FCT approved the establishment of nine more CoLABs

The FCT announced the results of the fourth evaluation exercise of Call the recognition and award of the title of Collaborative Laboratory (CoLAB), in which nine more collaborative laboratories were approved (see list). A total of 35 CoLABs have now been approved. See the summary document of the 35 CoLABs approved after four rounds of evaluation.

 The new CoLABs are Healthy Ageing@LAB, HyLAB, AquaValor, Data CoLAB, S2AQUAcoLAB, 4LifeLab, BioScale, TRIALS, and KIPT, which reinforce the list of 26 existing CoLABs through the development of agendas focused on innovative products and services in the areas of aging, green hydrogen, water technology valuation and transfer, data-driven innovation services, sustainable and smart aquaculture, knowledge and technology for better health, promotion of drug translation and discovery, transfer of research to a society with advanced leadership, and knowledge to innovate professions in tourism.

The new CoLABs have 90 days after the decision to award the title to establish themselves as private non-profit associations or companies, promoting collaboration between science, technology, and higher education institutions and the economic and social fabric, namely companies, the hospital and health system, cultural institutions, and social organizations. CoLABs aim to create, directly and indirectly, high added-value jobs in Portugal through the implementation of research and innovation agendas geared towards creating economic and social value.

The Call for the CoLAB title is permanently open. The next round of evaluation will consider applications submitted by November 12, 2021.