Introduction to AI²
This Wednesday, the new Agency for Research and Innovation (AI²) was officially presented, marking a significant merger between the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the National Innovation Agency (ANI). It is set to begin operations in January 2026, streamlining efforts in scientific and technological advancement.
Legal Framework and Changes
The decree-law for creating AI² was approved in September and was awaiting promulgation by the President of the Republic. However, the diploma must return to the Council of Ministers due to amendments introduced by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation (MECI), detailed in a recent press conference. A key change involves the agency's legal nature: AI² will be a Public Business Entity (E.P.E.), rather than the initially planned Sociedade Anónima (S.A.). This revision aims to provide greater flexibility, enabling agreements and contracts with public entities across different government areas and private organizations.
Mission and Objectives
As highlighted by MECI, AI²'s mission is to "promote, fund, and evaluate scientific research and the development of technological and business innovation in Portugal". It will also "stimulate the promotion, development, and evaluation of actions and activities in fundamental research, applied research, knowledge valorization, and technological development and innovation", guided by multi-year program contracts and mission letters.
Funding and Strategic Planning
Previously, the ministry indicated that agency funding would be multi-annual, based on five-year program contracts. These contracts will define research areas, strategic domains, and state budget allocations for each. To establish these strategic domains and budget allocations, the ministry outlined several steps:
- Evaluation of strategic planning and consultation with relevant government areas.
- After community input, scenario development for allocation by PLANAPP (Center for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies).
- Approval by Council of Ministers Resolution, followed by publication of strategic challenges and budget distribution.
- Finalization with the signing of the multi-year program contract.
For the 2026-2031 program contract, each research and development area will have a stable budget allocation from tax revenues, intended to fund fundamental research, doctoral education, scientific careers, institutions, and scientific and technological infrastructures.
Monitoring and Evaluation
According to the ministry, funding program execution will be continuously monitored. This includes:
- Collection and processing of operational, financial, and scientific data related to program execution.
- Quantification of results with objective, pre-defined metrics.
- Conducting an "independent multi-annual evaluation, both national and international, with results made public".
- Preparation of annual progress reports submitted to PLANAPP, DGEPA, DGE, and CNCTI, which will be published and disseminated.
Consultation Process and Transition
The government has initiated a consultation process for AI², where the decree-law will be presented to relevant entities in the scientific and innovation ecosystem, and their opinions will be sought. With the creation of AI², FCT and ANI will be dissolved, and approximately 400 personnel will be transferred to the new agency, as reported by Observador.
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