The mission of FCT (Fundação para a Ciênica e a Tecnologia) consists of continuously promoting the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge in Portugal, exploring opportunities that become available in any scientific or technological domain to attain the highest international standards in the creation of knowledge, and to stimulate their diffusion and contribution to improve education, health, environment, and the quality of life and well-being of the general public. In 1997, it succeeded the former institution Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica e Tecnológica. Science and technology are considered in a broad sense including exact, natural and health sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.
This mission is mainly accomplished through the financing, subsequent to the evaluation of their merit, of proposals presented by institutions, research teams or individuals in public open calls, and also through cooperation agreements and other forms of support in partnership with universities and other public or private institutions.
The results of the activities of FCT are, in essence, the additional contributions of individuals, research groups and institutions who have been awarded financing.
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ICS, an Associated State Laboratory, is a university institution devoted to research and advanced training in the social sciences.
The mission of ICS is to study contemporary societies with a special emphasis on Portugal and the societies and cultures with which Portugal has an historical relationship, either in Europe or in other regions of the world. Researchers and the ideas they put forward are the driving force of ICS. The high number of postgraduates engaged in research in a wide range of disciplines and a vitality acquired over the years make ICS a key institution in this field of knowledge in both Portugal and Europe. In terms of methodology, ICS research involves a broad range of procedures, including the study of documents, ethnographic methods, qualitative studies, studies involving representative samples and experimental methods.
