Promove program supports development of inland regions

FCT and the "la Caixa" Foundation have announced the results of the 3rd edition of the Promove Program, through which 10 pilot projects, 6 innovative ideas and 3 mobilizing research and development (R&D) projects were selected for funding. The joint allocation of non-repayable grants exceeds 2.5 million euros and is the result of the agreement signed on June 17, 2020 between the two institutions, in which the FCT undertakes to match the amount of resources that the "la Caixa" Foundation allocates to the winning projects.

In addition to the Call for innovative pilot projects and the Call for ideas for students from higher education institutions, the partnership with FCT has resulted in the opening of a new line of support for mobilizing R&D projects, which aims to promote research, technological development and innovation in strategic areas defined by the Portuguese government for the enhancement of inland regions, including: thermal waters, parks and nature reserves, studies on biological risks and the development, promotion and enhancement of new crops and natural products for the national and international market.

In total, sixty-eight applications for pilot projects were received, an increase of more than 50% compared to 2019, fourteen proposals for ideas and sixteen applications for the new line of mobilizing R&D projects.

After evaluating the applications submitted to the two lines of projects, based on criteria of quality, innovation, impact on the territory, sustainability and development potential, the Promove Program jury selected ten pilot projects and three R&D projects mobilizing research centers, spread across the North, Centre and Alentejo regions. Six ideas submitted by students from universities or polytechnics in the North, Center and Alentejo were also selected, based on criteria related to their quality and feasibility, degree of innovation and potential contribution to the development of the territory.

Created in 2018, the Promove Program aims to stimulate innovative initiatives in strategic areas for the development of Portugal's inland regions, in order to contribute to their sustainable development. In the 2018 and 2019 editions, this program selected 13 innovative pilot projects and 7 student ideas from science and higher education institutions located in the areas covered, with a total investment of around 1.4 million euros.

Annexes:
List of winning projects