R&D investment schedule expects to reach 3% of GDP in 2030

The resolution of the Council of Ministers was published today with the strategic guidance for total expenditure on R&D to reach 3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2030, compared to a total expenditure on R&D of 1.62% of GDP in 2020, when private expenditure represented 57% of the total. It also includes the guidance established at European level for public expenditure to reach 1% of GDP, while private expenditure should reach 2% of GDP (compared to 2020 figures of 0.66% of GDP for public expenditure and 0.96% of GDP for private expenditure).

Stability and predictability of funding through science and technology programming helps to boost the confidence of public and private actors, encouraging private investment. in R&D activities and institutional cooperation between companies, the productive, social and cultural fabric in general and R&D institutions, recognizing their social, economic and cultural impact. Thus, the resolution published today deepens and updates the implementation of the guidelines for a technological and business innovation strategy for Portugal 2018-2030, approved by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 25/2018, of March 8.

This resolution enshrines the European terms of reference together with the reform and modernization of mechanisms to support the demand and supply of knowledge through R&D activities. Includes the support for innovation and the promotion of scientific culture, in order to continue to strengthen and modernize national scientific and technological capacity, accelerate the dual digital and climate transition and evolve in the interface relations between supply and demand for knowledge, stimulating the restructuring of the economy based on knowledge and the creation of qualified jobs, as well as scientific, social and environmental robustness. This regulatory framework implements an objective expressed in the program of the XXII Constitutional Government and ensures, from now on, the implementation of the specific recommendations of the European Commission (EC) of 2018 and 2019 on Portugal, namely on national investment in research and innovation.

In these terms, the resolution published today encourages the continuity of the convergence process with Europe, which has been ensured since 2016 and is intended to be strengthened until 2030. It also includes the reforms contracted with the EC within the scope of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), 2021-2026, regarding the growth in the level of public and private investment in R&D and ensures the implementation of a legal framework in accordance with EC Communication COM(2020) 628 of 30 September 2020 and, in particular, with Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/2122 of 26 November 2021 for a Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe, in order to ensure Portugal's effective participation in the European Research Area.

Council of Ministers Resolution No. 186/2021
PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Approves the public investment program in research and development for 2021-2030