and Defense.

Each application must involve at least one non-business entity from the R&I system and one entity under the supervision of the Ministry of National Defense.

The projects will last up to 18 months, extendable by six months in justified cases.

The Defense+Science program is part of a set of initiatives by FCT in partnership with different ministries, such as Call , reinforcing the link between science, technology, and strategic areas for the country.

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