FUNDO REGIONAL DA CIENCIA E TECNOLOGIA

Their core work

FRCT is the regional science and technology funding agency for the Azores (Portugal), one of the EU's outermost regions. They coordinate research policy, manage R&I funding programs, and build capacity for the Azores to participate in European research networks. Their core work involves connecting the Azores' unique geographic and ecological assets — marine biodiversity, geothermal energy, island ecosystems — to European research agendas through ERA-NET co-fund programs and coordination actions. They also organize public engagement activities like Researchers' Night across the Macaronesia region.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2018, FRCT focused broadly on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and European research collaboration, alongside early entries into geothermal energy and circular economy (BiodivERsA3, GEOTHERMICA, SCREEN). From 2019 onward, they pivoted strongly toward outermost regions as a strategic identity — capacity building, governance frameworks, and transdisciplinary approaches became dominant themes (FORWARD, EXPAND II, BiodivClim, BiodivRestore). The later period also shows growing engagement with socio-ecological systems thinking and institutional transformation, including gender equality (ATHENA).

FRCT is positioning itself as the go-to partner for any consortium needing outermost region representation, island ecosystem expertise, or Macaronesian research network access.

How they like to work

FRCT is overwhelmingly a participant (18 of 19 projects), coordinating only once — the All-Atlantic2021 conference. With 214 unique partners across 42 countries, they operate as a well-connected node rather than a project leader. Their strength lies in bringing outermost region perspective and access to large European consortia, typically in coordination and support actions (CSA) rather than direct research (RIA).

Remarkably broad network for a regional body: 214 unique partners across 42 countries, reflecting their role as a bridge between the Azores/Macaronesia and the European research community. Their geographic connections span well beyond Europe, consistent with their Atlantic and outermost regions focus.

What sets them apart

FRCT offers something few European partners can: direct access to the Azores, an EU outermost region with unique assets for marine, geothermal, biodiversity, and climate research. For consortium builders, they satisfy the increasingly important "widening participation" and "outermost regions" criteria in Horizon Europe calls. They are not a research performer but a research funding and policy organization — ideal for governance, coordination, and co-fund roles within large consortia.

Highlights from their portfolio

• All-Atlantic2021
  Their only coordinated project — a high-level Atlantic R&I conference signaling ambition to lead in ocean governance beyond participant roles.
• FORWARD
  Largest single grant (EUR 252,875) and most strategically aligned project: building research excellence specifically in EU outermost regions.
• BiodivERsA3
  Long-running ERA-NET (2015–2022) consolidating European biodiversity research, demonstrating sustained commitment to environmental science networks.