R&D Units - Funding 2020-2023

According to the NEF, in point 2.5.1, subparagraph b), expenses for "Missions (M) in the country and abroad by members of the R&D Unit's research team, directly related to the objectives of the funding, except those provided for under the heading Demonstration, promotion, and dissemination (DPD)" are eligible. The legal regulations governing public expenditure must be complied with, in particular Decree-Law No. 106/98 of April 24 and Decree-Law No. 192/95 of July 28. Expenses must be accompanied by proof of the mission, where applicable."

In missions in the country and abroad by members of the R&D Unit's research team, directly related to the objectives of the funding, such as:

• Hotel unit up to 3 stars;
• Meal expenses (when no per diem allowance is paid);
• Travel expenses.

Given the unavailability of 3-star hotel accommodation, equivalence to the cost of a hotel up to 3 stars must be proven by consulting 4 hotels in the same location/area whose classification complies with the requirements of Decree-Law No. 106/98.

The description of mission expenses must include the name of the researcher, the location and date of the event, the destination of the trip, the duration, and the reason for the trip (brief description).

In addition to the expense document, boarding passes and/or certificates of participation in the event must be submitted by the researcher.

Yes, expenses related to missions for the preparation of applications for European projects are accepted for financing by R&D Units 2020-2023, supported by the assumption of attracting other funding.

The provision of paid services by team members is not accepted as an eligible expense.

As this is not a direct expense of the R&D Unit's activity, it is not eligible as a direct expense and falls under the heading of General Expenses (GE).

Expenses related to travel in your own vehicle may be considered eligible when it is not possible to use public transport due to incompatible schedules or other reasons that justify its use, taking into account the reasonableness of the amount charged and the description provided, which must be clear and precise in order to allow for analysis.

The documents to be submitted should be: an expense document issued in the name of the beneficiary entity and proof of payment (e.g., invoice and receipt, itinerary report, and justification for the need to travel in your own vehicle, or other related documents).

The use of rental cars should only occur in cases where their use is considered absolutely essential to the interests of the services and with the prior authorization of the FCT, in accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Decree-Law No. 106/98.

Expenses incurred when traveling in your own vehicle on missions abroad are not considered eligible, as they are not provided for in Decree-Law No. 106/98 and No. 192/95.

Expenses relating to travel using transport – taxi, subway, boat, bus, and plane – must be presented on as many lines as there are invoices/receipts submitted for reimbursement. Only expenses supported by invoices, or equivalent documents, issued in the name of the beneficiary entity (proponent or participant) in accordance with Article 29 of the Value Added Tax Code (CIVA) and receipts or equivalent documents of discharge, and all the tax requirements set out in Article 36 of the aforementioned Code must be met, except when the calculation of the amount of the expense to be charged is based on simplified costs.

As for the heading to be used, this will depend on the role you will play at the conference. If you are only attending, the expense should be entered under the heading Missions. If you are presenting, in order to communicate the results of research carried out at the Unit, the expense should be entered under the heading DPD.