Session: “25 years of FCT in Science: Scientific Employment and Scientific Careers”

Today, March 31, the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) is holding the third scientific conference of the program commemorating the 25th anniversary of the FCT in Coimbra, under the theme "Scientific Employment and Scientific Careers" (see program). The session will take place in the Auditorium of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra, between 2:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and will be attended by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, Elvira Fortunato. The session will be broadcast live on the FCT's 25th Anniversary Celebrations page.

The session will open with speeches by the Chair of the FCT Governing Board, Helena Pereira, and the Rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão. Various perspectives on the topic of scientific employment in Portugal and other countries will be discussed, and there will also be a panel discussion on the topic of scientific careers. The session will be closed by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education.

In 2018, FCT implemented the Scientific Employment Stimulus Program with the aim of strengthening the National Science and Technology System (SNCT) and promoting employment opportunities for PhD holders. This program is implemented through the Scientific Employment Calls – Individual (CEEC Individual) and Scientific Employment Stimulus – Institutional (CEEC Institutional) Calls .

These Calls as instruments for financing the hiring of researchers and are defined by the Scientific Employment Regulations published in 2017 by the FCT, following the publication of Decree-Law No. 57/2016. They are intended for PhD researchers of any nationality, in all areas of knowledge, who wish to carry out their scientific research or technological development activities at institutions that are part of the SNCT.

With four editions completed, the Call CEEC Individual Call has awarded a total of 1,536 contracts to date, Call easier to integrate new PhD graduates on an ongoing and systematic basis, who identify in advance the host institution where they will carry out their research plan. The CEEC Institutional has already enabled the awarding of 717 contracts to PhD researchers and is aimed at institutions or networks composed of several entities, with a view to supporting Scientific Employment and Scientific Career Development plans by Higher Education Institutions, State Laboratories, and other scientific institutions, whether public or private.

More information on page 25 years of FCT.