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FCT launches InovIA - Vouchers for Innovation program

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The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) launches the program InovIA - Vouchers for Innovationa new advanced computing program that aims to democratize access to state-of-the-art supercomputers, such as Deucalion and MareNostrum 5, for Startups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Aware that the adoption of technologies such as supercomputing and artificial intelligence can be decisive for the success of innovative projects, the FCT aims to eliminate the main obstacles faced by companies, namely the lack of technical knowledge and the high costs of advanced computing infrastructures.

The InoVIA program was created to eliminate these barriers and provide free and easy access to advanced computing resources, making it possible for startups and SMEs to have an environment for experimenting and testing high-performance solutions, without the initial costs normally associated with investing in this technology.

The application submission period is permanently open until December 31, 2026.

The aim of this program is to ensure that companies are able to fully exploit the potential of these resources, optimizing processes, developing new products and improving competitiveness in the market.

This program represents an important step in strengthening the link between science, technology and the national business fabric, consolidating the national strategy of digital transition and knowledge-based innovation.

Who can apply and how?

The program is open to national startups and SMEs, as well as public and private entities based in Portugal. Projects must have a clear focus on innovation and be in the pre-commercial phase.

The application process will be quick and uncomplicated, allowing companies to start taking advantage of these resources and accelerating their technological projects in just a few weeks.

The application takes four simple steps:
i) Registration - fill in the online form (available in Portuguese and English);
ii) Assessment - administrative and technical verification within 5 working days;
iii) Approval - issuing the voucher and signing the terms of acceptance;
iv) Access - creating an account on Deucalion or MareNostrum 5.

Each initial voucher grants 50,000 CPU core hours, 1,000 GPU hours and 1 TB of storage, with a duration of 6 months. It is also possible to request additional resources, subject to further evaluation. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and the applicant must be available to start the project within three months of approval.

Like FCT's already popular Advanced Computing Project Calls , this program is managed by FCCN's Advanced Computing team, FCT's Digital Services Unit.

For more information, see the Call page or send an email to: computacao-avancada@fccn.pt.

 

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Published on May 5, 2025 | Updated on June 5, 2025