FCT has updated the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures of Strategic Interest (RNIE)

Today, FCT released the updated publication of the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures of Strategic Interest (RNIE) . The first edition had been published in 2014, following the Call for its creation and included 40 infrastructures that received funding of 143.8 million euros for the period 2017-2021, of which 69% came from structural funds (ERDF).

Research infrastructures are essential elements of the National Science, Technology and Innovation System. They include platforms, resources and services available to the scientific community, offering large-scale equipment and other scientific instruments, collections, archives and data, computer systems and communication networks, promoting open digital access, with a view to stimulating excellence in research and technological development activities.

The 2020 update of the NREN presents the 16 new infrastructures integrated since April 2019 and systematises information on all 56 infrastructures that are now part of the Roadmap, including their description, activities and impact, as well as their links with Infrastructures or other organisations at European or global level.

The integration of the 16 new infrastructures into the RNIE was a government initiative, under the “Science Law”, DL 63/2019, and taking into account the opinions of the working groups of the 17 Thematic Agendas for Research and Innovation 2030 of the FCT, the reports of the international evaluation of the R&D Units and hearings of the institutions. The new Roadmap reflects the evolution of the national research and innovation ecosystem, the priorities of the National Reform Plan and public policies in the field of science and technology, especially those related to Space, Health, the Atlantic and Digital Skills. The Roadmap now includes infrastructure across six thematic domains: Energy, Environment, Health and Food, Physical Sciences and Engineering, Social and Cultural Innovation, and Digital Infrastructure.

The Infrastructure Roadmap is also an important instrument for the internationalization of Brazilian science. Most of the 56 infrastructures in the Roadmap are linked to the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) Roadmap or to other initiatives or organisations at European or global level.

FCT will continue to monitor the implementation of the National Roadmap infrastructures, including their impact on research, knowledge transfer and internationalization of science carried out in Portugal, through a Monitoring Committee with 31 experts from the scientific community, representing the six thematic domains of the Roadmap.

Publication is now available for consultation here .