Running from 2021 to 2027, Portugal 2030 is structured around 5 strategic objectives and 1 specific objective of the European Union, aimed at making Europe:

• Greener
• More connected
• More social
• Closer to its citizens
• Focused on a just transition
• Smarter

It is implemented through 12 programmes that provide funding based on the region in which projects are developed or the sector in which they operate.

     Thematic Programmes 

• COMPETE 2030: Focused on innovation and digital transition.
• Pessoas 2030: Focused on demographics, skills and inclusion.
• Sustentável 2030: Focused on climate action and sustainability.
• Mar 2030: Focused on fisheries sustainability, energy efficiency, decarbonisation and biodiversity.

     Regional Programmes 

     Established in line with territorial policies and the decentralisation process, these programmes have dedicated budgets for each region of Portugal:

• Norte 2030
• Centro 2030
• Lisboa 2030
• Alentejo 2030
• Algarve 2030
• Açores 2030
• Madeira 2030

     Technical Assistance Programme

• PAT 2030: Dedicated to entities involved in the coordination and management of funds.

     European Territorial Cooperation Programmes

• Operational programmes implemented in partnership with other EU Member States, covering cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation, as well as cooperation involving the EU’s outermost regions (e.g. Interreg).

The target audience varies according to the call type, the incentive scheme and the application procedure. The plan includes 2 types of funding opportunities:

• Calls for applications: Open to companies of all sizes, including startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies and small mid-caps, as well as Non-Business Entities of the Research and Innovation System (ENESII).
• Direct invitations: Addressed to organisations such as AICEP, IAPMEI, competitiveness clusters and central government bodies, among others.

The following currently open calls are particularly relevant to the healthcare innovation ecosystem: 

• STEP – Inovação Produtiva – Digital e Biotecnologia (MPr-2026-10)

Incentive scheme: Plataforma de Tecnologias Estratégicas para a Europa (STEP)

Type of operation: Productive Innovation

Eligible investments: Productive investment operations in STEP strategic sectors aimed at manufacturing critical technologies and/or preserving and strengthening their respective value chains, in the fields of digital technologies and deep-tech innovation, and biotechnology.

Application procedure and eligible beneficiaries: Individual applications submitted by companies of any size, nature or legal form, located in any of the mainland NUTS II regions (Norte, Centro, Alentejo and Algarve).

Maximum co-financing rate: 70% or 50% for projects funded under the Algarve Regional Programme (PR Algarve).

Application period: 30 September 2026 to 4 January 2027, 5:00 PM (PT Time)

• STEP – I&D&I Empresarial – Digital e Biotecnologia (MPr-2026-9)

Incentive scheme: Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)

Type of operation: Business Research, Development and Innovation (R&D&I)

Eligible investments: Integrated business research, development and innovation operations aimed at developing and manufacturing critical technologies and/or preserving and strengthening their respective value chains in strategic sectors covered by STEP.

Application procedure and eligible beneficiaries: Collaborative applications involving companies of any size from the mainland NUTS II regions (Norte, Centro, Alentejo and Algarve). ENESII, including entities located in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, are also eligible beneficiaries for operations funded under the Innovation and Digital Transition Programme.

Maximum co-financing rate: 80% for companies and 85% for ENESII.

Application period: 30 September 2026 to 4 January 2027, 5:00 PM (PT Time)

• SICE – Inovação Produtiva – Rede de Fornecedores Inovadores (MPr-2026-8) 

Incentive scheme: Business Competitiveness Incentive System (SICE)

Type of operation: Productive Innovation

Eligible investments: Innovative operations resulting in the production of tradable and internationalisable goods and services, with high added value and a high level of domestic content.

Application procedure and eligible beneficiaries: Individual applications submitted by SMEs belonging to The Navigator Company, S.A.’s Suppliers Network.

Maximum co-financing rate: Between 40% and 60%, depending on the funding programme.

Application period: 30 September 2026 to 30 December 2026, 5:00 PM (PT Time)

• SIID – I&D Empresarial – Projetos Demonstradores Individuais e em Copromoção (MPr-2026-7)

Incentive scheme: Research and Development Incentive System (SIID)

Type of operation: Business R&D

Eligible investments: Industrial research and experimental development operations aimed at creating new products, processes or services, or introducing significant improvements to existing products, processes or services.

Application procedure and eligible beneficiaries: Individual applications are open to SMEs and small mid-caps. For collaborative applications, ENESII are also eligible beneficiaries, including entities located in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, where operations are funded under the Innovation and Digital Transition Programme.

Maximum co-financing rate: Between 40% and 80%, depending on the funding programme.

Application period: 14 July 2026 to 29 December 2026, 5:00 PM (PT Time)

• SIID – Internacionalização de I&D – Operações de I&D industrial à escala europeia (MPr-2026-4)

Incentive scheme: Research and Development Incentive System (SIID)

Eligible investments: Operations providing national co-financing to Portuguese entities participating in European R&D projects where co-financing is provided exclusively through national funding sources.

Application procedure and eligible beneficiaries: Individual applications are open to SMEs and small mid-caps. For collaborative applications, ENESII are also eligible beneficiaries, including entities located in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, where operations are funded under the Innovation and Digital Transition Programme.

Maximum co-financing rate: Between 40% and 80% (or 85% for ENESII), depending on the funding programme.

Third application phase: 30 September 2026 to 29 December 2026, 5:00 PM (PT Time)

Available budgets and co-financing rates vary depending on the specific call for applications.

An annual Call Schedule is published each year, setting out the planned opening and closing dates of funding calls for the relevant period. The current annual schedules, including calls planned through August 2027, are available here.