The Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures has supported over one hundred grants for scientific research in 2011 in the categories of Post-doctorate, Doctorate, Graduate, Research Technicians and Scientific Research Initiation, representing an investment of 1.4 million Euros.

Of the 103 grants for scientific research and management support, 23 were awarded in the post-doctorate category, which corresponded to an investment of about 530,000 Euros, including social insurance and other financial benefits.

In 2011, the Azorean Government supported 21 Doctoral grants and 8 Graduate grants, corresponding to a global support of 315 thousand Euros for Doctoral grants and 75 thousand Euros for Graduate grants.

A considerable number of researchers, 43 last year, applied for BIIC - Scientific Research Initiation Grants, which represents an investment of 315,000 Euros. Eight students have applied for research technicians grants, corresponding to a support of 60,000 Euros in this area.

According to the Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures, more than 85,000 Euros were awarded to pay expenses related to social security costs in the three aforementioned categories, doctoral tuitions and other financial benefits intended to promote the participation of researchers in scientific meetings.

This governmental department has awarded priority status to scientific research, encouraging researchers to develop projects that may be implemented in companies and bring added value to the Azores.