The FCT announced today the provisional results of the 2024 competition, which sees an increase of approximately four million euros compared to the 2023 edition.
In the 2023 competition, 403 exploratory research projects across all scientific domains were approved, representing an FCT investment of about 20 million euros.
For the 2024 edition, where applications were submitted between December 19, 2024, and February 25, 2025, the maximum amount allocated to each selected project has increased from 50,000 to 60,000 euros.
A total of 2,529 applications out of 2,547 submitted were accepted for evaluation, with an approval rate of 16%.
The results announced today may be contested by interested candidates in a preliminary hearing before becoming final.
Most of the projects, which may benefit from computing time on the Deucalion and MareNostrum 5 supercomputers, are led by female scientists.
This annual competition for exploratory projects across all scientific domains aims to “promote innovative ideas.”
Under the Government’s purview, the FCT is the main entity subsidizing scientific research in Portugal, providing direct support to projects.
Last week, the government approved the creation of the new Agency for Research and Innovation, which will replace the FCT and the National Innovation Agency (ANI).
The Government expects the new agency to eliminate “current redundancies between the ANI and the FCT, with clear operational and administrative gains, for example in terms of platforms, human resources, and funding systems.”
The Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, assured that funding for science will be maintained with stability and predictability.
