FCT partnerships with the “la Caixa” Foundation support over 40 research projects

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

This partnership includes two initiatives and two support programs, namely:

– Iberian Initiative for Biomedical Research and Innovation – i4b: through the CaixaResearch Health Research Program, it focuses on supporting R&D projects in biomedicine and health, with the aim of identifying and promoting the most promising initiatives, with the highest scientific excellence and the greatest 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 Vale do Tejo (LVT), and 1 in the South], with a total investment of almost €9 million (€2.3 million funded by FCT).

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

– Iberian Initiative for Social Research and Innovation – i4s: through Social Research Calls, it aims to support social research projects based on quantitative data that stand out for their excellence and which, 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 facing 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), with a joint investment of around €275,000 (€90,000 financed by FCT).

– Promove Program: aimed at supporting 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, with a combined investment for both types of projects—to which the FCT is associated—of €3.5 million (€1.2 million financed by the FCT).

– Validate Program: aims to support early-stage biomedical research projects (TRL 1-4) to help them validate their assets and define their valuation plan. Launched by the “la Caixa” Foundation in 2017, this is the first time that the FCT has collaborated in its 8th edition. In the 2022 edition, 15 projects were selected, 8 of which in the area of New Therapies and 7 in MedTch, with 4 being led by Portuguese institutions and researchers, with a maximum joint investment of €400,000 (€100,000 financed by FCT).

The various Calls the scope of this collaboration have in common the principle of matching funds, whereby 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 Portugal's positioning in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe, since 2018, 95 projects led by national institutions or researchers have been funded by FCT and the "la Caixa" Foundation, with a joint investment of more than €40 million.