First evaluation of the Academic Clinical Centers

FCT has extended until April 11, 2022 the deadline for submitting applications for the first external and international evaluation of Clinical Academic Centers (CAC), which have been open since January 10. This evaluation process aims to guarantee the implementation of the best international practices in the development of the joint activity of its members. The budget allocated to this first evaluation and funding program is 1.8 million euros, with a limit of 200,000 euros to be awarded to each CAC.

The external evaluation of the CACs is coordinated by the FCT, which has delegated the carrying out of the evaluation process to the Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation (AICIB) together with the Central Administration of the Health System, I.P. (ACSS), in close coordination with the Agency for the Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES), the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) and after hearing the National Council of Clinical Academic Centers (CNCAC).

The CACs are made up of healthcare units, research and development (R&D) units and organic units of higher education institutions, with evaluation and multi-annual funding geared towards joint activities and close collaboration between all the members of each CAC.

There are currently nine CACs in operation in Portugal, two in Lisbon and Porto, and one each in Coimbra, Braga, Covilhã, the Algarve and Aveiro. All CACs set up by the beginning of March can apply to this program and the external evaluation will be carried out at four-year intervals. An independent Evaluation Panel, made up of evaluators of internationally recognized merit and competence, will evaluate the applications and draw up the overall ranking and funding proposal. Applications will be assessed on the basis of 3 criteria: a) merit of institutional articulation; b) value of collaboration; and c) collaborative organization.

CACs that obtain an overall rating of "Very Good", "Good" or "Adequate" can be proposed for funding, when justified in a specific proposal from the evaluation panel. The application of the evaluation criteria and the decision-making process for proposing the outcome of the evaluation and possible funding are described in the Evaluation Guide, following the principles defined in the Regulation.

More information:
FCT - R&D Units - Clinical Academic Centers