Call for SR&TD Projects: Madeira – The Tourism and the Sea

The University of Madeira (UMa) has established a program contract with the FCT and other entities aimed at its institutional development and overcoming constraints resulting from regional asymmetries. This instrument sets out a series of measures to equip UMa with the necessary resources for its development program, with a particular focus on strategic, differentiating areas aligned with the specific characteristics of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

In the scope of this program contract, the FCT promotes this announcement with the aim of supporting R&D projects that contribute to the distinctive positioning of UMa in the national higher education landscape, through the promotion of scientific and technological skills development in the strategic areas of the Tourism and the Sea. It is also intended to foster knowledge transfer and innovation in key sectors for regional development, as well as to strengthen institutional partnerships and scientific cooperation.

The following entities are beneficiaries:

As the Principal Contractor, The University of Madeira (UMa).

As Participating Institutions:

• Non-business entities of the R&I System, namely:

           (i) Higher education institutions, their institutes and R&D units;

          (ii) State, international or associated Laboratories with head office in Portugal;

         (iii) Non-profit private institutions whose main objective is R&D activities, including Collaborative Laboratories (CoLab) and Centres for Technology and Innovation (CTI);

        (iv) Other non-profit private and public institutions developing or participating in scientific research activities.

• Companies of any nature and in any legal form, provided they are involved in R&D projects led by UMa.

Applications must be submitted in English from March 14, 2025, until 5:00 PM (Lisbon time) on May 15, 2025, using a specific electronic form available on the myFCT platform. 

The Principal Investigator (PI) and all members of the research team must have their curriculum vitae completed on the CIÊNCIAVITAE ​​​​​​​platform.

The Declaration of Commitment from the Proposing Institution will be available on the myFCT platform for approval by the institution’s highest representative, or a delegated representative, after the application submission deadline and until 5:00 PM (Lisbon time) ​​​​​​ on May 29, 2025.

The evaluation of applications will be carried out by a panel of experts affiliated with foreign institutions, independent, and of recognized merit and integrity, to be appointed by the FCT, I.P.

The selection and ranking methodology of the applications is based on the Merit of the Project (MP), which relies on the following evaluation criteria:

      A. Scientific merit and innovative nature of the proposed project as well as its suitability within the scope of this call.

      B. Scientific merit of the PI and the research team.

      C. Feasibility of the workplan and the expected indicators, as well as the budget adequacy.

The Merit of the Project (MP) is calculated according to the following formula:

                                      MP = 0.40A + 0.35B + 0.25C

The projects to be funded will be fully financed by national funds through the FCT budget. The total budget allocation for this call is € 2.000.000.

The maximum funding for each project is €250.000 (two hundred and fifty thousand euros).

The funding to be granted is non-refundable, applying the real cost option.

The initial advance for the project will be 15% of the approved funding.

For each list of justified expenses, payments will be made as reimbursements, in an amount equivalent to 90% of the eligible expense value, up to 95% of the total approved funding, depending on the degree of project implementation, including the advance payment.

The remaining amount, up to the approved project funding, will be paid after the completion of the scientific and financial components of the project, in the form of a final reimbursement payment.

The call is governed by this Announcement for Proposals Submission ​​​​​​​, the Regulation for Projects Funded Exclusively by National Funds, approved by Regulation No. 999/2016, of October 31, in its current wording, and by any other applicable national and European legislation.

It is recommended to review all the supporting documentation available on the call page prior to applying.

Information about the Announcement for Proposals Submission should be requested through the following email address: concursoprojetos@fct.pt.

No information published on this page replaces or overrides the Announcement for Proposals Submission.