In certain funding programs, VAT effectively and definitively supported by the institution (non-recoverable VAT) is an eligible expense for co-financing. For transactions with eligible VAT, it is necessary to provide to the financial entity documents proving the project framework for VAT and the activity that is intended to finance, including supporting elements to the calculation of the pro rata, when applicable.
Some financial entities consider that only one application per entity with legal nature can be submitted. Assuming that the institutional identification is usually made via Tax ID number, which is unique in the U.Porto, whenever this imposition is verified, the objective must guarantee the submission of an application per each Constitutive entity and should be proposed to the funding entity to identify the bodies of the U.Porto by the Tax ID number. The Technical Team of the project should check the specific documentation of the call in order to become aware of the potential restrictions concerning the number of applications submitted by U.Porto within a given contract. With the support of the Project Office, it should also clarify the financial entity that the U.Porto is composed by a set of Constitutive entities with autonomy to the practice of administrative acts and capacity to celebrate all contracts necessary for its current management, including managing funded projects.
The mission of the Project Management Office of the University of Porto is to provide services pertaining to fundraising and management of co-financed projects of all the Faculties, Autonomous Services and Rectorate.
The Project Management Office provides the following services:
The main types of funding of the European Union are:
The first steps to take are to define a project idea and project type, along with the type of funding needed. Then you should access the webpage of the European Commission and verify if there are open calls for proposals or tenders.
An R&D+I project is a research, development and innovation assignment which involves activities of research and/or experimental development, which may lead to the creation of new products, processes and system or that may lead to significant improvement in existing products, processes or systems. An R&D+I project may be carried out with enterprises or between enterprises and scientific and technological institutions, either national or international, who join together to foster synergies and share costs and risk. These two types of entities may venture together as they may have different competences, yet common interests in reaching valuable results from R&D activities.
Portugal 2020 is a partnership agreement signed between Portugal and the European Commission, which encompasses the action of five European Structural & Investment Funds – ERDF, Cohesion Fund, ESF, EAFRD and EMFF. This partnership defines the measures to be taken in terms of economic, social and territorial development to be applied in Portugal between 2014 and 2020.
If you need assistance regarding a co-financed project you may send an e-mail to projetos@up.pt. The Project Management Office provides services pertaining to fundraising and management of co-financed projects of all the Faculties, Autonomous Services and Rectorate, if you are:
The Framework Programme Horizon 2020 is the successor of the 7th Framework Programme and it is a fundamental pillar of the Innovation Union, an important initiative of the Europe 2020 Strategy. H2020 will be implemented between 2014 and 2020 and aims to increase the relation between research and innovation, by converting scientific development into innovative products, thus responding to the challenges posed by globalisation (e.g. climate change, energy safety and ageing). In order to reach these objectives, the programme identifies three priorities: scientific excellence, creation of an industrial leadership and responses to societal challenges, being each of these priorities divided into diverse and well-defined objectives and activities.
A project funded by an external organisation is an activity that receives a grant, i.e. financial contribution from a national or international organisation, public or private. Grants are subject to a written contract, signed between the Faculty, Autonomous Service or Rectorate and funding agency. The contract usually states that the University must cover some of the expenses, whilst the funding agency funds the remaining costs.
A project funded by an internal organisation is an activity that receives a grant, i.e. financial contribution from the University, via Rectorate, Faculty of Autonomous Service. Grants are subject to a written contract, signed between the principal investigator and the Faculty, Autonomous Service or Rectorate, acting as funding agencies.
O Portugal2020 (PT2020) organiza-se segundo 16 Programas Operacionais, Temáticos e Regionais, dos quais os mais importantes para a U.Porto são:
4.414 milhões de euros
2.130 milhões de euros
3.096 milhões de euros
2.253 milhões de euros
3.379 milhões de euros
Portugal 2020 is organised in 16 Operational, Theme and Regional Programmes, of which the most important to U.Porto are:
4 414 million €
2 130 million €
3 096 million €
2 253 million €
3 379 million €
The Project Management Office runs a mapping and dissemination of funding opportunities that might be of interest to U.Porto’s community, namely:
The Project Management Office releases in this Portal every Friday all the new or forthcoming call for proposals of the different funding programmes. One can also identify new calls for proposals, of Horizon 2020 programme for example, by accessing the Participant Portal as all the new opportunities are listed there. All new and open funding opportunities and calls for proposals can be found here.
