Whether your entity belongs to the private, public, social, or cooperative sector, Portugal 2030 (PT 2030) offers a wide range of non-refundable funding opportunities that can be the catalyst you need to bring your ideas to life, innovate, and grow. Between 2021 and 2027, around €23 thousand million will be allocated to Portugal, distributed across different programmes and strategic priorities. Experience shows that anticipating funding opportunities is essential and requires an informed search based on the right sources. Going directly to the Annual Call Plan may seem like the most obvious first step, but without prior screening it often proves ineffective. We will present, step by step, the method that will enable you to identify the opportunities that truly matter to you, avoiding wasted time on calls that are not suitable for your organisation and ensuring that you do not miss a single opportunity.

1. Start by looking inward: conduct a needs assessment

The first step must always be internal. It is essential to diagnose the organization to identify specific needs or gaps (whether in digitalization, internationalization, training, or sustainability) that can be addressed through a funded project.

2. Find the right program(s) for your sector and/or geography

Contrary to popular belief, PT 2030 is not a single program, but a set of several programs with distinct characteristics and goals. You have four thematic programs at your disposal (such as COMPETE 2030, for the economy, digital transition, and innovation, and PESSOAS 2030, focusing on employment and qualifications) and seven regional programs, according to the different NUTS II regions (e.g., Norte 2030, Centro 2030, and Lisboa 2030). Identifying which of these programs covers your field of activity and/or the location of your investments is the first crucial filter. Note: These documents are sometimes amended by the respective managing authorities; therefore, you should ensure you always consult the most up-to-date version through official program sources.

3. Validate alignment with the program priorities

Each program has predefined strategic priorities, in line with the multi-annual agreement signed with the European Commission. Analyze them carefully and choose those that have a direct link to the needs you identified in step 1.

4. Select the specific objective(s)

Within each priority, there are specific objectives, some of which are common across different programmes. Select the one(s) that best reflect the aims of your project. Take note of the selected objectives (do not forget the letters and numbers that precede them), as this will be useful for identifying funding opportunities until the end of PT 2030 and across programmes.

5. Explore the types of action

Types of action constitute the most detailed level of the programme, corresponding to the actions to be funded throughout its implementation and contributing to the achievement of the different specific objectives. Through their analysis, it is possible to anticipate all calls to be published until the end of the partnership agreement. If your project fits the description of the action type, its target beneficiaries, and the expected results, it is very likely that you have identified the right opportunity – take note of it.

6. Consult the Annual Calls Plan

Now that you know exactly which specific objective(s) and type(s) of action you are looking for, head to the "Plano Anual de Avisos" (Annual Calls Plan) section on the PT 2030 website or the respective programs' websites. Use the search filters to find the desired grant, check if the call is already planned and its expected opening date. You can further refine your search on this site by selecting the type of promoter and the investment region. If a planned call aligns with your project, now is the right time to start designing it and moving forward with your application prep. Talk to us and increase your probability of success. Enspire Science is here to help you through every stage of your application.

Conclusion

Following these steps will allow you not only to master the complexity of PT 2030 but also to convert it into a strategic management tool. By monitoring funding opportunities in advance, you guarantee the time necessary to structure a high-quality project and application, ensuring a level of readiness that is vital in a demanding and competitive market.

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