Partner 15.
Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) -
Portugal

http://alfa.fct.mctes.pt/index.phtml.en

Contact persons
Dr. Catarina Resende (FCT) send mail
ERA-PG coordinator Portugal, call coordinator

Eng. José Bonfim send mail
ERA-PG coordinator at FCT

Prof. Candido P. Pinto Ricardo send mail
National Steering Committee (NSC) member

About FCT
Portugal is represented by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), which is the Portuguese main funding agency for research with the status of a public institute with administrative and financial autonomy, under the aegis of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education.

Linked with the ambition of integrating the European developments in Plant Genomics as Portugal was recently without major emphasis in thematic programmes, there was a bottom up initiative that led to the establishment in July 2004 of the Plant Genomics Platform (PNGPF). The aim of this platform is to develop a network of laboratories involved in plant genomics to coordinate research actions and to provide expensive research facilities for common use; to structure national research programmes on functional genomics in crop plants, in particular important for Mediterranean cultures with economic impact such as woody species; to stimulate collaboration at the national and international level; to serve as a permanent source of information on plant genomics research in Portugal.

Since then the Platform has been cooperating with FCT, namely in ERA-PG related activities. Moreover the platform president, the FCT ERA-PG Network Board member, is coordinating a working group in charge of the design of the national programme in genomics and proteomics. The implementation of the programme was defined in two-steps: a first one already taken that included the provision of a budget line in the 2006 call for the theme of 7 Meuro for a period of 3 years; and the second step, the implementation of the national programme after the proposed design have been discussed and approved.