The Regional Fund for Science and Technology participates in the call for proposals on the theme Towards EU Regional Economic Convergence - Pilot Projects to Reinforce collaboration Among clusters and technology centres.

 The Smart Growth Strategy proposal for the Blue Economy in the Atlantic Area Regions, also designated by the acronym SMART ATLANTIC, is presented by a consortium of 10 organisations from three countries, including Portugal, Spain and Ireland.

 According to the president the Regional Fund for Science and Technology, "the main objective" of this call is the joint development of a cooperation strategy that is capable of "identifying synergies and opportunities to maximise innovation and productivity in these Atlantic regions."

 For Nelson Simões, this type of cooperation might have "a strong multiplier effect" in the implementation of the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (RIS3). In fact, it is "a decisive step towards the establishment of partnerships that enable the channelling other funding sources for the Azores.”

 In addition to the Regional Fund for Science and Technology, the Region is represented in this partnership by the University of the Azores and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores.

 This call is sponsored by the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises of the European Commission. The results will be released within 90 days.