Homepage / Business Development Units / Customer Development / FITEC – Innovation, Technology, and Circular Economy Fund

FITEC – Innovation, Technology, and Circular Economy Fund

FITEC – Innovation, Technology and Circular Economy Fund is a financial instrument, the operational management of which is the responsibility of the National Innovation Agency (ANI), created to support the enhancement of scientific and technological knowledge, promoting innovation and cooperation between higher education institutions, Technology and Innovation Centers (CTI) and companies. Its central objective is to foster the transition to a circular economy, encouraging the efficient use of resources.

With a view to enhancing innovation and developing technologies that have a positive impact on the environment and society, FITEC offers different types of funding for activities and projects that help small and medium-sized companies to make their resources efficient throughout the production chain, especially material and energy efficiency in order to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Access to the funding to be awarded takes place through the submission of applications, within the scope of tender procedures, which will be available on the ANI – National Innovation Agency website.

FITEC is the main source of public funding for the Deep2Start program, which supports the Deep Tech Start-up and Scale-up ecosystem, including the Deep Tech Fund, the Go 2 EIC Accelerator vouchers, Deep Tech vouchers, the Start from Knowledge Program and the INOV ID call.

Check the first call for the Deep Tech and Go 2 EIC Accelerator vouchers here.

The allocation of funding by FITEC is governed by the provisions of Council of Ministers Resolution no. 84/2016, of December 21, Decree-Law no. 86-C/2016, of December 29 and Ministerial Order no. 258/2017, of August 21, which approves the FITEC Management Regulations.

The fund’s annual revenue includes transfers from the State Budget, revenue from energy certification fees, among other sources.

OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES

Valuing scientific and technological knowledge, promoting its transfer to companies and its transformation into innovation.

Improve coordination between the different players in the innovation system: Higher Education Institutions, STI and Companies.

Ensuring core funding for STIs that play a relevant role in technology transfer and empowering companies in their transition to a circular economy, namely by contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and thus mitigating climate change.

Increasing R&D (Research and Development) and Innovation capacity in small and medium-sized companies, boosting their connection to the innovation system through the STI.

Promoting innovation that leads to efficient and productive use of material and energy resources through STI.

Facilitate the access of STIs and companies to highly qualified human resources, promoting qualified employment.

FUND MANAGEMENT

According to Ordinance No. 258/2017 of August 21 [PDF], [PDF], the Fund’s governing bodies are the Executive Commission and the Sole Auditor.

The Fund is managed as follows:

TECHNICAL ASPECT

The Executive Commission consists of:

– Two members from the Board of Directors of ANI — National Innovation Agency, S.A. (ANI, S.A.);

– One member appointed by the government official responsible for the economy sector.

FINANCIAL ASPECT

Banco Português de Fomento.

The member of the Government responsible for the economic area is responsible for appointing the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The executive committee’s management of the Fund is carried out with the technical, administrative and logistical support of ANI, S. A., which also ensures the procedures for contracting the goods and services necessary for its operation.