Horizon 2020 was attributed a total budget of 77 billion €, being a sole programme which combines funds dedicated to the Framework Programme for Research, Framework Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation and the EU contribution for the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT). The structure of the programme is based on three big pillars:
Scientific Excellence (about 32% of the total budget) including:
Industrial Leadership (about 22% of the total budget) including:
Societal Challenges (about 39% of the total budget) including:
Plus, Horizon 2020 is complemented by activities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), as well as the Joint Research Centre. International cooperation is promoted, along with other measures in order to enable the implementation of the European Research Area (ERA).
Besides the activities covered by the three pillars, other projects can be funded through other instruments:
A tender is not a funded project. It is a service provided by the Faculty, Autonomous Service or Rectorate to an external organisation. Tenders are usually subject to a written agreement signed between the service provider (Faculty, Autonomous Service or Rectorate) and national or international, public or private body to whom the service is provided – the purchasing entity.
One or more invoices, i.e. documents issued by the University where all the general conditions of the transaction and final amount to be paid by the purchasing entity are stated, are always issued.
Portugal will receive 25 billion € until 2020. This amount will be divided between the 16 different operational, theme and regional programmes.
The Project Management Office releases in this Portal every Friday all the new regional, national and international funding-related events. They can be found here.
The main types of projects funded under Horizon 2020 are Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA). Research and Innovation Actions are mainly based on fundamental and applied research, technology development and integration. Innovation Actions are designed to develop plans or projects for new or improved products, processes or services. As these actions come closer to market, they will involve the development of prototypes to demonstrate or validate products and their replication. Horizon 2020 also covers Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, ERC projects, SME Instrument, Pre-Commercial Procurement and Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions.
A funding programme is a chain of financial, organisational and human resources which are organised to support projects of a certain nature to be carried out at a certain time.
There are many different funding programmes, which means that the regulations of each programme should be checked. The programmes are typically competitive and proposals should be submitted by the Faculty, Autonomous Service of Rectorate to the agency that promotes the programme – the funding agency. Different expenses may be co-funded, depending on the programme’s rules, namely: human resources, equipment and goods, outsourcing services, travel and accommodation, subsistence costs, meals, flights, fuel or toll charges. Some types of projects also fund indirect costs, which are calculated based on the incurred expenses during the implementation of the project. The method to calculate indirect costs should be approved by the funding agency beforehand.
O Norte 2020 é um dos Programas Regionais do Portugal 2020. O Norte 2020 é o instrumento financeiro de apoio ao desenvolvimento regional do Norte de Portugal, gerido pela CCDR-N, que aplicará durante os próximos anos 3,4 mil milhões de Euros de verbas comunitárias.
Norte 2020 is one of the Regional Programmes of Portugal 2020. This programme is the financial instrument of development of the Portuguese northern regional (managed by CDDR-N - Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte -Commission for the Coordination and Development of the Northern Region). This commission will invest 3.4 billion € of the community funds.
The professors and researchers are in charge of preparing their proposals. However, the Project Management Office provides support, namely:
However, the proposal budget should be sent to the Project Management Office (UProj) at the latest five days before the deadline, so that a viability check can be run. Besides, a pdf version of the proposal and budget should also be sent to UProj at the latest five days before the deadline, so that the dean of the faculty where the professor/research is based can validate the proposal. After submission, the final version of the proposal should be sent to UProj, so that all the information can be inserted in UProj information system.
According to the minimum conditions of participation, at least three legal entities, independent from each other, from three different Member-States or Associated Countries. More than one entity per country may participate, as long as the minimum requirements are met. However, it is worthwhile to read the conditions of the specific call for proposals as there may be some additional requirements. The participation of one entity is the minimum requirement for some actions under Marie Sklodowska-Curie, European Research Council and SME Instrument actions.
The funding agency, or managing authority, is a national or international entity, public or private, which manages a group of funding programmes. The programmes are typically competitive and proposals should be submitted by the Faculty, Autonomous Service of Rectorate to the agency that promotes the programme – the funding agency, or managing authority.
In order to apply to Portugal 2020, you should check the notifications of open call for proposals. Afterwards, and in order to select the call that better suits your interests, you should contact the Project Management Office. After a call is selected, the proposal must be submitted via Balcão 2020 (online platform).
Todas as entidades legais estabelecidas nos Estados Membros da União Europeia, assim como os Países e Territórios Ultramarinos, são diretamente elegíveis a financiamento no H2020. A estes juntam-se os Países Associados: Albânia, Bósnia e Herzegovina, Ilhas Faroé, Islândia, Israel, Moldávia, Montenegro, Noruega, República da Macedónia, Sérvia, Suíça e Turquia. Países Terceiros podem também ser elegíveis a financiamento. No entanto, instituições legais de países não referidos anteriormente poderão, excecionalmente, ser elegíveis, caso o programa de trabalhos de uma determinada convocatória assim o especifique.
