Provisional results of the 2nd edition of RESTART Programme

On December 23, FCT announced the provisional results of the second edition of the RESTART Program. One hundred applications were evaluated, and 32 projects were approved for funding, corresponding to a success rate of 32%.

This program supports R&D projects in all scientific fields (Exact Sciences and Engineering; Life and Health Sciences; Natural Sciences and Environment; Social Sciences and Humanities) and has total funding of €1,587,693.00.

The RESTART Programme to support the competitive return to research activities of researchers who have recently benefited from parental leave, including for adoption. Depending on the funding available and the expected duration of the project, there is also the possibility of associating other human and/or material resources.

In the careers of researchers, and with a greater incidence among female researchers in the early stages of their careers, parenthood creates additional challenges, with impacts ranging from scientific output to team and project management and fundraising, which can influence career prospects and research planning.

The objective of FCT with this program is to promote gender equality and equal opportunities in scientific research activities, with particular emphasis on female researchers working in national institutions.

This financing instrument is aligned with the concerns and recommendations of the Council of the European Union and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which aim to promote a better work-life balance for those engaged in R&D activities.

For more information, please refer to the Call page.