The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Ponta Delgada that "the Regional Government is determined to open applications for scientific research grants this year."

Fausto Brito e Abreu spoke Thursday during a visit to the Centre for Research on Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO-Açores), where he acknowledged the work developed by this research centre to promote the knowledge on the biodiversity of the Azores, environmental education and scientific dissemination.

The CIBIO Açores, which is belongs to the Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (InBio), was recently awarded a "Very Good" rating in the in the evaluation of national research centres that was carried out by the Foundation for Science and Technology.

Answering the questions posed by researchers on the funding of new scientific research grants, Fausto Brito e Abreu mentioned that "there was a period when many research grants that are about to end were awarded. Now, the Government will open an application for the hiring of new researchers during the transition phase to new Community Framework."

The Regional Secretary noted that one of the concerns raised by the members of CIBIO is related to "the end of the grant period for some post-doctoral fellows in particular but also for doctoral fellows, who play a vital role in the maintenance of the research conducted by this centre."

"This year, the Regional Government has determined the opening of the application for the awarding of scientific research grants," Fausto Brito e Abreu said, adding that he hopes that "researchers remaining in these centres and that new researchers may be able to continue the ongoing research."

Furthermore, Brito e Abreu mentioned that "the schedule for the awarding of grants is dependent on the publication of Community funds, which are essential to multiply the regional budget for Science."

The provision of more employment contracts in the area of scientific research was one of the proposals presented by some researchers at CIBIO.

Brito e Abreu admitted that "employment contracts are more advantageous to researchers as it gives them more stability and social benefits." However, he reminded that "due to the scarcity of resources, this proposal should be analysed taking into account the current research grant model."

"In order to provide more employment contracts, which imply additional costs, we need to have less researchers. We must evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of this proposal and find a balance that best serves the Region," stressed the Regional Secretary.