FLAD launches today the fifth edition of the FLAD Science Award Atlantic, maintaining its commitment to research on the Atlantic and its ecosystems, as well as on its sustainable exploitation. The winner of this prize will receive 300 thousand euros to develop their project. Applications for the first phase take place between 1 and 30 June.

Studying the Atlantic is essential to understand very diverse and multidisciplinary areas with an impact on the sustainability of the planet and our quality of life, from the interaction between the oceans, the atmosphere, and space, to climate change, natural phenomena, and sustainability.

In the 5th edition of the FLAD Science Award Atlantic, FLAD will recognize research projects that contribute to the development of maritime science and technology as a means of stimulating innovation and strengthening the sustainable development of the blue economy.

Candidates who have completed their PhD no more than eight years ago are eligible for the Award. For the purposes of counting this period, maternity and paternity leave will be taken into consideration, if applicable, thus reinforcing FLAD’s commitment to promoting and guaranteeing equal opportunities.

What’s our goal?

In the context of the strong commitment to Science and Technology that characterizes FLAD, it is important that this research can develop practical results, such as the creation of strategies, engineering, and technologies, that facilitate our understanding and sustainable exploitation of Atlantic ecosystems.

FLAD wants to support and distinguish young academics, thus promoting the new and promising generation of researchers we have in Portugal, in close collaboration with leading research centers in the US.

Key areas of research for the 2024 edition

The award is open to the areas of study of engineering/technology and environment/natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.

  • Science and technology to promote a healthy and clean ocean, addressing the Atlantic as a natural ecosystem asset;
  • Future impact of climate change on human populations in Atlantic coastal regions and design of mitigation or adaptation actions, including citizen participation;
  • Assess the value of the Atlantic in natural assets and ecosystems, in particular in its contribution to the Blue Economy, using advanced economic analyses and big data;
  • Environmental and energy transition strategies for islands and isolated areas;
  • Sustainable mobility and logistics, in the context of growing digital transformation;
  • New approaches in the planning, observation and management of the Atlantic area, including the preservation of critical ecosystems, making use of observation methods involving low-cost satellite systems, advanced sensor systems, artificial intelligence or data science;

Award

The prize has a value of 300,000 euros, for a maximum of 3 years, which corresponds to 100,000/year.

Jury

The evaluation is made by a jury of excellence composed of four elements:

  • Miguel Miranda, Executive Director of AirCentre, Full Professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon;
  • Pedro Camanho, Full Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, and president of LAETA;
  • Rui Ferreira dos Santos, Professor at CENSE – Center for Research in Environment and Sustainability, Faculty of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon.
  • Elsa Henriques, Associate Professor at instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, and member of the Executive Board of FLAD.

Candidates profile

  • Doctorate, no more than 8 years;
  • Be associated with a research center recognized by FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) in the research areas of this call;
  • Do research in Portugal, independently, autonomously and with scientific quality;
  • Have a declaration of support from the research centre to which the applicant is associated in the research plan;
  • Include a research interaction with a United States entity.

Selection

The prize will be awarded after an analysis of the applications for two phases:

  • 1st Phase: The first phase of applications takes place from June 1st to June 30th, where a review of the candidate’s scientific curriculum is carried out, along with the evaluation of the main ideas presented in the research proposal.
  • 2nd Phase: The best classified candidates in the first phase are invited to participate in a second application phase. It will be necessary to submit the proposal regarding the research plan for the 3 years of the award, between September 13th and October 13th. If any more evaluation element is needed, there is the possibility of conducting a final interview.

The winning candidate will be selected by November 15.

Applications

For the first stage of the application, it is necessary to attach the Applicant Biosketch form.

See the notice of this call (Edital – FLAD Science Award Atlantic 2024 ) to know all the details about the award and the application process.

Submit your application via the online form at the following link: https://flad.secure.force.com/CandidaturaMain?language=pt_PT

Additional information or questions

If you have questions about the award or the application process, please email fatima.fonseca@flad.pt.