FCT Partnerships with "la Caixa" Foundation support over 40 research projects

The 2022 editions of the programs and initiatives to support research under the collaboration framework agreement between FCT and the "la Caixa" Foundation resulted in the selection of 40 more research projects, which mean an investment of 13 million euros for Portuguese researchers and institutions. Earlier this year, the two institutions signed a collaboration framework agreement that strengthened this partnership, which began in 2018, and was renewed for another three years.

Two initiatives and two support programs are part of this partnership, namely:

- Iberian Biomedical Research and Innovation Initiative - i4b: through the CaixaResearch Health Research Programme, it focuses on supporting R&D projects in biomedicine and health, with the aim of identifying and promoting the most promising initiatives, of greater scientific excellence and with more potential value and social impact, whether in the field of fundamental, clinical or translational research. In the 2022 edition, 33 projects were selected for funding, 13 of which were led by Portuguese institutions and researchers [3 in the North, 2 in the Center, 7 in Lisbon and Tagus Valley (LVT), and 1 in the South], for a total investment of almost 9 million euros (2.3 million euros funded by FCT).

The sixth edition of this initiative is open from September 20th to November 15th. More information about this Call can be found here.

- Iberian Initiative for Social Research and Innovation - i4s: through the Social Research Calls, it aims to support social research projects based on quantitative data that stand out for their excellence and that, through an original and innovative approach, generate robust and solid information that allows for an in-depth understanding of the present and future social challenges of Spain and/or Portugal. In the 2022 edition, 13 innovative social research projects of excellence were supported, 3 of which were led by Portuguese institutions and researchers (1 in the North, 2 in LVT), for a joint investment of about 275 thousand euros (90 thousand euros funded by FCT).

- Promove Program: this program supports projects (Mobilizing R&D and Innovative Pilot Projects) and innovative ideas that contribute to the sustainable development of Portugal's inland regions. In the 2022 edition, 29 proposals were selected: 13 Pilot-Projects (5 in the North, 6 in the Center, 2 in the South), 7 Mobilizing R&D Projects (2 for the North, 4 for the Center and 1 for the South) and 9 Innovative Ideas, for a joint investment of 3.5 million euros for the two types of projects - with which FCT is associated - (1.2 million euros financed by FCT).

- Validate Program: aims to support early stage biomedical research projects (TRL 1-4) to help them validate their assets and define the respective valorization plan launched by the "la Caixa" Foundation in 2017 and with the collaboration of the FCT in its 8th edition for the first time. In the 2022 edition, 15 projects were selected, 8 of which in the area of New Therapies and 7 in MedTch, 4 of which are led by Portuguese institutions and researchers, with a maximum joint investment of 400,000 euros (100,000 euros funded by the FCT).

The various Calls under this collaboration have in common the principle of matching funds, through which the FCT matches, whenever possible, the contribution of the "la Caixa" Foundation to research projects with national participation.

Through this unique and multidisciplinary partnership, aimed at supporting and stimulating new research and innovation activities and the positioning of Portugal in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe, since 2018, 95 projects led by national institutions or researchers have already been funded by FCT and "la Caixa" Foundation, in a joint investment of more than 40 million euros.