You should contact the Project Management Office (UProj) as soon as possible. However, the proposal budget should be sent to the Project Management Office at the latest five days before the deadline, so that a viability check can be run. Besides, a pdf version of the proposal and budget should also be sent to UProj at the latest five days before the deadline, so that the dean of the faculty where the professor/research is based can validate the proposal. After submission, the final version of the proposal should be sent to UProj, so that all the information can be inserted in UProj information system.
All legal entities established in the Member-States of the European Union, along with its Overseas Countries and Territories are directly eligible for funding. The following Associated Countries are also eligible: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Israel, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey. Third Countries may also be eligible for funding. However, legal entities not listed above may also be exceptionally eligible, if it is specified on the work programme of a certain call for proposals.
A proposal is a formal request of financial support submitted by the Faculty, Autonomous Service or Rectorate to a funding agency, either national or international, public or private, in order to guarantee the implementation of a project. A proposal is submitted by filling in a standard form, where usually it is described the project, its objectives, sustainability, calendar and budget. Other documents may also be required.
Balcão 2020 is the gateway to all operational, theme and regional programmes of Portugal 2020. Balcão 2020 is indeed an online platform where one can access all support services related to these grants. You can submit proposals, prepare and interact with information, and follow-up the different phases of the project.
On Balcão 2020, U.Porto’s professors and researchers may:
On Balcão 2020, Project Management Office staff may:
All activities under Horizon 2020 have the same funding rate – 100%. However, Innovation Actions, which are activities closer to the market, have a funding rate of 70%. Yet, non-profit organisations, such as U.Porto, have a funding rate of 100%.
The flat rate of indirect costs of all research and innovation projects is 25% (excluding subcontracting), for all entities. However, under Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, the indirect costs correspond to fixed amounts, within specific cost categories, pre-defined by the European Commission.
The eligible costs under Horizon 2020 are the following:
Under Horizon 2020, unit costs, flat rate costs and lumps sums are also foreseen. VAT, if paid by the beneficiary and unrecoverable, is also an eligible cost.
Ineligible costs are expenditure which does not follow the regulations mentioned on the Model Grant Agreement, namely provisions for future losses or debts, currency exchange losses, costs related to return on capital, reimbursed costs of other EU action or programme, doubtful debts, excessive or reckless expenditure.
When preparing a budget, we advise you to contact the Project Management Office through the following address: projetos@up.pt.
Once a proposal is approved, a starting date is set. The starting date of a project is defined by the day that an expense can be co-financed. The end date of a project is the day that from then onwards, an expense, even if it was actually incurred, cannot be financed. The eligibility period of the project is stated on the contract and it is based on the time that an expense can be claimed to the funding agency.
The Project Management Office registered all of U.Porto’s faculties, autonomous services, Rectorate and R&D Units on the platform. All of these institutions are sub-entities of the beneficiary with legal personality – University of Porto. Therefore, a professor or researcher may submit his/her proposal on Balcão 2020 with the credentials made available to the director of the faculty, autonomous service, Rectorate or R&D Unit.
Consortium agreements are mandatory for all multi-beneficiary (consortium) projects, unless otherwise stated on the call for proposals.
The funding rate of a project is the percentage of a project budget that is financed. The funding rate is specified on the contract.
The information to be included in a Portugal 2020 proposal form may vary according to the call for proposals. However, it is expected that the application form may be composed of the following themes:
The whole process, from proposal submission, evaluation, to grant agreement signature, typically takes about eight months.
The funding value of a project is the amount of a project budget that is financed. The funding rate is specified on the contract. The funding value depends on the approved funding rate.
A Participant Identification Code (PIC) is attributed to all entities participating in Horizon 2020. The PIC number is a nine digit identification code, to which all information, both legal and financial, is associated to. The information is stored in a database and it is used for all the different projects that the same entity participates.
The University of Porto is now identified by only one PIC number: 999894916. This number must be always indicated when the University (through its faculties, institutes and departments) submits a proposal to Horizon 2020 or other programmes, such as Third Health Programme, Erasmus +, etc. or when a project is negotiated or when the Commission demands it.
The data associated to U.Porto’s PIC is:
The co-finance value of a project is the amount of a project budget that needs to be secured by the promotor of the project. The co-finance rate is specified on the contract. If the approved funding rate is 100%, the co-finance value amounts to zero.
