A new Call is open under the Carnegie Mellon Portugal Program to support Exploratory Research Projects (ERPs) in strategic emerging areas of ICT, funded through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT). The call for applications is open from December 23rd, 2025, until February 10th, 2026 (5 p.m. GMT).
The total funding available for Portuguese research institutions is up to €400.000, supporting a maximum of 8 projects. Each project may receive up to €70,000 for consortia involving multiple Portuguese research institutions, or €50,000 for proposals led by a single institution. Projects will have a duration of up to 12 months, with a planned start in 2026.
All proposals must include at least one Portuguese research institution and a partnering faculty team from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). The CMU researchers will be funded independently through the Carnegie Mellon Portugal Program at a level similar to the Portuguese team.
ERPs aim to support collaborative teams from Portuguese institutions, CMU, and industry partners in launching high-impact research activities in strategic areas,, prioritizing projects that leverage the opportunities of the data economy as a driver of growth and transformation.
The call’s official Announcement and Regulation are available on the webpage “Open Calls for Projects” and FCT’s website.
This is the first Call for ERP projects under Phase IV of the Carnegie Mellon Portugal Program (2025-2030). More information about the previous ERP projects here.
Contacts:
- For scientific inquiries: research@cmuportugal.org
- For application submission inquiries: concursoprojetos@fct.pt
- For specific information regarding the Carnegie Mellon PI requirements or submission: CMUPortugal@andrew.cmu.edu