Applications for the FLAD Science Award Atlantic 2022 are now open. After the success of the first two editions – won by Rui Seabra and Renato Mendes – FLAD continues its focus on research in the Atlantic and its ecosystems, and on its sustainable exploitation, with an edition dedicated to maritime science and technology as a means of stimulating innovation and strengthening the sustainable development of the sea economy.

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.

This year, FLAD will recognize the development of research projects through the creation and development of cross-cutting tools and strategic solutions to current and future challenges in the context of human action in the Atlantic.

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 researchers starting their careers, thus promoting the promising new generation of researchers we have in Portugal, in close collaboration with the main research centers in the US.

Key research areas for the 2022 edition

In the 3rd edition of the FLAD Science Award Atlantic, FLAD will recognize the development of research projects through the creation and development of cross-cutting tools and strategic solutions to current and future challenges in the context of human action in the Atlantic.

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

  • the future impact of climate change on coastal populations in the Atlantic region with the creation of adaptation and mitigation 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;
  • Technologies to promote healthy and clean oceans by looking at the Atlantic as a natural ecosystem that is an asset;
  • Sustainable mobility and logistics, in the context of growing digital transformation;
  • Environmental and energy transition strategies for islands and isolated areas;
  • 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;
  • Production of new technologies such as underwater robotics, unmanned shipping, acoustic communications, sensors and data analysis.

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:

Candidates profile

  • Having a Ph.D. for at most 5 years;
  • Be associated with a research center recognized by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) in the research areas of this open 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 a two-stage application:

  • Phase 1: The first phase of applications runs from 25 February to 25 March, where a review of the candidate’s scientific curriculum is carried out, together with the evaluation of the main ideas presented in the research proposal.
  • Phase 2: The highest-ranked candidates in the first phase are called upon to participate in the second phase of the application. It will be necessary to submit the proposal for the research plan for the 3-year duration of the prize, between April 25 and May 25. If any more evaluation element is needed, there is the possibility of conducting a final interview.

The winning candidate will be selected by June 25.

Applications

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

See the notice of this contest (Flad Science Award Atlantic) for 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.

Follow us through this website and our social media to stay briefed about the selection process.

The future is in the Atlantic!