The National Innovation Agency (ANI) has published a revision of the rules for the recognition of suitability in research and development (R&D) under SIFIDE, establishing the process for determining the eligibility of innovative companies to attract investment through SIFIDE funds. These changes align with the strategy for administrative simplification and reduction of contextual costs, reinforced in the Government Program and the recently published “Compass for Competitiveness” by the European Commission.

Key Changes:

• Foreign companies with a presence in Portugal for less than a year may use their R&D investment history in their home country as proof of their innovative activity, simplifying the recognition process.
• Possibility of conditional recognition for newly established companies that, at the time of application, do not yet have consolidated R&D teams or are unable to present the previous year’s financial report.
• The requirement to submit two external technical opinions is no longer necessary, with the technical evaluation of R&D projects now being conducted exclusively by ANI specialists.
• Implementation of a simplified process for startups incubated in duly certified incubators.

With these changes, the goal is to boost the R&D ecosystem in Portugal by enhancing the attractiveness of the SIFIDE program.

Check the regulations here.