Call R&D Projects 2017 supports more than 1,600 new projects with 375 million euros

Within the scope of Call of R&D Projects of 2017, support has been confirmed for 1,618 applications through the joint effort of FCT, COMPETE2020 and the Regional Operational Programs of Portugal2020, for a total value of around 375 million euros for the next 3 years .

The FCT recognizes the slowness that has been associated with communicating the results of the Call over the last few months, but also recognizes the collective effort of the FCT services, COMPETE2020 and the Regional Operational Programs, which facilitated the significant reinforcement of the initially planned budget allocation of just 110 million euros (which would allow financing just 460 projects). This is effectively the largest funding ever allocated in R&D project Calls in Portugal .

The volume of funding now made available will allow a success rate of around 50% of the 3,300 applications considered eligible and around 35% of the total number of applications submitted in 2017 (i.e. 4,593 applications).

The FCT also notes that the decision-making process and communication of the results of the Call has been particularly complex because it involves seven different institutions and interlocutors, implying their sequential intervention (see diagram ). The phased communication of results is a consequence of this process, having started on February 9th and should be completed during the month of April. As of today, the results of approximately half of the applications approved for funding are being communicated .

The FCT also notes that the existence of several sources of funding does not affect the final result of the Call . Funding is awarded in order of merit of projects according to the ranking made in each of the 33 evaluation panels organized by the FCT. The success rate of eligible applications is similar across all panels and for all subject areas .

Communication of results

Researchers Responsible for applications must access Balcão2020 as soon as they receive communication of the proposed decision from the Managing Authority (AG) of the Operational Programs. There you can find the AG's decision and the FCT's technical opinion, which includes the justification for the approval or rejection of the application for funding.

The preliminary hearing period begins immediately after communication, through Balcão2020, except for projects eligible for Call , but not eligible for Portugal2020 funding. The Researchers Responsible for these projects must await communication of the decision by the FCT.