R&D Units - Funding 2020-2023

The HR heading may include expenses related to human resources dedicated to R&D activities (HR), based on the definitions in the OECD Frascati Manual, and belonging to the R&D Unit's research team, including costs related to employment contracts and scholarships directly supported by the beneficiary. (We recommend that you carefully read point 11. Annex, of the Financial Implementation Rules 2020-2023.pdf (fct.pt)).

When submitting expenses related to employment contracts or Studentship contracts, the research team must first be updated (integration of members and submission of mandatory documentation for validation by FCT).

Expenses must be submitted in accordance with pages 22 and 23 of the Expense Submission Manual, i.e.:

• 1st line - base salary + SA (days worked);
• 2nd line – employer's social security contributions.

• Pay slip and bank statement confirming payment of salary (indicate the researcher's name in the payment flow);
• Lists of payments made to social security, tax authorities, and other applicable charges, along with respective bank payment receipts (indicate the researcher's name on the lists and payment flow).

Regardless of whether only the first line (Maturity + Food Subsidy) is selected as a sample, documentation relating to mandatory social charges must also be submitted.

In the columns "Supplier designation" and "Supplier NIPC," the name/organization to which the amount relating to the expense is delivered must be identified. That is, in the case of expenses arising from the payment of social security contributions, the Social Security Institute should be mentioned in the "Supplier name" column and the corresponding NIPC (Tax Identification Number) in the "Supplier NIPC" column.

Yes, costs arising from mandatory workers' compensation insurance charges may be allocated.

When hiring a Science and Technology Manager, it is important to bear in mind the provisions of the Financial Implementation Rules (NEF), particularly Annex 11. If the HR functions you intend to hire fall within the scope of these provisions, they may be accepted.

Human resources dedicated to R&D activities, whether on fixed-term contracts (under the LGTFP) or permanent contracts (under the Labor Code), include highly qualified researchers, technicians with high levels of qualification and technical experience, and other support staff who contribute directly to the development of R&D projects and activities. This classification refers to the function, in terms of tasks (see Annex 11), of the resources that contribute to R&D activities. With regard to technicians and other support staff, only personnel who perform their tasks exclusively in the R&D Unit are considered.

The academic degree and other recruitment conditions shall be defined by the contracting entity, in accordance with the legislation in force and the provisions of the NEF. A doctoral or master's degree is not mandatory for the position mentioned. If they choose to hire a PhD, they must also take into account Decree-Law No. 57/2016 of August 29, amended by Law No. 57/2017 of July 19.

Prior to submitting expenses, the supporting documents for the Studentship processes Studentship in point 11.1 must be submitted on the team update platform. of the Rules for the Award and Management of Studentships the context of R&D Projects, Infrastructure Projects, Multi-Annual Funding Program for R&D Units, and other FCT funding instruments – Version 2021, i.e., Notice of the Call Call Notice of the Call contract, and documentation relating to renewal, termination, or suspension, if applicable. The dossier of the respective funding at the contracting entity must include all elements of Call, contractualization, and execution of Studentship.

Total or partial costs related to registration, enrollment, or tuition fees for courses that may or may not lead to an academic degree associated with Studentships are eligible. The eligibility of these expenses is provided for in the NEF.

It is recommended that the amount of tuition fees to be reimbursed by the entity to the scholarship holder, which will subsequently be charged to the R&D Unit's funding, be proportional to the period during which the Studentship funded under the R&D Unit's funding.

The method used to calculate this proportionality, or the amount to be reimbursed and allocated to the Unit's funding, will be at the discretion of the Studentship contracting entity. The maximum limit established for this type of grant (€2,750 for Studentships Portugal and €8,000 for Studentships ) may not be exceeded, which is normally annual up to a limit of 4 years for a scholarship holder who is enrolled in a doctoral program.

As researchers who will be funded under the Unit's funding, the costs of publishing the advertisement are eligible.

For contracts financed by Scientific Employment that, after Call, become permanent or indefinite contracts, FCT will continue to guarantee through Scientific Employment the value of the fixed-term contract until it reaches the limit stipulated for this type of contract. Entities may allocate to Associate Laboratory funding Associate Laboratory difference between the value of the fixed-term contract paid by FCT and the value of the permanent or indefinite contract.

This change does not require an addendum to the initial contract, as we are dealing with two separate contracts (a first fixed-term contract and a second open-ended contract).

When the contractual status of the employee is changed on the team update platform, with a view to allocating their costs to Associate Laboratory funding, both contracts (the first fixed-term contract and the second open-ended contract) must be submitted.

If the candidate already has a fixed-term contract with an institution, financed through funding from the R&D Unit, and is awarded a new contract through the Call for integration into the research career, the cost of the contract may be covered in full by funding from Associate Laboratory, provided that all other conditions necessary for acceptance of their eligibility under this funding are met.

Depending on the terms of the employment contract, these are carried out with the management institutions and not specifically with the R&D Unit and/or Associate Laboratory. Their costs may then be charged to their funding if the employee belongs to the team, carries out activities that fall within the scope of these (UID or LA), is considered relevant by them, and complies with the eligibility rules defined in the regulations governing them.