RESTART Programme applications

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) has opened applications for the first edition of the RESTART program, a new funding program aimed at researchers who have recently taken parental leave to pursue and develop an original and innovative research idea, with the possibility of associating other human and/or material resources, in accordance with the funding available and the expected execution time. This program has a budget allocation of €1.25 million, and applications can be submitted until March 30.

RESTART is a Call for individual R&D projects in all scientific fields, with a maximum amount of €50,000 and a duration of 18 months. This funding is aimed at all researchers who have recently taken parental leave, including for adoption, and seeks to bridge the gap in their research career by supporting the restart of their R&D activities. In line with public policies in this area, RESTART also covers, with specific eligibility conditions, cases of shared parental leave, which promote equality in caregiving and the sharing of family responsibilities and leave durations.

With the creation of this program, FCT, in line with its commitment to promoting the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge, based on high international standards of quality and competitiveness, aims to promote gender equality in R&D activities and careers, which is inseparable from equal opportunities for the entire national scientific community.

This new financing instrument is in line with the concerns and recommendations of the Council of the European Union and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on this matter, with Portugal becoming one of the pioneering countries to respond in this area.

New features introduced in this Call

This Call some new features compared to other FCT instruments. Namely,

1. A narrative CV system is adopted for a comprehensive and effective assessment of the careers of researchers working in Portugal. This system seeks to promote more qualitative, robust, and integrated assessment methodologies.
2. Introduction of a new evaluation criterion that specifically values the impacts of future research, contexts, and conditions in which it will be carried out, in the career development of researchers.
3. Simplification of procedures, both in terms of submitting applications and adopting a simplified management system after funding has been allocated.

The creation of this program was announced by FCT at the commemorative session of World Science Day and National Scientific Culture Day, held on November 24, 2022.

More information on the Call page