Associated Laboratory

An Associated Laboratory is made up of one or more R&D units and must ensure three fundamental criteria in a sustainable way: the response of public policies to scientific, health, social, environmental and economic challenges; the promotion of scientific or technical careers for doctoral graduates, as well as the ability to attract talent to Portugal and the ability to diversify funding sources and increase the attraction of funding from the European Union or other international entities for R&D activities in Portugal. The Associated Laboratories are formally consulted by the government on the definition of national scientific and technological policy programs and instruments. The status of Associated Laboratory is granted by order of the member of the Government responsible for the area of science and technology, for a period of up to 10 years, and aims to encourage the aggregation and organization of human and material resources with the quality and dimension necessary to respond to specific objectives of national scientific and technological policy. The FCT is responsible for evaluating proposals for the creation/renewal of Associated Laboratories.