Eligible expenses may vary according to the call for proposals. However, R&D projects usually fund the following expenses:
Normally, under this budget category, supplementary remuneration of professors, researchers and other staff are usually not eligible. Eligible expenses with human resources (currently hired or to be hired) dedicated to R&D activities, including expenses with scholarships directly supported by the beneficiary usually follow a methodology foreseen in the call for proposals.
Under this budget category, travels in Portugal and abroad, which are directly connected to the project are usually eligible.
The purchase of scientific and technical equipment or instruments, required to the project, are usually eligible expenses, if they are used for the entirety of the project. Only the depreciation of scientific and technical equipment or instruments required to the project, which useful life is within the period of the project, but also surpasses it, is an eligible expense.
The purchase of other goods and services directly connected to the implementation of the project are usually eligible expenses. Subcontracts are also eligible if directly connected to the project.
Costs related to IPR (eg. national and international patent filing, utility models and design, trademarks, etc) like fees, state-of-the-art research and consulting services are usually considered eligible costs.
Such costs are only eligible for funding if deemed essential to project completion, namely in connection with environmental and security issues.
Indirect costs comprise all those eligible costs identified by the applicant as being necessary and directly linked to the completion of the action. Usually, a flat rate is applied, up to 25% of the direct costs of the project.
All expenses covered by Portugal 2020 shall be supported by invoices issued with dates between 1 January 2014 and 31 July 2023. Cofunding by the project promoter shall occur for at least 5 years.
A register on the Participant Portal is mandatory, in order to be able to submit a proposal to varied European programmes. Thus, it is necessary to create an ECAS (European Commission Authentication Service) account on the Participant Portal. The register requires an individual registration. Users must provide a username, an e-mail address and a password. After the register is made, the user will receive a notification via e-mail with the next steps to take.
The budget of a project is the expenditure that can be financed and which is considered as eligible expense of a project. These expenses must be foreseen in the contract. They need to be analysed according to their nature, date and validity of the supporting documents, i.e. invoices and receipts. Since U.Porto needs to follow the rules of public contracts, the expenses are also analysed taking that fact into account.
The budget of current expenditure is the expenses related to consumables, services and human resources. These expenses need to be foreseen in the contract. They need to be analysed according to their nature, date and validity of the supporting documents. Capital expenditure, on the other hand, is the expenses related to durable goods. Expenditure related to the purchase or depreciation of goods are normally financed. These expenses need to be foreseen in the contract. They need to be analysed according to their nature, date and validity of the supporting documents.
After the submission of the applications through Balcão 2020, as from the call for proposals deadline, the managing authority shall decide within 60 days. This deadline may be interrupted if further clarifications are requested to the applicant.
Professors and researchers of U.Porto can use the services made available by the Project Management Office of the University of Porto, or similar structures that may exist in the different faculties.
The services include, when submitting a proposal, support in the administrative component of the proposal, the verification of eligibility criteria or collection of institutional documents that may be needed to submit the proposal, and design of a budget. Besides, there is also support to identify potential partners, as well as giving guidance on how to structure a proposal. Besides the support given by the Project Management Office and other similar structures of the University, the technical staff may also contact the National Contact Points of each funding programme, which, in Portugal, are mostly based on the Gabinete de Promoção do Programa Quadro (Framework Programme Promotion Office).
The expenditure that can be financed will vary according to the type of project and funding programme. It is therefore essential to read the regulations of each programme.
Different expenses may be co-funded, depending on the programme’s rules, namely: human resources, equipment and goods, outsourcing services, travel and accommodation, subsistence costs, meals, flights, fuel or toll charges. VAT, which is supported by the Faculty, Autonomous Service or Rectorate, is also normally seen as an eligible expense. Some types of projects also fund indirect costs, which are calculated based on the incurred expenses during the implementation of the project. The method to calculate indirect costs should be approved by the funding agency beforehand.
The participation in European R&D projects brings many advantages to the research teams. Firstly, the fact that, in their vast majority, these projects are large, very ambitious and with great scientific impact, allowing researchers to reach results that would be difficult to attain individually. On top of that, participation in these projects brings scientific recognition to the participants.
The participation also offers the opportunity to collaborate with entities and companies which are leaders in their fields, allowing a technological and market observation, leading to a strengthening of collaborations and scientific networks at a European level.
The attractive funding rates allow the acquisition of equipment for infrastructures and hiring of specialized resources, which will lead to a great increase in the scientific and technical capacity of the research teams and the institution.
