The Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) -2026 Funding Scheme for Scientific Research and Innovation

Dear leaders and colleagues:

Our university has received notification from the Macau Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) that applications for the "2026 Funding Scheme for Scientific Research and Innovation" is opened on January 9, 2026. The funding categories include：

Capability enhancement: Research projects initiated by new researchers and those interested in enhancing their research capabilities. The amount of funding applied for this type shall not exceed MOP500,000. 

Basic research: Basic or applied basic research projects carried out to enhance the capacity of cutting-edge original innovation. The amount of funding applied for this type shall not exceed MOP3 million. 

Applied research: Applied research projects for the application of science and technology in real scenarios. The amount of funding applied for this type shall not exceed MOP3 million. 

Transformation and Entrepreneurship Category: R&D projects aimed at transforming scientific research and technological innovation outcomes into practical applications in the industrial sector. The maximum funding amount for this category is MOP 5 million.

Project Duration： Capability enhancement: The funding term does not exceed two years. 2. For the Basic Research, Applied Research, Transformation and Entrepreneurship, the funding period shall not exceed three years.

Requirements for Expected Project Findings

Capability enhancement: The expected research results include but are not limited to academic or applied results. 

Basic research: The expected research results include but are not limited to academic or applied results. The technology maturity shall be at Level 3 or below at the time of project closure. 

Applied research: The expected research results shall include outputs such as software, hardware (prototypes, samples), technical standards, formulations, new materials, and new processes, and the economic or social benefits that will be brought about by the implementation of the project shall also be stated. The technology maturity of the project shall be at Level 4 or above at the time of project closure. 

Transformation and Entrepreneurship Category: The expected research outcomes must include software, hardware (prototypes, pilot models), technical standards, formulas, new materials, or new processes. At project completion, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) must reach Level 7 or above (for projects requiring clinical trials, the required TRL is Level 6 or above). Additionally, during the funding period, the project team must establish a company in Macao or Hengqin, with at least three fulltime employees.

Special Note： 

Capability Enhancement project: The project leader shall have been employed by the higher education institution for no more than five years as of the date of public application for this type and hold a position not higher than assistant professor or equivalent. 

For Basic research & Applied Research: in case of collaboration with a commercial entrepreneur or commercial enterprise, such commercial entrepreneur or commercial enterprise shall provide the self-owned funds no less than 10% of the amount funded by FDCT. 

For the Transformation and Entrepreneurship Category, the following requirements must be met: (1) The Project Leader must have been granted at least four invention patents related to the R&D topic.(2) The Project Leader must have received a total FDCT-approved funding of no less than MOP 6 million for related topics within the five years preceding the application period. (3) The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the project must be at Level 4 or above.

Please note that the other funding requirements and rules remain unchanged. For more details please check https://www.fdct.gov.mo/en/research_and_innovation_details/article/bresearch.html The application form shall be subject to the version provided by FDCT.

Starting from January 1, 2026, FDCT will launch a new project application system. All project applications must be submitted through the new system, and applications submitted via the old system will not be accepted.

In addition, we would like to remind you that colleagues who are interested in applying for the application must fill out the online system（https://grants-pri.fdct.gov.mo/irisweb/dashboard）and obtain the approval from your Faculty/ Research Institute/ Research Supervisor of Department, then get the original recommendation form (including the opinions and signatures), as well as related attachments should be submitted on or before January 27, 2026 to RTAO.

Thank you for your kind attention. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.