"In 2026, the FCT will see an 8% increase in the tax portion, which is the largest portion," said Fernando Alexandre during the closing ceremony of the Science 2025 Meeting.

Last year, the main government-run entity funding scientific research in Portugal had an initial allocation of €607 million for 2025, €68 million less than the previous year due to the decrease in the share of European funds.

The budget for 2026 will only be known when the government submits its proposed State Budget for next year, but Fernando Alexandre has already promised an 8% increase in the amount from tax revenue, which last year totalled 486 million euros (26 million more than in 2024).

The goal is to ensure some fiscal predictability, the minister explained, emphasizing the "very clear commitment to science."