An expense is financed if it is foreseen in the contract. They need to be analysed according to their nature, date and validity of the supporting documents, i.e. invoices and receipts. Since U.Porto needs to follow the rules of public contracts, the expenses are also analysed taking that fact into account. The Project Management Office is in charge of requesting funding for an expense to the funding agency.
Existe uma grande diversidade de programas de financiamento, que financiam diferentes atividades, com diferentes taxas de financiamento e com regras de elegibilidade diferentes. Alguns exemplos organizados por áreas:
Para obter informação sobre programas de financiamento existentes nas diversas áreas, poderá contactar a Unidade de Projetos, através do endereço projetos@up.pt.
There is a great diversity of funding programmes, which fund different activities, with different funding rates and different eligibility criteria. Some examples organised by area:
To obtain more information about funding programmes of different areas, you may contact the Project Management Office using the following address: projetos@up.pt.
The co-finance of an expense is made by requesting a reimbursement or advance payment. The funding agency needs to receive all the support documentation of the expense. The Project Management Office is in charge of requesting funding for an expense to the funding agency.
The use of a traditional method of finance through a request of reimbursement or advance payment involves a lot of administrative work, not only to the Project Management Office, but also to the funding agency. Some funding agencies, namely the European Union, are analysing different methods of request of expense – payment of lump sums and unit costs, which leads to a reduced administrative work. The Project Management Office is keeping up with the new trends.
Grande parte dos programas de financiamento europeus obrigam à submissão de candidaturas por via eletrónica e, consequentemente, ao registo institucional das entidades beneficiárias. Dependendo do programa, o registo da entidade pode ser efetuado em fase prévia ou durante o processo de submissão de candidaturas a projetos. Noutros casos, não é necessário efetuar qualquer registo da entidade.
Atendendo a que a Universidade do Porto possui um NIF único (PT501413197), e que esse número é associado a um grande número de registos institucionais, a Unidade de Projetos da U.Porto procedeu à verificação das regras e à criação do registo institucional em algumas das plataformas onde a U.Porto poderá vir a submeter projetos.
A informação que se segue veicula orientações e informação útil sobre o registo nas principais plataformas:
A submissão de propostas obriga ao registo prévio da instituição na plataforma eSUDOE e ao registo de utilizador individual pelo membro da UP candidato. Após aceder à plataforma através das suas credenciais pessoais, o utilizador tem de associar o código da entidade que integra. Para o efeito, deverá ser associado o código da Unidade Orgânica onde o proponente está sedeado.
A submissão de propostas obriga ao registo prévio da instituição na plataforma Synergie CTE durante uma convocatória em curso. Visto que de momento não está nenhuma convocatória aberta, não é possível efetuar o registo institucional. A Unidade de Projetos da U.Porto procederá ao registo na plataforma assim que se verifique a abertura de uma convocatória.
A submissão de propostas realiza-se através do sistema de informação Coopera 2020, obrigando ao registo das entidades participantes, após a emissão de um certificado eletrónico homologado pelo programa. A Unidade de Projetos aguarda orientações adicionais do programa, que veiculará oportunamente.
A submissão de propostas não obriga a registo prévio ou associação da entidade à candidatura, obrigando apenas a um registo de utilizador individual pelo membro da U.Porto candidato na plataforma de projetos, que irá ser disponibilizada futuramente pelo programa.
A submissão de propostas não obriga a registo prévio ou associação da entidade à candidatura, obrigando apenas a um registo de utilizador individual pelo membro da U.Porto candidato na plataforma iOLF.
A submissão de propostas não obriga a registo prévio da entidade, dependendo da receção de um convite pelo Management Committee ESPON. Em caso de receção de convite, a entidade receberá as credenciais necessárias ao acesso à plataforma e-MS, podendo seguidamente desencadear o processo de elaboração de propostas.
A submissão de propostas obriga ao registo prévio da instituição e ao registo de utilizador individual pelo membro da U.Porto candidato. A submissão de propostas realiza-se através do Research Participant Portal. Após aceder à plataforma através das suas credenciais pessoais (registo via ECAS), o utilizador tem de associar o código da entidade que integra. Para o efeito, deverá ser associado o código da Universidade do Porto – PIC: 999894916.
A submissão de propostas a estes programas obriga ao registo prévio da instituição e ao registo de utilizador individual pelo membro da U.Porto candidato. A submissão de propostas realiza-se através do Education, Audiovisual, Culture, Citizenship and Volunteering Participant Portal. Após aceder à plataforma através das suas credenciais pessoais (registo via ECAS), o utilizador tem de associar o código da entidade que integra. Para o efeito, deverá ser associado o código da Universidade do Porto – PIC: 999894916.
