According to information released by PLANAPP, 27 applications (provisional results) were approved out of 60 eligible proposals. The projects cover 20 priority thematic areas defined by REPLAN – the Network of Planning and Foresight Services of Public Administration, within the framework of the Thematic Agendas of the Portugal 2030 Strategy.

Each study is expected to be completed by 31 March 2026, culminating in the delivery of a policy brief containing evidence-based recommendations addressing identified public challenges. The projects are led by researchers from different scientific fields and regions of the country, developed in close collaboration with Public Administration entities and involving multiple governmental areas.

With total funding of around €1.3 million, this edition stands out as the most competitive since the launch of the programme in 2023, reflecting the growing engagement of the scientific community in the development of sustainable and relevant solutions for public policy challenges.

PLANAPP will ensure the technical and strategic monitoring of the projects, guaranteeing an effective link between scientific production and the political and administrative contexts in which the studies are conducted.

Iscte projects approved in this edition:

Pillar “Competitiveness and Cohesion”

• Project: Urban Circularity in Portugal: A participatory, modular and adaptive approach
• Principal Investigator: Cristina Sousa, Centre for International Studies (CEI-Iscte)
• Thematic Line: LT27 – Measuring urban circularity

This project aims to develop a panel of indicators to measure and promote urban circularity across different territorial contexts.

• Project: Dynamic analysis of the impact generated by public support instruments for arts and culture in cross-border and low-density areas
• Principal Investigator: Sérgio Caramelo, Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-Iscte)
• Thematic Line: LT25 – Cultural and economic impact of the POCTEP and PIS Programmes

This project seeks to create a dynamic model to assess the impact of cultural policies in low-density and border regions.

Pillar “People First”

• Project: Radar under review: a study and evaluation of the institutional and local limits and potential of the Radar Social programme
• Principal Investigator: Renato Miguel do Carmo, Inequality Observatory (CIES-Iscte)
• Thematic Line: LT4 – Poverty and social exclusion

This project will evaluate the effectiveness of the Radar Social programme, based on the experience of field agents.

• Project: Indicator Framework for Cultural Human Rights – participation, access and contribution to cultural life
• Principal Investigator: José Soares Neves, Portuguese Observatory on Cultural Activities (OPAC) of CIES-Iscte
• Thematic Line: LT2 – System of indicators for cultural rights

This project aims to create a system of indicators to monitor cultural rights in Portugal, in line with international standards.

Pillar “Digitalisation, Innovation and Qualification”

• Project: Equity and Inclusion in Public Administration
• Principal Investigator: José Nogueira, CIES-Iscte
• Thematic Line: LT9 – Professional training of Public Administration workers

This project will develop and test a training programme on inclusion and equity for local authorities, with potential for nationwide replication.

The strong participation of Iscte in this call reinforces the institution’s role in producing knowledge that is applied and oriented towards public action, in line with the principles of the SocioDigital Lab for Public Policy, which promotes the mobilisation of science in building more effective, inclusive and evidence-based public policies.