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FCT launches the InovIA program – Vouchers for Innovation

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The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) launches the InovIA – Vouchers for Innovation, a 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, FCT aims to eliminate the main obstacles faced by companies, namely the lack of technical knowledge and the high costs of advanced computing infrastructures.

TheInoVIA programwas created to eliminate these barriers and provide easy, free access to advanced computing resources, enabling 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 period is permanently open until December 31, 2026.

The goal of this program is to ensure that companies can 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 for digital transition and knowledge-based innovation.

Who can apply and how to apply?

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.

Theapplication processwill be quick and straightforward, allowing companies to start benefiting from these resources and accelerating their technology projects within a few weeks.

The application process consists of four simple steps:
i) Registration – completion ofonline form(available in Portuguese and English);
ii) Evaluation – administrative and technical verification within 5 business days;
iii) Approval – issuance of the voucher and signing of the terms of acceptance;
iv) Access – creation of 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, valid for six 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 applicants must be available to start the project within three months of approval.

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

For more information, please visit the Call pageor send an email to:computacao-avancada@fccn.pt.

 

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