Skip to main content

Support "RESEARCH 4 COVID-19" opens applications for the 2nd edition

FCT, in collaboration with the Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation (AICIB), has opened the period for submission of proposals to the 2nd edition of the exceptional funding line RESEARCH 4 COVID-19 for response to the current pandemic. The submission of proposals can be made until 17h00 (Lisbon time) of May 15th, 2020.

This RESEARCH 4 COVID-19 support seeks to fund R&D projects and initiatives that respond to the needs of the National Health Service (NHS) in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, in a short period of time. In this 2nd edition, the projects and initiatives are intended to focus on the future evolution of the pandemic and its impact on health services and society, as well as the optimization of the appropriate response to the pandemic at various levels.

This 2nd edition has a budget allocation of 2 million euros, from national funds from the FCT budget. The support will be mainly to complement ongoing initiatives and to redirect existing teams, taking advantage of the scientific and technological capacity existing in Portugal with the ultimate goal of achieving results leading to the fight against COVID-19. Each project can be funded up to a maximum of 40 thousand euros.

To be considered for funding, applicant R&D projects and initiatives will need to address one or several areas: prevention; preparedness for various phases of the pandemic; studies on health and social vulnerabilities associated with confinement and lifting confinement; epidemiological studies and evaluation of infection transmission; vaccine development; early diagnostic methods; early infection detection algorithms; immune response, immunopathology and immunogenetic factors; new therapies and therapeutic approaches; clinical studies and follow-up of infected individuals and risk groups; medical devices and equipment.

Remember that the results of the first application period for RESEARCH 4 COVID-19 support have already been announced last April 20th (see news), with 66 projects proposed for funding by the Evaluation Committee. The total support for the 1st phase was 1.8 million euros and the list of approved projects can be found here.

More information about the 2nd edition at RESEARCH 4 COVID-19.