The Regional Government launched today a tender for the allocation of financial support to scientific research centres of the University of the Azores.

"With an overall budget of 150 thousand Euros, the tender starts today and is open to the 13 scientific research centres of the University of the Azores," said the Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology.

Fausto Brito e Abreu pointed out that the Government allocated 69 thousand Euros to nine scientific research centres of the University of the Azores in2013. The government official stressed that "the financial support awarded by the Government doubled this year. This fact demonstrates the Government's efforts to ensure the sustainability and growth of research centres by providing them with better conditions to develop scientific projects and hire more researchers."

The Regional Secretary visited the Centre for Global History in Ponta Delgada, where he addressed with researchers "the plan developed by the Government for the opening, next year, of applications for advanced training grants and the funding of research projects."

"It was interesting to notice that the most important aspect for our researchers in the field of Human Sciences is the predictability of financial support; rather than the exact amount, it is important to know when they may rely on the financial support to fund the activities carried out by the centre or the entry of grantees," said Fausto Brito e Abreu.

"This is opinion is widespread among researchers in the Region. The Government has listened to this advice and will try to create a schedule for the allocation of support," added the government official.

The Regional Secretary stressed that "the Government of the Azores has increased the estimated annual budget for support to the area of Science in 2015 by 75%.”In addition to supporting these centres, the Government has provided other forms to fund scientific research in the Azores."

Fausto Brito e Abreu highlighted the work carried out by the Centre for Global History, which is dedicated to the study of the History of the Region; its research activities play a relevant role in this area."

"The Centre for Global History demonstrates that the University of the Azores is not limited to the so-called exact sciences. Indeed, this institution conducts an important research in the field of humanities and social sciences," said the government official.

The scientific research centres of the University of the Azores may apply for these support measures provided by the Regional Government until January 17, 2015.