Agency for Research and Innovation launches on January 1st

The new Agency for Research and Innovation (AI ² ), created after the dissolution of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and which will integrate the National Innovation Agency (ANI), will begin operations on January 1st, the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation revealed this Monday. This is "an urgent reform," describes Fernando Alexandre, highlighting the goal of developing a "single platform" to support "researchers, companies, and institutions in identifying the most appropriate instruments to finance their projects."

In an opinion piece published in the newspaper Público —authored jointly by the Secretary of State for Higher Education, Claudia Sarrico, and the Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Helena Canhão—the minister believes it is necessary to " close the virtuous circle of qualifications, investment in science, and development ." In this sense, the new structure for the sector aims to transform the economy by "creating better jobs and better wages" in Portuguese society, acting in two distinct areas.

"The organization of AI ² represents a new paradigm and will be based on two complementary dimensions. The Research and Development Areas, structured according to the international FORD classification, which guarantee tax revenue funding for fundamental research, doctoral education, scientific careers, scientific and technological institutions and infrastructure, serving as the system's pillar of stability," the article reads.

The second strand consists of a Strategic Challenges unit, aimed at responding to "national and European priorities, more focused on applied research, technological development, disruptive research and innovation, and business innovation."

Fernando Alexandre also stated in the aforementioned article that the timetable and approach for defining the financing and strategic challenges of the future program contract for AI ² , which will come into operation in approximately four months, should be presented this September . "It will have enhanced autonomy to execute the mission statement and the multi-year program contract, with a duration of four years, with the definition of clear goals and accountability mechanisms by the board of directors," he states.

The definition of the program-contract's assumptions, the opinion article argues, will involve the participation of the National Science, Technology, and Innovation System community, which will then be approved by the Council of Ministers. "The new agency will be focused on the quality of services to all entities in the research and innovation ecosystem," it adds.

In addition to the creation of AI ² , the government also announced that the review of the Science Law will begin "later this year." With the announced participation of scientists, researchers, and companies, the review is part of a broader project to reduce "the fragmentation of the system" and align the country with "best European practices."

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