Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT)

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) is the Portuguese national funding agency that supports science, technology and innovation, in all scientific domains, under responsibility of the Ministry for Education and Science. FCT started its activity in August 1997, succeeding the Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (JNICT).

FCT pursues its mission by funding fellowships, studentships and research contracts for scientists, research projects, internationally competitive research centres and state-of-the-art infrastructures, via competitive calls with international peer-review. FCT ensures Portugal’s participation in international scientific organisations, fosters the participation of the scientific community in international projects and promotes knowledge transfer between R&D centres and industry. Working closely with international organisations, FCT coordinates public policy for the Information and Knowledge Society in Portugal and ensures the development of national scientific computing resources.