National Delegation visits São Paulo to concretize scientific collaboration with FAPESP

A delegation of representatives from Portuguese research centers is in S. Paulo to prepare the opening of Calls for collaborative projects to be supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Foundation for Research Support of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP). This visit materializes the intentions expressed in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by FCT and FAPESP in October 2013.

The priority areas identified for this first phase of implementation of the Memorandum are Marine Sciences, Health and Biotechnology, Information and Communication Technologies and Renewable Energy. FCT has therefore launched an invitation to national research centers to participate in visits to institutions indicated by FAPESP, in order to prepare the opening of Calls in these four areas. It is in this context that both institutions are committed to identifying concrete opportunities for cooperation between the R&D communities of Portugal and Brazil, namely by promoting the development of joint research projects, training of human resources and the organization of scientific meetings, workshops and symposia, among other initiatives.

The delegation from Portugal, led by FCT President Miguel Seabra, includes representatives from 10 national centers in Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra and Lisbon who, between May 7 and 9, will visit centers at the University of São Paulo (USP), the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the São Paulo State University (UNESP).

The first agreement established between FCT and FAPESP was in 1991 with the former JNICT, and supported individual Doctorate missions between 1992 and 2008, through Calls permanently open. The new agreement foresees support for joint projects and not only individual missions.