Protocol between FCT and the Directorate-General for Health for the financing of Research Programs on Cardiovascular Diseases

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Directorate-General for Health (DGS)/National Program for Cerebrovascular Diseases (PNDCCV) signed a protocol at the beginning of December with a view to integrating national participation in the ERA-NET Cofund ERA-CVD network – Research Programs in Cardiovascular Diseases, under the Horizon 2020 Program.

Cerebrovascular diseases, namely stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) or ischemic heart disease (IHD), are the leading causes of death in Portugal and currently constitute one of the main public health problems in the country. As such, combating these diseases is considered a priority by the Ministry of Health through the PNDCCV, implemented by the DGS.

The impact on public health and, consequently, the social and economic impact that cerebrovascular diseases have on Portugal justify special attention and investment in the discovery of new therapies and technologies that improve efficiency in combating these diseases. In this regard, it is hoped that this institutional cooperation between the FCT and the DGS will contribute to better supporting the national scientific community that conducts research in the field of cardiovascular diseases, resulting in the promotion and advancement of scientific knowledge and technological development.

This partnership will be implemented through the joint funding of projects coordinated by or involving Portugal, selected within the scope of joint Calls launched by ERA-CVD, the European network that aims to fund transnational research and development (R&D) projects in cardiovascular research. It should be noted that the first ERA-CVD Call , in 2016, opened this January, with a view to selecting research projects in the field of heart failure for funding.