FCT joins in the celebrations of April 25

The FCT will promote a series of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of April 25, 1974. Through these activities, carried out in partnership with the 50 Years of April 25 Commemorative Commission, FCT is making its contribution to marking this important milestone in the history of Portugal, namely the role of science, technology, and innovation in all areas of knowledge for the consolidation of democracy in our country.

One of the initiatives included in this program is the Call research projects entitled "April 25 and Portuguese Democracy," launched in November 2023, for which applications are currently being reviewed. Aimed at funding projects in the social sciences and humanities related to this period in our history, it received a total of 78 applications. The results will be announced shortly.

In addition to funding research projects, the other actions planned by FCT as part of these celebrations are based on disseminating the historical legacy associated with the April 25 Revolution, contributing to its preservation and knowledge. Arquivo.pt, which has been preserving archived information from the web since 1996, will promote, from April 10, 2024, the online exhibition "Arquivo.pt: Memories of April 25 on the Internet." NAU, a platform for online education and training for large audiences, has proposed to host a course on the Carnation Revolution, which it plans to develop with the Mission Structure for the Commemorations, together with partner entities, by the end of this year. On May 2, between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., FCT will also participate in the International Congress "50 Years of April 25," to be held at the Rectory of the University of Lisbon, with a presentation of Arquivo.pt and NAU (both digital services managed and provided by FCT) and their connections to the commemorations.

The 2025 edition of the Arquivo.pt Award (which annually rewards innovative works based on historical information preserved by Arquivo.pt) will continue these celebrations by including a special mention for "April 25 and Democracy." More detailed information about this special mention will be released in early May.