The Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture said today that the Azorean Government will comply with all contracts signed with grant holders as "they have never been in danger."

"It is important to know that all contracts signed with grant holders will be maintained as well as the principle of quality and excellence," stated Luiz Fagundes Duarte.

The Regional Secretary spoke to journalists at the end of a meeting with the Dean of the University of the Azores in Ponta Delgada. According to him, "as it is common practice among universities and scientific circles, all grant holders are evaluated because they have signed a contract and, therefore, they must comply with its provisions."

Luiz Fagundes Duarte added that part of the funds for the payment of doctoral and post-doctoral grants are allocated by the Region through the Fund of Science; the remaining funds are allocated by European social funds.

"The amounts provided in the Plan of the Region are sufficient to meet the Region's obligations in this process as we have the financial support of European social funds," assured the Regional Secretary.

Regarding the creation of new grants, Luiz Fagundes Duarte said that "the awarding of grants will be subject to new criteria that will be defined in due time, taking into account the Region's interest and the goals we wish to accomplish with our contribution to the development of science in the Azores."
 
According to the Regional Secretary, "the contracts will be maintained and grant holders will be evaluated, which is standard practice in scientific circles and universities."

Luiz Fagundes Duarte explained that the assessment of grant holders will serve as a starting point for deciding whether or not to renew a grant. "If the grant holder complies with the provisions of the contract, the grant remains under the terms of the contract otherwise it will be withdrawn, as it happens with any contract when one of the parties fails to meet the goals set."

The Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture also stressed that the amount paid by the Region in the case of doctoral and post-doctoral grants "is higher than that paid by the Foundation for Science and Technology nationwide." He also noted that regional grants include full payment of tuitions and insurances."

"The conditions for the awarding of grants will be revised in terms of rigour, accountability, the powers and interests of the Region," the Regional Secretary stated, revealing that "there could be, given the Region's interests, a decrease in the number of grants; however the amounts will be maintained."