Funding for "RESEARCH 4 COVID-19" opens applications for 2nd edition

FCT, in collaboration with the Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation (AICIB), has opened the submission period for the 2nd edition of the RESEARCH 4 COVID-19 exceptional funding line for response to the current pandemic. Proposals can be submitted until 5pm (Lisbon time) on May 15, 2020.

This RESEARCH 4 COVID-19 support seeks to fund R&D projects and initiatives that respond to the needs of the National Health Service (SNS) in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, in a short period of time. In this 2nd edition, the aim is for the projects and initiatives to focus on the future evolution of the pandemic and its impact on health services and society, as well as optimizing the appropriate response to the pandemic at various levels.

This 2nd edition has a budget of 2 million euros, from national funds from the FCT budget. The support will mainly be used to complement ongoing initiatives and to refocus existing teams, taking advantage of existing scientific and technological capacity in Portugal with the ultimate aim of achieving results conducive to combating COVID-19. Each project can be funded up to a maximum of 40 thousand euros.

To be considered for funding, candidate R&D projects and initiatives will have to focus on one or more areas: prevention; preparedness for various phases of the pandemic; health studies and social vulnerabilities associated with confinement and lifting of confinement; epidemiological studies and evaluation of the transmission of infection; vaccine development; early diagnosis methods; algorithms for early detection of infection; immune response, immunopathology and immunogenetic factors; new therapies and therapeutic approaches; clinical studies and follow-up of infected individuals and risk groups; medical devices and equipment.

It should be remembered that the results of the first period of applications for RESEARCH 4 COVID-19 support were announced on April 20 (see news item), with 66 projects having been proposed for funding by the Evaluation Committee. Total support for the first phase amounted to 1.8 million euros and the list of approved projects can be found here.

More information on the 2nd edition at RESEARCH 4 COVID-19.