The government has announced the dissolution of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the National Innovation Agency (ANI), with plans to establish a new entity named the Agency for Research and Innovation. Frederico Gama Carvalho expressed concerns, stating this was a “unilateral decision by the government without consulting representatives of scientific workers”.
This move is part of the recently approved reform of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation.
Carvalho, a leader of the Organization of Scientific Workers, indicated that it is too soon to evaluate the impact of this decision on the country. He highlighted existing issues of “underfunding and job insecurity for research and higher education teaching staff”.
“These are fundamental issues that remain unresolved and are worsening. The increase in the number of researchers has not been matched by increased funding for the hosting institutions,” he explained.
In response, the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, assured that despite the dissolution of the FCT, science funding would be safeguarded through a four-year financial plan to ensure stability and predictability, and continue supporting basic research.
The FCT, currently under government jurisdiction, is the leading entity funding scientific research in Portugal, primarily through scholarships, employment contracts, and direct support to institutions and projects.
The government aims with the new Agency for Research and Innovation to eliminate “current redundancies between ANI and FCT, leading to operational and administrative benefits, especially concerning platforms, human resources, and funding systems”.
According to the Ministry, this agency is designed to provide “more personalized and effective support to researchers, companies, startups, and entities within the national scientific and technological system” and “achieve more cohesive management of national and European funds”.
“This model is already implemented in other EU countries, where it has strengthened international presence and enhanced coordination with various European programs,” the Ministry explained in a statement.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated that if he has “any doubts whatsoever” regarding the dissolution of the FCT, he will ask the government to reconsider its policy and could potentially veto it if the executive persists.
ZO (ER/TYRS/MCA) // PSC
Lusa/Fim
