Happy Holidays!
To the entire CIIMAR community, we extend our warmest holiday wishes, with health, peace of mind, and good moments spent with those close to you. The year ahead will certainly .....
Newsletter #43
19 December 2025
FRESH OFF THE PRESS!
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Work Programme 2026-2027
Funding Programme
Horizon Europe
Details
The Work Programme for 2026-2027 for the different Pillars is now available. Of particular interest for CIIMAR researchers are the following Work Programmes; however, we invite you to explore all available topics. 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility; 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment; 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area; 12. Missions The European Commission is organising a series of online and hybrid Info Days, so please consult the agendas and save the dates (https://research-innovation-community.ec.europa.eu/events).
BlueActionAA
Funding Programme
Horizon Europe
Details
Funding opportunities currently available through EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” projects via through cascading grants (Financial Support to Third Parties), supported by Horizon Europe. These include calls open under the BlueActionAA - Empowering Community-Led Action in the Atlantic & Arctic project.
L’Oréal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science
Funding Programme
FCT/L'Oréal Portugal/UNESCO
Who can apply?
• Women who, at the opening date of the Call, have obtained their doctoral degree less than five years ago;
• Applicants must not be older than 35 years by the end of 2025;
• For women with children, the age limit is extended by one year for each child.
Deadline
30/01/2026
Details
Four Medals of Honor will be awarded, each worth 15,000 €. The purpose of these awards is to support advanced scientific research studies at post-doctoral level carried out within an institution of the national scientific and technological system, in the fields of Science, Engineering and Technology for Health or the Environment.
European Partnership for Agroecology - 3rd call
Funding Programme
Transnational Joint call - FCT participation
Deadline
18/02/2026
Details
Call "Fostering plant and animal genetic diversity and empowering farmers to accelerate the agroecological transition".
- Topic 1: Enhancing the genetic diversity and variability of crops and livestock for the agroecological transition. Topic 2: Strengthening farmers’ involvement and empowerment in the transition towards agroecology
- Total national budget: €500,000.00. Maximum FCT funding: €250,000.00 for a consortium with Portuguese coordination; €150,000.00 for a consortium with Portuguese participation
FROM IDEAS TO BUSINESS
Launchpad
Type of programme
Acceleration Programme
Who can apply?
Entrepreneurs, teams or startups at Pre-Seed or Seed stage seeking specialised guidance to advance their venture.
Details
The Launchpad acceleration programme (by Driven Venture Builders) turns ambition into execution, offering a structured pathway for founders and early-stage ventures looking to develop, test and scale their ideas. Designed for projects at different maturity levels, the programme provides tailored support through its 01. Ignition, 02. Acceleration, and 03. Investment tracks.
Launchpad offers up to six months of workshops, expert mentoring, networking opportunities and connections with investors — with no equity requirements to participate.
Deadlines:
• Acceleration track: until 28th December 2025
• Investment track: until 22nd March 2026
HiTech
Type of programme
Acceleration Programme
Who can apply?
R&D teams from universities and research centres.
Start-ups developing early-stage deep-tech projects.
Deadline
06/02/2026
Details
HiTech is a hands-on programme designed by HiSeedTech specifically for research teams developing deep-tech projects in Portugal.
Over the course of 18 weeks, teams participate in training sessions, workshops and mentoring sessions, equipping them with the essential skills needed for knowledge commercialisation. This empowers them to transform cutting-edge technologies and scientific discoveries into high-growth business opportunities.
Having supported over 900 researchers and created 63 start-ups, HiTech is offering two tracks in 2026:
Market Pull (industry-led challenges) and Technology Push (your own research project). Participation is free of charge.
Are you a student, researcher or principal investigator interested in learning how to protect your work and maybe explore ways to commercialize your research?
CIIMAR’s Technology Transfer and Business Development Office is here to support you.
Feel free to contact us at: techtransfer@ciimar.up.pt
EVENTS TO DIVE INTO
LEVEL UP YOUR SKILLS
CATCH UP WITH CMIAS
EXHIBITION
"A Look at the World of Sponges"| CMIA Vila do Conde
Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
EXHIBITION
"Shall We Ask Nature?"| CMIA Vila do Conde
Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 16:30
EXHIBITION
"ElasmoFixes: Who are the sharks and rays of the deep sea?"| CMIA Vila do Conde
Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 16:30
EXHIBITION
Portuguese Blue Biobank: Guardian of Marine Treasures | CMIA Matosinhos
Monday to Friday 9:30-12:30 and 14h00-17h30
EXHIBITION
Help, I´m a fish: living the adventure of exploring the Ocean! | CMIA Matosinhos
Monday to Friday 9:30-12:30 and 14:00-17:30
LOOK WHO's NEW
Kleopatra BraniKleopatra
Benthic Ecology and Environmental Solutions
Alberto Velez
Benthic Ecology and Environmental Solutions
José Pinheiral
Animal Genetics and Evolution
Helena Busch
Coastal Biodiversity
Diogo Silva
Bioremediation and Microbes for Sustainability
Salisa Yamauti
Aquatic Animal Health
João Azevedo e Silva
Benthic Ecology and Environmental Solutions
Melissa Espejo
Fish Nutrition and Welfare
Elícas Luaces
Blue Biotechnology, Environment and Health
Inês M. dos Santos
Palaeogenomics and Biodiversity Conservation
Ricardo Maia
Bioremediation and Microbes for Sustainability
JOIN THE CIIMAR CREW
CATCH THE CURRENT
CIIMAR participated in the International Conference on Ocean and Human Health
Pedro Leão and Catarina Magalhães gave oral presentations, and Vítor Vasconcelos presented a keynote lecture.
Green Shields 2025 exhibition on display at the Circle Hall, The Venetian Macao, until Dec. 30
Organized by the Institute of Science and Environment - University of Saint Joseph, with the collaboration of CIIMAR, CMIA Vila do Conde and CMIA Matosinhos
SMOOTH SAILING: SAFETY FIRST!
Safe Lab
Remove Rings, Watches, and Bracelets Before Entering the Lab
Do not wear rings, watches, bracelets, or other accessories when handling hazardous fluids. They can trap liquids against your skin and cause severe burns.
