Preparação de Missões Regionais - I &D Ciência - Projeto em Copromoção

The main goal of this opportunity is to bring together research and innovation organizations in the Azores to develop collaborative solutions for regional societal challenges. The focus is on mapping research areas with commercial potential, assessing their maturity, and creating a catalog that links local needs to available scientific and technological capabilities. Projects should drive systemic change and improve the lives of citizens in the Azores. This grant specifically supports non-business research entities operating within the region.

• Must be led by a non-business entity from the Azores Scientific and Technological System (SCTA).
• Should focus on applied research and innovation, with only up to 10% of work plan for auxiliary upstream research.
• Must align with Azores 2030 strategic goals and the RIS3 Azores 2022-2027 strategy, and respect environmental and accessibility principles.
• Project total costs must be between €200,000.01 and €411,764.00, with a maximum of 85% co-financing.
• Submission must be as a co-promotion (consortium), with a signed agreement within three months of acceptance.
• Projects must achieve a final merit score of at least 3.00 based on strategic fit, impact, execution capacity, and quality.

Example projects:

• A consortium of local universities and research centers mapping renewable energy research lines in the Azores and their commercial readiness.
• A partnership between a public research institute and a regional hospital developing a catalog of health innovation needs and available solutions.
• A group of SCTA entities collaborating to identify and align marine science research with regional blue economy challenges.

• Salaries and wages for staff dedicated to R&D activities
• Travel expenses within the region and nationally, directly related to the project
• Purchase of goods and services directly needed for project execution
• Indirect costs calculated at a fixed rate of 7% of total eligible direct costs

Restrictions: Only costs directly attributable to the project are eligible. All expenses must comply with program guidelines and eligibility rules.

• Total budget of the grant: €350,000
• Co-financing rate: up to 85% of eligible expenses
• Maximum per project: €411,764
• Minimum per project: €200,000.01
• Maximum project duration: 18 months

Payments are made as reimbursements for actual, paid expenses. Projects must adhere to public procurement rules and meet merit and publicity requirements to avoid funding reductions.

• Applicant must be a non-business entity from the Azores Scientific and Technological System (SCTA), as listed by the Azores Regional Government.
• Project must align with the Azores 2030 Strategy and RIS3 Azores 2022-2027, verified by the Quantitative Alignment Indicator (IQA).
• Application must be submitted as a co-promotion, led by an SCTA entity.
• All required documents must be complete, legible, signed, and submitted in non-editable formats.
• Project must include technical details, budget justification, and a timeline.
• Compliance with environmental and accessibility principles is required.
• Project must not have started before application submission.
• Total project cost must be between €200,000.01 and €411,764.00.
• Maximum project duration is 18 months, unless exceptionally justified and approved.
• A Responsible Investigator (IR) with a doctoral degree must be identified, have a contract with the lead entity, and be physically assigned to the project. The IR cannot coordinate another active Azores 2030 project.