Regulation for awarding the titles of Collaborative Laboratory approved

The Regulation for the Awarding of the title of Collaborative Laboratory (CoLAB) was approved by the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education . The regulation will come into force after its publication in the Official Gazette, and the first phase of the Call , for the recognition and granting of the title of Collaborative Laboratory, will begin during the month of September.

Collaborative Laboratories must be established as non-profit private associations or companies, made up of companies, research units, Associate Laboratories , higher education institutions, technological interface centers and other intermediary institutions, technology centers, business associations and other relevant partners in the productive, social or cultural fabric, national or international, such as scientific institutions, State laboratories, local authorities and institutions associated with local organizations, hospital and health care units, museums, archives, or social institutions. Their main objective is to create, directly and indirectly, qualified employment and scientific employment in Portugal through the implementation of research and innovation agendas aimed at creating economic and social value.

CoLABs must respond to the challenge of densifying the national territory in terms of knowledge-based activities, through a growing 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 the applications will be published on the FCT website after the publication of the regulations in the Official Gazette.