Em caso de dúvida ou ocorrência de algum problema sobre qualquer um destes registos institucionais, contactar a Unidade de Projetos através do e-mail projetos@up.pt.
Proposal submission of the vast majority of European funding programmes is done electronically and it requires the registration of an institution. This registration can either be done before or during the submission process, depending on the programme. In some cases, it is not required to register an institution.
Given that the University of Porto has a single tax ID number (PT501413197), which is associated to different institutional registrations, the Project Management Office has verified the rules and has registered U.Porto in different platforms where proposals can be submitted.
The information below provides guidance on the registration on the main platforms:
Proposal submission to this programme requires a prior registration of the institution on eSUDOE platform. The researcher also needs to create his/her individual registration. The researcher, after logging in with his/her credentials, must associate the code identifying the faculty where he/she is based.
Proposal submission to this programme requires a prior registration of the institution on Synergie CTE platform. However, the registration can only be done if a call for proposals is open. Since at the moment no calls for proposals are open, it is not yet possible to register the institution. The Project Management Office of U.Porto will register the institution as soon as a call for proposals is open.
Proposal submission is done through the information system Coopera 2020. Institutional registration is mandatory, however it can only be done after the submission of an electronic certificate by the programme administration. The Project Management Office is waiting for further instructions and will disseminate them in due time.
Proposal submission does not require a prior registration or association of the institution. The researcher must, however, create an individual registration on the programme platform, which will be available soon.
Proposal submission does not require a prior registration or association of the institution. The researcher must, however, create an individual registration on iOLF platform.
Proposal submission does not require a prior registration of the institution, depending only on an invitation by ESPON Management Committee. After the invitation is received, the institution will obtain the required credentials to sign in to e-MS platform, in order to submit a proposal.
Proposal submission requires both a prior registration of the institution and researcher. Proposal submission is done via Research Participant Portal. The researcher after logging in to the platform with his/her individual credentials (registration via ECAS), has to introduce the identification code of the institution. U.Porto Participant Identification Code (PIC) is 999894916.
Proposal submission to these programmes requires both a prior registration of the institution and researcher. Proposal submission is done via Education, Audiovisual, Culture, Citizenship and Volunteering Participant Portal. The researcher after logging in to the platform with his/her individual credentials (registration via ECAS), has to introduce the identification code of the institution. U.Porto Participant Identification Code (PIC) is 999894916.
If any question or problem arises related to any of these institutional registrations, please contact the Project Management Office using the e-mail projetos@up.pt.
Yes. All the expenses incurred by the Faculties, Autonomous Services or Rectorate, whether co-financed or not, must follow the rules of public contracts. Therefore, and for each expense, there is the need to assure that the following documents exist: deliberation for the opening of proceedings, copy of the adopted publication notice, tender specification documents, report of admission and proposal analysis, preliminary hearing of candidates, contracting decision, notification of contracting decision to all candidates, contract, prior approval by the Court of Auditors, if applicable. Project Management Office is in charge of collecting these documents and send them for analysis by the funding agency.
The deans of the different faculties are entitled to sign/certify documents related to submission of proposals or project contracts from external entities, where U.Porto is a participating entity through one of its faculties.
In the specific case of Horizon 2020, the deans of the faculties are by default entitled to be the LSIGN (Legal Signatory for the organisation) and FSIGN (Financial Signatory for the organisation) of the institution.
For specific situations involving other programmes, please contact the Project Management Office using the e-mail: projetos@up.pt.
Yes. It is normally a co-financed expense. However, the expense needs to be foreseen on the contract. They need to be analysed according to their nature, date and validity of the supporting documents.
The European Commission provides funding for PhD projects promoted by different entities, such as universities, research centres or companies, which aim to create a research network. Interested entities may consult the available opportunities of the Innovative Training Networks within the Maria S. Curie Actions (Horizon 2020 – MSCA ITN). Researchers may also directly apply to specific vacancies created within these networks. All the opportunities will be available on the Euraxess portal.
No. However, national or international grants may be accumulated as long as the amount of financing does not surpass the incurred expense and it is considered necessary to implement the project.
