FCT reinforces the FCT-Tenure program and launches the 7th edition of Call Individual Scientific Call

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) will add 100 positions to the first edition of the FCT-Tenure program, the FCT's first funding instrument to support the hiring of researchers exclusively in career positions. The current edition of this program now provides for the allocation of 1,100 positions, without prejudice to the number of positions to be opened in the second edition of the program.

The FCT-Tenure program, whose provisional results will be announced by August 14, 2024, will enable PhD graduates to pursue careers in both research and teaching, viewing the two careers through the lens of the scientific research activities they have in common, promoting strategic autonomy and rejuvenating the staff of institutions in the National Science and Technology System.

At the same time, on July 31, the FCT published the Notice of the Call for the 7th edition of Call Individual Scientific Employment, with the application period running from September 30 to November 29, 2024. The Call, under which 400 Scientific Employment contracts will be funded, supports the hiring of early-career researchers for a period of three years in junior and assistant positions.

In this way, and in accordance with international best practices, FCT reinforces incentives for hiring researchers for permanent positions, discourages long-term fixed-term contracts, and increases the number of positions available to the community in the short term.

In addition to these positions, there are 120 places allocated under the Call Institutional Associate Laboratory Call , currently in the contracting phase, and the ERC-Careers talent attraction and retention program. The last quarter of 2024 is also expected to mark the launch of the first edition of Call to support the hiring of PhD researchers in non-academic entities.

With these measures, FCT reinforces its commitment to the growth of Research & Innovation in Portugal through sustainable scientific employment policies, as well as by valuing the diversity of scientific paths and profiles of national researchers.