The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of Portugal is a public institute in the aegis of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education and is the main funding agency in Portugal for research. It was created in July 1997 on the basis of two ancestors from which it inherited functions, competences, and the tradition: JNICT, the National Board for Scientific and Technological Research (1967-1997), and INIC, the Portuguese Research Council (1929-1992).
In its funding activity, the Foundation covers all fields of science and all the actors from research teams in public sector and universities to the private sector. The mission of FCT is:
- To promote, fund, monitor and evaluate science and technology institutions, programmes and projects, as well as the training and qualification of human resources;
- To foster the development and reinforcement of infrastructures for scientific research and technological development;
- To enhance the diffusion and dissemination of the scientific and technological culture and knowledge, as well as the scientific and technological education and
- To stimulate the modernisation, co-ordination and public availability of science and technology information sources.
Contact: Dr Luisa Henriques
Email: lh AT fct.mces.pt
Website: www.fct.mctes.pt