In order to further promote moderately diversified economic development, accelerate the integration of industry, academia and research, and strengthen technological innovation and international cooperation, the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) has recently launched several new types of funding schemes. These schemes cover four major areas: scientific research and innovation, research platforms, international cooperation and science and technology talent. They aim to further advance the transformation of research outcomes, foster technological exchanges between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries as well as global research institutions, and cultivate and attract science and technology talent, injecting new momentum into industrial development. To ensure that the academic sector, enterprises and researchers have a clearer understanding of the details of the new schemes, FDCT has recently held dedicated briefing sessions targeting representatives from higher education institutions and technology enterprises, where the application criteria, assessment standards and scope of support of each funding scheme were introduced in detail.

Focusing on Industry Needs and Promoting Research Commercialisation
To facilitate collaborative innovation between universities and enterprises and promote the transformation of research outcomes, FDCT will launch the "Scientific Research and Innovation Funding Scheme – Demand-driven Type" this year, encouraging academia to conduct applied research in response to the actual needs of enterprises, thereby advancing technological implementation. The scheme addresses technical bottlenecks of enterprises in Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and incorporates enterprise needs into the application guidelines, guiding research forces to effectively align with industrial development. This year, a total of 21 technological needs from enterprises have been announced, covering four major areas: Traditional Chinese Medicine and the big health industry, biomedicine, digital technology, and integrated circuits. In addition, the newly launched "Scientific Research and Innovation Funding Scheme – Translational Entrepreneurship Type" focuses on supporting the commercialisation of scientific research achievements from higher education institutions, helping research results to enter the market through the establishment of start-ups, and contributing to the enhancement of Macao’s innovation and technology ecosystem.

Strengthening Platform Support and Enhancing Technological R&D and Industrial Development
In order to pool scientific research talent and superior technological resources, explore frontier research, promote collaboration among industry, academia and research, and facilitate the transformation of outcomes, FDCT has launched the "Research Platform Funding Scheme". Through the construction of multi-level platforms, the scheme seeks to play a catalytic role in improving the research conditions in Macao and strengthening its technological capacity. The scheme includes six types of platforms: national-level platforms, R&D platforms, translational platforms, joint platforms, support platforms, and equipment-based platforms.

Deepening International Cooperation and Expanding the Portuguese-speaking Technology Network
In terms of international cooperation, FDCT has launched the "Funding Scheme for External Scientific and Technological Cooperation – International Collaborative Research Type" to promote joint research between Macao and leading global research institutions. Meanwhile, the "Funding Scheme for External Scientific and Technological Cooperation – Joint Funding Type (FDCT and São Paulo Research Foundation of Brazil)" will further strengthen technological cooperation between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries (such as Brazil), leveraging Macao’s unique role as a “Sino-Portuguese Platform for Technological Cooperation” to promote cross-border technology exchange and industrial connectivity.

Comprehensive Support for S&T Talent – Building a Hub of Innovation
Talent is the key driver of technological development. To this end, the FDCT has launched the “Funding Scheme for S&T R&D Talent in Macao”, which includes:

• Enterprise R&D Talent Type, to support enterprises in cultivating and attracting R&D talent, thereby enhancing their innovation capabilities;
• Postdoctoral Type, to fund local higher education institutions in recruiting postdoctoral researchers and strengthening high-level scientific research capabilities;
• Talent Repatriation Type, to encourage overseas Macao-origin S&T talent to return and contribute to the local innovation ecosystem;
• Talent Introduction Type, to attract world-class S&T talent to Macao and enhance the city’s international competitiveness in research and development.

Dedicated Briefing Sessions to Facilitate Interaction and Communication
During the dedicated briefing sessions, FDCT representatives provided detailed explanations of the funding schemes recently launched, helping applicants better understand the objectives, key considerations and application details. The sessions also facilitated in-depth interactions between FDCT representatives and participants, during which questions were answered and feedback collected, with the aim of continuously improving the fund’s management mechanisms to better serve the research community.

Applications Must Be Submitted Online Within the Respective Application Periods

• Scientific Research and Innovation Funding Scheme
  • Demand-driven Type: 23 April to 23 May
  • Translational Entrepreneurship Type: 30 May to 30 June
• Research Platform Funding Scheme
  • R&D Platforms: 23 April to 13 June
  • Support Platforms: 23 April to 23 May
  • Equipment-based Platforms: 23 April to 13 June
• Funding Scheme for External Scientific and Technological Cooperation
  • International Collaborative Research Type: 1 April to 30 April
  • Joint Funding Type (FDCT and São Paulo Research Foundation of Brazil): 15 April to 13 June
• Funding Scheme for S&T R&D Talent
  • Enterprise R&D Talent Type and Postdoctoral Type: 23 April to 23 May
  • Talent Repatriation Type and Talent Introduction Type: 30 May to 29 July

Details of each funding scheme are available on the FDCT website. Applications must be submitted through the FDCT Online Application System (www.fdct.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 2878 8777 or email saf@fdct.gov.mo.

FDCT will continue to optimise its funding mechanisms, promote scientific and technological innovation and international cooperation in Macao, and play a greater role in supporting the moderately diversified development of the economy.