Azores opens €9m applied research calls

The Azores Government announced on Friday the opening of calls worth €9 million under the Azores 2030 programme to strengthen applied research. The announcement was made at the opening of Macaronight, European Researchers' Night at Portas do Mar in Ponta Delgada.

According to a press release, the Regional Government also intends to strengthen links between scientific knowledge and the region's business fabric. Macaronight featured more than 30 interactive activities and more than 50 researchers.

Artur Lima said the event gives people of all ages an opportunity to see scientific research in the region at close range.

The first call has a €6.5 million budget for Research and Technological Development operations supporting a greener, more sustainable and climate-resilient economy. It is open to all types of companies, including SMEs and large companies, as well as entities in the Azores Scientific and Technological System.

A second call, worth about €2.6 million, will support business-based Research and Technological Development projects aligned with RIS3 Azores. It aims to raise the technological readiness of innovative goods and services with commercial potential. A further call, titled 'Estímulo às Provas de Conceito Empresariais', will provide about €500,000 to encourage the hiring of highly qualified staff to develop commercially viable proofs of concept in a business setting.

Artur Lima said Macaronight's main mission is to bring scientific research closer to people of all ages, show science's positive impact on daily life and demystify the role of researchers.

The second business-based R&D call will also promote the economic valorisation of knowledge, cooperation between the Azores Scientific and Technological System and companies, and bringing R&D closer to the market.

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