R&D investment plans to reach 3% of GDP by 2030

The Council of Ministers' resolution was published today with the strategic guideline for total R&D spending to reach 3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, compared to total R&D spending of 1.62% of GDP in 2020, when private spending accounted for 57% of the total. It also includes the European guideline for public spending to rise to 1% of GDP, while private spending should rise to 2% of GDP (compared to 2020 figures of 0.66% of GDP for public spending and 0.96% of GDP for private spending).

The stability and predictability of funding through science and technology programming makes it possible to stimulate 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 in conjunction with the reform and modernization of mechanisms to support the demand for and supply of knowledge through R&D activities. It includes support for innovation and the promotion of scientific culture, in order to continue to strengthen and modernize the national scientific and technological capacity, accelerate the dual digital and climate transition and evolve the interface relations between the supply and demand of knowledge, stimulating the restructuring of the knowledge-based economy and the creation of qualified jobs, as well as scientific, social and environmental robustness. This legal framework achieves an objective expressed in the program of the XXII Constitutional Government and already ensures 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 underway since 2016 and is intended to be strengthened by 2030. It also includes the reforms contracted with the EC under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), 2021-2026, regarding the growth in the level of public and private investment in R&D and guarantees the implementation of a legal framework in accordance with EC Communication COM(2020) 628 of September 30, 2020 and, in particular, with Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/2122 of November 26, 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