National Delegation visits São Paulo to establish scientific collaboration with FAPESP

A delegation of representatives from Portuguese research centers is in São Paulo to prepare the launch of Calls collaborative projects to be supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). This visit is the result of 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 include Marine Sciences, Health and Biotechnology, Information and Communication Technologies, and Renewable Energy. The FCT has therefore invited national research centers to participate in visits to institutions indicated by FAPESP, in order to prepare for the opening of Calls four areas. It is in this context that both institutions are committed to identifying concrete opportunities for cooperation between the R&D communities in Portugal and Brazil, namely by promoting the development of joint research projects, the training of human resources, and the holding of scientific meetings, workshops, and symposiums, among other initiatives.

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

The first agreement between FCT and FAPESP was established in 1991 with the former JNICT, and supported individual doctoral missions between 1992 and 2008 through Calls . The new agreement provides support for joint projects and not just individual missions.