Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education present at the 25th anniversary session of the FCT

The 3rd session of the FCT 25th Anniversary Celebration Program , which took place yesterday, March 31, at the University of Coimbra under the theme “Scientific Employment and Scientific Careers”, was attended by the new Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Elvira Fortunato. In what was her first official act, after taking office as Minister on March 30, Elvira Fortunato made the closing speech of the session, in which she congratulated the FCT and praised its role and contribution to science in Portugal during these 25 years, in which it has been “financing and safeguarding the interests of scientific research carried out in Portugal”. He also mentioned that the aim is to continue to “place research carried out in Portugal even more at the center of the world, we increasingly have to investigate more and better”.

The event opened with speeches by the rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão, and the President of the FCT, Helena Pereira, who introduced the session and welcomed the participants. Then, the President of the FCT set the tone for the session, with a communication entitled “Scientific employment: characterization and evolution in the last 25 years”. In his speech, he highlighted the relevance of the FCT's work over these 25 years as “it has been a pillar of our scientific system, especially in the construction and strengthening of the national scientific system”. He also mentioned, regarding the fact of marking commemorative dates, that “it is good to always take stock with a view to the future and launch debates to exchange ideas with our community”, which led to the drawing up of the current program of celebrations, which will be present in various parts of the country with monthly sessions with the scientific and research community.

The President of the FCT also presented in this session the Atlas of Associate Laboratories ( Atlas of Associate Laboratories 2022 ), a publication that brings together information on the 40 institutions or consortia of institutions for the award of Associated Laboratories Status Associate Laboratory (THERE). It presents data on the area of activity of the LA, the work developed, the number of researchers with doctorates, among others, and is available online on the FCT publications page . Helena Pereira concluded her speech by addressing some data on the evolution of scientific employment and scientific careers, the different types of support that the FCT has made available over these 25 years, such as Studentships Doctorate or the Scientific Employment Stimulus program that is implemented through the Calls Stimulus to Scientific Employment – Individual (CEEC Individual) and Stimulus to Scientific Employment – Institutional (CEEC Institutional).

The event continued with three communications dedicated to the theme of the session, presented by Apostolia Karamali, from the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (EU), Mónica Bettencourt Dias, from the Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), and Cláudia Sarrico, from the Centre for Higher Education Policy Research (CIPES). The second part of the session opened with a round table, entitled “Scientific careers”, moderated by Tiago Santos Pereira, Principal Researcher at the Centre for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra, which included the participation of researchers and representatives from the business sector in the debate panel.

The video of this session remains available for viewing on the FCT YouTube page . The celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the FCT will continue with more sessions being held throughout the country, with the next one taking place during the month of April, in Porto, at a location and date to be announced and will revolve around the theme “Scientific Institutions”.

More information on the FCT 25th Anniversary Celebration Program page.