Unit Evaluation 2017/2018

FCT opened today the application period for the Evaluation of R&D Units 2017/2018 for funding during the 2019-2022 period, by making the R&D Unit Register available on the Science and Technology Portal. The Call ends on January 31, 2018.

The evaluation is based on the Regulation for the Evaluation and Multiannual Financing of R&D Units, which is the result of a long process of discussion with the scientific and technological community and the recommendations of the FCT Reflection Group on the Evaluation of Science and Technology. This evaluation follows on from the exercises carried out in 1996, 2000, 2007 and 2013.

The indicative amount of funding is 400 million euros. In addition to this amount, FCT plans to fund 400 PhD Studentships per year through R&D Units. These Studentships will be in addition to those awarded through individual Calls and ongoing FCT PhD programs.

FCT will also support the hiring by R&D Units of around 400 PhD researchers in the period 2019-2022. This hiring will complement the annual Calls for individual applications from doctoral researchers to be opened by FCT, support for institutional plans for scientific employment and the development of scientific careers, and hiring through R&D projects.

The evaluation of R&D units is aimed at developing and enhancing the National Scientific and Technological System (SCTN) in all areas of knowledge, and at strengthening and densifying it across the country. It is planned to broaden the areas of evaluation, with its own evaluation panels, in thematic areas of particular strategic relevance or linked to sectors of technical activity, which were not considered in previous evaluation exercises. The specialization of the evaluation of R&D units by scientific and thematic areas will be resumed and extended, with more than 40 Evaluation Panels from foreign institutions planned.

The assessment of scientific quality and the analysis of the relevance, merit and timeliness of the activity carried out by the researchers associated with the R&D Unit's application will focus on quality rather than quantity. Institutional diversity is considered a factor in the development and enrichment of the SCTN, which is why consideration of different organizational models is encouraged to ensure good use of human resources, technical means and infrastructures, and to strengthen Portugal's international affirmation.