Regulations for the Evaluation of Units approved

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education has approved the Regulation on Multi-Year Evaluation and Funding of R&D Units for the 2017/2018 FCT evaluation. The regulation will come into force after its publication in the Official Gazette, with applications expected to be submitted in November.

The evaluation of R&D units aims to develop and enhance the National Scientific and Technological System in all areas of knowledge, strengthening it and increasing its territorial density. The overall quality rating and multi-year funding of R&D units to be determined by this exercise is based on the evaluation of activities carried out since the beginning of January 2013 and on the plan to be developed for the 5-year period.

Units with an overall rating of "Excellent," "Very Good," and "Good" will be eligible for financing covering two installments:

Basic funding, indexed to the overall classification of the unit and the weighting of PhD researchers working there;

Programmatic Funding, awarded based on a proposal from the respective evaluation panel, depending on the assessment of planned activities and the identification of specific needs, which may include: contribution to the salary costs of a multi-year plan for hiring researchers; support for a multi-year plan for Studentships ; contribution to support for the internationalization of the Unit, namely participation in European and international infrastructures and networks; other possible support, such as the acquisition of scientific equipment and infrastructure.

The supporting documents for applications will be published on the FCT website after the regulations are published in the Official Gazette.