New ideas - Portugal

Updated 03/2011

Legal requirements

The Innovation Agency (AdI) aims to promote innovation and technological development by strengthening relations between the world of research and the Portuguese business environment.

Working in conjunction with various government departments, technology centres, business associations and other stakeholders in the science and technology sector in Portugal, the AdI also has a policy of encouraging international cooperation, by acting as a bridge to the European Union, Asia, Latin America and various international R&D organisations.

Innovation Agency

Technological innovation

There are various bodies whose goal is to develop technological innovation in business.

We would highlight the Innovation Agency, the Technology Centres, the Technology Parks and the European Business Innovation Centres .

European Business Innovation Centres

Alongside innovation, access to R&D is essential for businesses to develop and stay competitive.

Research — Portugal

Intellectual property must be protected to encourage innovation.

Intellectual property — Portugal

Resources

The Innovation Agency (AdI) manages a series of programmes aimed at encouraging technological development and innovation. These are targeted at businesses and other organisations within the National Science and Technology System (SCTN).

Innovation Agency

The Innovation Agency (AdI) offers a Technology Supply and Demand Grant, which must be used to find partners and also search for results and information on the most recent technological innovations.

Technology Supply and Demand Grant

Programmes

The Institute for Support to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Innovation (IAPMEI) manages the Innovation Scoring programme, which aims to encourage businesses to develop innovation in a systematic, efficient and effective way. Businesses can therefore measure their innovation performance and potential. The programme includes initiatives to provide expert technical advice and find partners. On this basis, a summary is prepared and appropriate financing programmes are selected.

Innovation Scoring

The incentives intended for business under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF 2007-2013) include the following schemes:

Incentive Scheme for Research and Technological Development in Business (IS R&TD);
Incentive Scheme for the Qualification and Internationalisation of SMEs (SME Incentive Scheme); and
Incentive Scheme for Innovation (IS Innovation).

IS Innovation supports productive innovation investment projects developed by businesses either individually or cooperatively. Its objectives are to encourage innovation in the business environment, introduce technological improvements, guide businesses towards international markets, support skilled entrepreneurship and increase structural investment in new areas with growth potential.