The Government will create an incentive for scientific researchers working in Portugal to apply for European funding, the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education announced on Friday.
The official announcement will only be made in November, but the news was made known on Friday by the voice of Minister Elvira Fortunato herself, during a conversation under the slogan “I am a scientist and I do politics.” which took place at the European Night of Researchers in the Pavilion of Knowledge.
According to the minister, Portuguese projects that are submitted to the investment programs of the European Research Council and go to the second phase of applications will automatically receive support from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).
The objective, explained the minister, is to encourage researchers working in Portugal to also apply for European funding and not just FCT funding, contrary to what is currently happening.
“It is an incentive, because there are few applicants for these funds“, underlined Elvira Fortunato, acknowledging that European funding is significantly higher than what is done in Portugal.
“We have to be more competitive in European terms and, above all, diversify the immense sources of funding that scientists have at their disposal”, the minister had already said at the beginning of the session.
Elvira Fortunato was one of the four speakers in a word that brought together scientists who, at the same time, were involved in politics. Beside her was the Secretary of State for Regional Development, Isabel Ferreira, the former Minister of Education and currently a deputy, Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, and the Socialist deputy Alexandre Quintanilha.
Regarding the relationship between science and politics, the main topic that guided the conversation, everyone agreed that it has to be closer and that everyone has to gain from that proximity.
“The contribution of science to society is unquestionable“, sublinhou to the Minister of Science, considering that, on the other hand, scientists also help political responsibilities to make decisions, “even if sometimes unpopular, but always with a scientific basis”, added, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as an example.
Along the same lines, and from another perspective, Isabel Ferreira explained how the fact of seeing the impact of her work as a researcher in enhancing the value of the interior, especially of Bragança, where she worked, contributed to the decision to enter politics. as a natural step. .
And, today, she believes that her scientific background helps her in her government functions, a perspective shared by Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, who argues that politicians can learn more from scientists.
On the other hand, the former Minister of Education considers that “there is a big gap” between science and politics, but which is often created by scientists themselves.
“How often scientists forget about politicians as a target audience”, said Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, who also commented on another difference that separates the two areas and first pointed out by Alexandre Quintanilha: time.
“Knowledge takes time, a lot of time, and it is always a work in progress. Politics and politicians often do not have the luxury of time and many times we have to make decisions without having all the knowledge we would like”, explained the deputy. In this regard, Tiago Brandão Rodrigues warned that currently this pressure is also exerted on scientists.
The former Minister of Education also stressed that “as a society we have to make better use of what we invest in science.” And he added: “Currently, we even invest little“.
The conversation with scientists who are also politicians was one of the dozens of activities that took place on Friday in the Knowledge Pavilion during the European Researchers’ Night, in an edition dedicated to getting to know those who do science outside the laboratory better.
Source: Observadora
