Unit Assessment 2017/2018

The FCT opened today the application period for the 2017/2018 R&D Unit Evaluationforfunding during the period2019-2022, by making the R&D Unit Register available on the Science and Technology Portal.The Call onJanuary 31, 2018.

The evaluation is based on the Regulation on the Evaluation and Multi-Year Funding 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's Reflection Group on Science and Technology Evaluation. This evaluation follows on from those carried out in 1996, 2000, 2007, and 2013.

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

The FCT will also support the hiring of around 400 PhD researchers by R&D units between 2019 and 2022. This hiring will complement the Calls for individual applications from PhD researchers to be opened by the FCT, support for institutional plans for scientific employment and scientific career development, and hiring through R&D projects.

The evaluation of R&D units aims to develop and enhance the National Scientific and Technological System (SCTN) in all areas of knowledge, and to strengthen and densify it across the country. There are plans to expand the areas of evaluation, with specific evaluation panels, in thematic areas of particular strategic relevance or linked to technical activity sectors, which were not considered in previous evaluation exercises. The specialization of the evaluation of R&D units by scientific and thematic areas is being resumed and expanded, with the provision of more than 40 Evaluation Panels from foreign institutions.

The assessment of scientific quality and the analysis of the relevance, merit, and timeliness of the activity carried out by researchers associated with the R&D Unit's application will prioritize quality over quantity without consideration of the respective quality. Institutional diversity is considered a factor in the development and enrichment of the SCTN, and therefore the consideration of diverse organizational models that ensure the effective use of human resources, technical means, and infrastructure, and that reinforce Portugal's international standing, is encouraged.