Regulations approved for the awarding of Collaborative Laboratory titles

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education has approved the Regulations for Awarding the title of Collaborative Laboratory (CoLAB). The regulations will come into force after their publication in the Official Gazette, and the first phase of Call for the recognition and awarding of the title of Collaborative Laboratory will begin in September.

Collaborative Laboratories shall be constituted as private non-profit associations or companies, made up of companies, research units, Associate Laboratories, higher education institutions, technology interface centers, and other intermediary institutions, technology centers, business associations, and other relevant partners from the productive, social, or cultural fabric, whether national or international, such as scientific institutions, state laboratories, local authorities and institutions associated with local organizations, hospitals and healthcare providers, museums, archives, or social institutions. Their main objective is to directly and indirectly create skilled and scientific employment in Portugal through the implementation of research and innovation agendas geared towards creating economic and social value.

CoLABs must respond to the challenge of densification of the national territory in terms of knowledge-based activities, through increasing consolidation of forms of 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.

The supporting documents for applications will be published on the FCT website after the regulations are published in the Official Gazette.