There are different funding schemes for post-doc research directed to young researchers within H2020. Starting Grants of the European Research Council (ERC) fund innovative and frontier research projects in all scientific areas. They are mainly directed to young researchers (from 2 to 7 years after PhD completion). This funding scheme funds individual projects, being the creation of an international consortium not mandatory. Individual Fellowships (European or Global) within Marie S. Curie Actions (H2020) are mainly directed to advanced training and mobility of experienced researchers (PhD or 4 years minimum experience in research).
The applicant institution of a financed project is the entity, either public or private, national or international, which leads a project. In case it is a project which involves a consortium, the applicant institution of a project leads the consortium and may have to secure the money transfers from the funding agency to the other institutions involved in the project.
Applications are submitted in accordance with the specific indications for each funding program. The major part of applications are submitted electronically through platforms and forms provided for that purpose (eg. PT2020, Norte2020, H2020). However, some funding programs require the submission of the application in paper (eg. INTERREG SUDOE) in addition to the electronic submission. The Technical Team of the project should consult the specific documentation of the call in order to learn about the requirements for submission of the proposal.
There are different funding schemes for independent and established researchers within H2020. Consolidator Grants (from 7 to 12 years of experience after PhD completion) and Advanced Grants (at least 10 years of experience as an established researcher) funded by the European Research Council (ERC) are an example. Individual Fellowships (European or Global) within Marie S. Curie Actions (H2020) are mainly directed to advanced training and mobility of experienced researchers (PhD or 4 years minimum experience in research). Also, Pillar 1 of H2020 – Scientific Excellence – foresees the funding of projects dedicated to the development of innovative and disruptive technologies – FET projects present three different lines of action (FET Open, FET Proactive, FET Flagships).
Experienced researchers may also find funding opportunities for research and innovation and from lab to market activities within pillars 2 and 3 (Industrial Leadership and Societal Challenges, respectively).
O LEF é um documento associado ao registo institucional, que comprova a personalidade jurídica da instituição que está a submeter uma candidatura a um dos programas financiados pela Comissão Europeia. Este documento é preenchido pelos serviços da Universidade e assinado pelo representante legal desta. O documento está disponível nesta página:
http://ec.europa.eu/budget/contracts_grants/info_contracts/legal_entities/legal-entities_en.cfm#pt
The LEF is a document which confirms the legal status of an institution. It is a document associated with the registration of the institution and it is used together with the submission of proposals to programmes funded by the European Commission. This document is filled in by the University and signed by its legal representative. The document is available here: http://ec.europa.eu/budget/contracts_grants/info_contracts/legal_entities/legal-entities_en.cfm#pt
U.Porto projects are registered in a platform – SIGARRRA. All R&D+I projects with internal or external financing in which U.Porto is the applicant or participating institution, are registered on the SIGARRA platform. Professors and researchers (technical team) are then associated to their projects. The R&D+I with internal or external financing, even though they do not have U.Porto has the applicant or participating institution, but have staff involved, are also registered in the platform, if requested. The projects with internal or external financing which do not encompass R&D activities are also registered, if justified, being the technical and management staff associated to the project.
A Universidade do Porto e as suas Unidades Orgânicas possuem um Legal Entity File devidamente preenchido, assinado e validado. Se necessitar deste documento deverá entrar em contacto com os gabinetes de projetos da sua Unidade Orgânica ou entrar em contacto através do seguinte endereço: projetos@up.pt.
The University of Porto and all its faculties have a duly filled in, signed and validated Legal Entity File. If you need the document, please contact the project management office of your faculty or send an email to: projetos@up.pt.
O documento é solicitado no contexto dos projetos financiados pela Comissão Europeia e serve para indicar e comprovar os dados bancários a associar a determinado projeto. Este documento é preenchido pelos serviços da Universidade e assinado pelo representante legal desta. O documento está disponível nesta página:
http://ec.europa.eu/budget/contracts_grants/info_contracts/financial_id/financial-id_en.cfm#pt
The Financial Identity Form is a document requested under projects funded by the European Commission. This document acts a proof of the bank account data associated to a project. This document is filled in by the University and signed by its legal representative. The document is available here: http://ec.europa.eu/budget/contracts_grants/info_contracts/financial_id/financial-id_en.cfm#pt
A Universidade do Porto e as suas Unidades Orgânicas possuem um Formulário de Identificação Financeira. Se necessitar deste documento deverá entrar em contacto com os gabinetes de projetos da sua Unidade Orgânica ou entrar em contacto através do seguinte endereço: projetos@up.pt.
The University of Porto and all its faculties have a Financial Identity Form. If you need the document, please contact the project management office of your faculty or send an email to: projetos@up.pt.
