Promote Program supports development of the interior regions

FCT and la Caixa Foundation have announced the results of the 3rd edition of the Promote Program, through which 10 pilot projects, 6 innovative ideas and 3 mobilizing research and development (R&D) projects were selected for funding. The joint allocation of non-refundable support exceeds 2.5 million euros and results from the agreement signed on June 17, 2020 between the two institutions, in which the FCT undertakes to match the value of the resources that the "la Caixa" Foundation will allocate to the winning projects.

In addition to Call aimed at innovative pilot projects and Call of ideas for students from higher education institutions, the partnership with FCT has resulted in the opening of a new line of support for mobilizing R&D projects, aimed at promoting research, technological development and innovation in strategic areas defined by the Portuguese government for the valorization of inland regions, including: thermal waters, parks and natural reserves, studies on biological risks and the development, promotion and valorization of new crops and natural products for the national and international market.

In total, sixty-eight pilot project applications were received, an increase of more than 50% compared to 2019, fourteen idea proposals, and sixteen applications to the new mobilizing R&D project line.

After evaluating the applications submitted to the two lines of projects, based on criteria of quality, innovation, impact on the territory, sustainability and development potential, the jury of the Promove Program selected ten pilot projects and three R&D projects mobilizing research centers, distributed across the North, Center and Alentejo regions. Six ideas presented by students from universities or polytechnics in the North, Center and Alentejo regions were also selected, based on criteria related to their quality and feasibility, degree of innovation and potential contribution to the territory's development.

Created in 2018, the Promove Program aims to stimulate innovative initiatives in strategic areas for the development of Portugal's inland regions, in order to contribute to the sustainable development of these regions. In the 2018 and 2019 editions, this program selected 13 innovative pilot projects and 7 ideas from students from science and higher education institutions located in the covered areas, with a total investment of around 1.4 million euros.

Attachments:
List of winning projects