At CEDIS, we understand the importance of acknowledging the support provided by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) in our activities. Below, we explain why this requirement is important and how we comply with it.
The Source of CEDIS Funding
The Portuguese Government receives revenue from various sources, primarily from taxes paid by citizens. These include, among others, income tax, value added tax (VAT), and property taxes.
Part of the revenue collected by the Government is allocated to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education. The FCT is a public institute that receives funding from this Ministry.
As a Research & Development Centre within the Portuguese scientific system, CEDIS submits projects to the FCT and, once these projects are approved, receives funding for their implementation.
The Importance of Acknowledging FCT Support
Acknowledging FCT support is a matter of transparency, allowing the public to know that our research is funded through public resources derived from taxpayers' contributions. It is also a way of demonstrating that these funds are being used responsibly and productively. This is essential for maintaining public trust in research institutions.
Furthermore, demonstrating that our research is supported by a renowned institution such as the FCT enhances the credibility and prestige of our work. Compliance with funding acknowledgement and publicity requirements is also a positive factor in future application assessments.
Ultimately, demonstrating the results achieved through the funding we receive helps justify the allocation of resources to scientific research.
FCT Publicity Requirements
Acknowledgement
For this reason, all work funded by the FCT through CEDIS must include the following acknowledgement:
This work was funded by FCT, I.P., under project UID/00714/2020 (CEDIS/NOVA School of Law).
Failure to acknowledge the FCT prevents the work from being considered as evidence of the outputs resulting from FCT's multiannual funding and entails the risk of penalties that may affect the allocation of future funding.
Even work that has not incurred direct costs, such as proofreading, has benefited from, or at least had access to, a range of resources whose costs were covered by the FCT. These include subscriptions to digital platforms, as well as overhead costs associated with maintaining the infrastructure from which all researchers benefit.
If you receive additional funding, this should be added to the wording above, as applicable:
(…) and under PhD Grant PD/BD/XXXXXX/20XX.
(…) and under a CEEC (Ref. XXXXX).
(…) and under the Transitional Provision (Decree-Law 57/2016/CPxxxx/CTxxxx).
Logo
In addition to the acknowledgement, all dissemination and communication activities carried out within the framework of CEDIS must include a clearly visible reference to the funding received through the use of the FCT logo.
For dissemination activities with an international reach, the national emblem of the Portuguese Republic must also be displayed alongside the FCT logo.
The logo must be included in the following materials and in the locations indicated:
- Brochures, books, journals, posters, covers, scientific articles (where possible), and all printed materials, whether produced typographically or by other means: on the front or back cover, or otherwise in a clearly visible location;
- Websites: on the homepage and on the project's information page;
- Films and electronic animations: at the beginning;
- All materials and documents produced for events, conferences, seminars, workshops, and public presentations, including invitations, tickets, certificates of attendance or equivalent documents, exhibition stands, PowerPoint presentations and other digital presentations: in a clearly visible location;
- Printed advertisements: in the footer or an equivalent location;
- Calls for research grants within projects: in the footer or an equivalent location, whenever possible;
- Press releases: in all press releases and communication activities carried out with media organisations.
Acknowledging Funding in Oral Activities
A question that frequently arises concerns how FCT support should be acknowledged in oral activities, such as lectures or presentations.
If you use PowerPoint in your presentations, it is essential to include the FCT logo on the slides.
If you do not intend to use PowerPoint during your presentation:
- You may project another type of document, such as a PDF or Word document containing the FCT logo;
- Even if you do not use PowerPoint throughout the presentation, you may display an image or a single slide containing the title of your presentation and the FCT logo;
- You may distribute printed handouts containing a summary of the presentation and, of course, the FCT logo.
And do not forget to take a photograph. At CEDIS, we will publish a news item about your presentation, demonstrating how we give back to society the knowledge we produce, how that knowledge is tested and shared within the scientific community, and how we comply with funding acknowledgement and publicity requirements.
Conclusion
Including the FCT acknowledgement and logo in our activities is not merely a formal obligation. It is a practice that brings significant benefits to researchers, our institution, and the scientific community as a whole.
It is a way of recognising the support received, promoting transparency, and strengthening a culture of scientific funding. It also allows us to demonstrate to citizens that their taxes are being used to promote science and social progress.
For CEDIS members, we provide below a selection of logos as well as the FCT Publicity Guidelines.
We are available to provide any additional materials or guidance that may be required to ensure compliance with these guidelines.