Regional Government launches 3.3 million-Euro tender to finance scientific research projects
The Regional Director for Science and Technology highlighted in Angra do Heroísmo the "commitment of the Regional Government's commitment to scientific production and innovation," through the launch of tenders to support scientific research projects.
Bruno Pacheco stressed that the competitions to support scientific research projects are "fundamental to ensure the regular, sustained and predictable funding of the Azores Scientific and Technological System."
The Regional Director spoke during a visit to the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology (IITAA) at the University of the Azores, where the BEMAP-ET project - "Evaluation of bovine embryonic metabolism as a strategy to predict the success of pregnancy" is being developed.
This project will allow Azorean dairy farmers to produce high performance calves, resulting in a reduction of the overall costs per viable embryo and offspring. It was one of the 22 projects approved in the first edition of the tender to support research projects aligned with the Research and Innovation Strategy for the Smart Specialisation of the Region (RIS3), held in 2015.
Bruno Pacheco stated that this project aims "to create competitive knowledge, particularly about bovine embryos of high genetic quality, adding value to the product."
During this visit to IITAA, the Regional Director stressed that the second edition of the tender for the financing of research projects aligned with RIS3 amounting to 3.3 million Euros has already opened.
The tender, held under the Azores 2020 Operational Programme, runs until March 5. It is directed to non-business entities of the regional scientific and technological system in the fields of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Agroindustry, Fisheries and the Sea and Tourism, as priority RIS3 areas.
"As announced in November by the Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology, the main novelties regarding the first edition are the increase of global investment by 14%," said Bruno Pacheco.
With an overall budget of 3.3 million Euros, there is an increase in the amount of support compared to the first edition, from 150 thousand Euros to 180 thousand Euros in three years.
"Another of the novelties of this tender is the requirement to hire doctorates for a period of 24 months. It responds to the needs of the Azores Scientific and Technological System in terms of scientific employment and qualification in the pursuit of projects," added the Regional Director.
Bruno Pacheco defended that "qualified human resources are fundamental for a true scientific policy." According to him, "they guarantee a scientific production of quality that promotes development and innovation."
Under this tender to support scientific research projects within the RIS3 framework, there will be several information sessions on each campus of the University of the Azores between February 5 and 9.