"Scientific Institutions" is the theme of the 4th Session of the 25th anniversary of FCT

The celebration of FCT's 25th anniversary continues this month, on April 27, with the 4th scientific conference of the commemorative program, which is dedicated to Scientific Institutions (see program). The session will be held at ICBAS-Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, in Porto. Participation is free, but prior registration is required here. The event will be held in person, but will also be broadcast online.

Under the theme of Scientific Institutions, this meeting will address various topics such as the evolution of the national scientific system over the last 25 years; the financing of scientific institutions and regional strategies; the role of Collaborative Laboratories, State Laboratories, and Research and Development (R&D) Units in the national scientific system, technology, research, and innovation. The session will be opened by the Chair of the FCT Governing Board, Helena Pereira, and the Director of ICBAS, Henrique Cyrne Carvalho.

The program includes several presentations by national and international experts, namely António Cunha, Northern Regional Coordination Commission (CCDR Norte); Helena Alegre, National Civil Engineering Laboratory (LNEC); Joana Mendonça, National Innovation Agency (ANI); Vitor Corado Simões, Higher Institute of Economics and Management (ISEG); Phillipe Larrue, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); and Redouane Borsali, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). The meeting will also feature two discussion panels dedicated to the sub-themes "R&D Units and Associate Laboratories" and "Collaborative Laboratories," with the participation of representatives from various national scientific institutions. The closing remarks will be made by the Rector of the University of Porto, António Sousa Pereira, and the Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, Elvira Fortunato.

Scientific institutions, namely Collaborative Laboratories, Associate Laboratories, State Laboratories, and R&D Units, are essential pillars of the National Science and Technology System (SNCT), making it more competitive and modern, and contributing to the evolution, innovation, and dynamism of science, technology, and research. The research carried out at these institutions covers all scientific fields, namely: life and health sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, engineering and technology sciences, exact sciences, and natural and environmental sciences.

Further information is available on the celebrations program page, where videos of previous sessions held as part of the FCT's 25th anniversary are available, covering the following topics: "25 years of FCT in Science: Opportunities and Challenges," "Advanced Training and Doctorates," and "Scientific Employment and Scientific Careers."

Upcoming Sessions:

Science 2022: Encounter with Science and Technology, celebrating 25 years of FCT
May 16, 17, and 18, Lisbon
(Registration| Program to be announced soon)

25 years of FCT – Women in science
May 26, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Covilhã

R&D Activities and Projects
June 22, Vila Real

Sessions with date and location to be announced soon:

Open Science, Repositories, and Online Library
July, Braga

Summer with Science
August, Bragança

Scientific Culture and Living Science
September, Faro

Advanced Computing
October, Guimarães

November, Évora

The FCT and science in Portugal and Europe
December, Lisbon