FCT announces provisional results of Call Exploratory Research Projects 2024

On August 6, the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) announced the provisional results of Call Exploratory Research Projects in all scientific fields 2024, representing an investment of around €24 million, supported by national funds through the FCT budget, constituting a 20% increase compared to Calls .

In this edition, 400 exploratory research projects (PEX) will be supported, lasting 18 months and with a maximum funding amount updated to €60,000 per project, an increase of more than €10,000 compared to Calls , without reducing the total number of projects supported.

The provisional success rate of Call at 16% in relation to the number of applications accepted. The projects recommended for funding are spread across various scientific fields: Medical and Health Sciences (24.4%), Engineering and Technology (19.5%), Natural Sciences (16%), Social Sciences (15.8%), Exact Sciences (12%), Agricultural Sciences (8.2%), and Humanities (6.5%).

Most projects are led by female researchers (around 57%). Of the total number of researchers, 13.5% are foreign nationals, representing 17 different nationalities, who work in research centers based in Portugal and are responsible for coordinating 54 selected projects.

This edition continues the innovations introduced in Call , being the second to apply the fixed-amount funding model. With this model, funding is no longer dependent on the submission of expenses and is now based on the evaluation of the scientific deliverables defined in the application, significantly simplifying administrative processes and reinforcing the focus on the scientific results achieved. The narrative CV system is also maintained, promoting a more qualitative and comprehensive assessment of researchers' academic and professional backgrounds.

Funded projects may also benefit from computing time on the DeucalionandMareNostrum 5 supercomputers, without the need for additional scientific evaluation or reduction of the allocated funding.

Applications were accepted between December 19, 2024, and February 25, 2025, with 2,547 proposals submitted, of which 2,529 were accepted for evaluation, in accordance with the Notice of the Call. The evaluation process involved 33 scientific panels and included the participation of 446 experts affiliated with foreign institutions from 34 countries.

Details of the results of each application are available on the myFCT platform. Applicants who wish to make a statement at a preliminary hearing may do so within the regulatory deadlines. After this phase, the final set of projects to be funded will be announced.