PT Space promotes Space Science and Technology Innovation Award

The Portuguese Space Agency - Portugal Space (PT Space) is promoting the Innovation Award in Space Sciences and Technologies for the first time. This award aims to publicly distinguish a project or initiative by a Portuguese entity, in the space field, that stands out for its innovative nature in the sector, as well as for its applicability, viability and impact.

Eligible projects/initiatives can cover various areas of space sciences and technologies, from planetary sciences to medicine and space exploration, to space transportation, among others. Their development must come from Portuguese entities such as companies, research centers, higher education institutions, public administration bodies, or others that belong to the framework of space organizations in which Portugal participates.

The identification of projects/initiatives as potential candidates is open to the public, with the first phase of the selection process involving the nomination of worthy projects and initiatives by the entities themselves or by anyone who, knowing the project and/or initiative, considers it worthy of distinction. Subsequently, the Portuguese Space Agency will make a pre-selection from among the nominees and the winner will be chosen by a jury, based on an assessment of the degree of innovation, applicability and impact of the selected projects. The submission of proposals for potential candidates by the public is open until February 25, 2022, and must be done using the registration form available on the PT Space website. Additional information about the prize and the eligible projects/initiatives is available in the regulations.

This award is intended to recognize the work of entities operating in this sector, as well as to make it known to the public. The symbolic prize will be awarded on March 18th, the date of the Agency's 3rd anniversary. Founded and financed in part by the Foundation for Science and Technology, PT Space is responsible for implementing the National Strategy for Space, as well as managing, together with FCT, the funds of ESA, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the SKA Observatory (SKAO) and representing Portugal in these international organizations. FCT, which for more than two decades has been the main source of funding for the Portuguese industrial and academic space sector, also chairs the General Meeting Board of PT Space.