Depending on the project, expenses can be considered eligible to human resources that are already linked to the institution and that will perform their work in the structure of the Project (contract for an indefinite period), or human resources to hire exclusively for the development of the financed project, including fellows, technicians or researchers (fixed-term contract). In case the human resources are already hired, the expenses are charged on the basis of the project time allocation rate.
In the case of already hired human resources, expenses may contemplate fixed and permanent incomes (including based-cost incomes and allowances, if applicable), compulsory deductions, meals and other wage complements, if applicable. In the case of scholarship holders the eligible expenses may include the monthly income, reimbursement of the voluntary social insurance (first remuneration category, in scholarships with the duration equal or superior to six months), personal accidents insurance and expenses related to the disclosure of the application recruitment, if applicable. In the case of fixed-term contracts in the framework of the project, the eligible expenses may include certain and permanent incomes (including basic pay and allowances, if applicable), deductions, meal costs, work injury insurance, costs of publication of tender recruitment, other salary supplements, if applicable, and compensation expense in the event of the end of the employment contract. The distinction of types of charges expected with human resources must take place during the inquiry stage of the application, specifically when formulating the budget component.
Yes, if expressly provided for the eligibility of resources assigned by a third party based on a prior agreement. Being recurrent that U.Porto’s teaching staff performs research activities in external entities, such as research institutes, is also usual the intent to participate in approved funded projects, promoted by such entities. In certain programs, such as Horizon 2020, the participation is possible, as long as it has been celebrated, in a previous phase to the starting of the project, a resource transfer agreement between the involved entities. The assignment should provide that, during the execution of the project, the working hours by the human resource in the project are properly recorded, reported and repaid to the grantee of the appeal.
The Project Management office has a draft type for the resource transfer agreement. To request the transfer of the draft please contact the Project Unit via email projetos@up.pt.
The technical team of a financed project is the group of human resources who carries out the activities of the project. The identification of the members of the technical team is specified on the application documents, as well as in the activity reports of the project. The members of the technical team may be their salaries reimbursed, as long as the expense is approved by the funding agency.
Yes. Holders of scholarships hired through funded projects, not sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), can be paid a different value, if so accepted by the funding agency. International projects, for example funded by the European Commission, funds payments based on the internal rules of the institution, i.e. U.Porto. This particular matter should be analysed case by case by the Project Management Office, as some faculties approve minimum and maximum amounts when it comes to research scholarships, which may be different from the amounts applied by FCT.
Yes. Scholarships do not hold the same requirements of an ordinary contract or provision of services, being therefore exempt from tax (IRS), due to a lack of regulation. However, if the work of a scholarship holder is deemed an economic added-value for the host institution, scholarships may be subject to tax (IRS). This particular matter should be analysed case by case by the Project Management Office.
Yes. Scholarship holders are entitled to social security, however they have to subscribe to the voluntary social insurance scheme. Host or funding institutions have to take the expenses up to the amount of the first remuneration category. However, this scheme is only available for scholarship contracts with a duration equal or superior to six months.
The scholarship holders have to submit a request form to the Social Security services of their area of residence. This request must encompass a statement of their condition as research scholarship holders, issued by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), if FCT is the funding agency. If the scholarship is not funded by FCT, the statement proving the activity as research scholarship holder must be issued by the funding or host institution, which can be U.Porto.
More information about the documents to submit can be found on the Practical Guide – Registration, Alteration and Termination of the Voluntary Social Insurance on the Social Security website.
The registration can be done anytime during the duration of the contract. The voluntary social insurance comes into force as soon as the Social Security approves the request – it can take up to 30 days. Once the request is approved, the scholarship holder will be notified, so that he/she can start paying his/her contributions at the start of the coming month. It is advisable to register on the voluntary social insurance as soon as the contract is signed, so that the insurance expenses can be funded within the eligibility period of the project.
Voluntary social insurance beneficiaries have to choose a remuneration category. Then a monthly amount to pay to Social Security is calculated, as well as the benefits that the scholarship holder might receive. When the scholarships are funded by projects, the funding or host institutions will support the amount of the first remuneration category. However, the scholarships holders may choose a different category, yet they have to pay the difference themselves. Information about the value of remuneration categories can be found on the Social Security website.
It is up to the scholarship holder to pay to Social Security and then forward to the funding or host institution the proof of payment, so that he/she can be reimbursed. When these expenses are funded by projects, it is advisable to send these documents in due time to the Project Management Office. The funding or host institution has to pay the amount corresponding to the first remuneration category. If the scholarship holder chooses a superior threshold, he/she must pay the difference.