Ci2 selected for FCT multiannual funding for R&D units (2025–2029)

The Smart Cities Research Center (Ci2) of the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar has successfully secured funding in the national evaluation of Research and Development Units carried out by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The final results of the evaluation process were published on July 21, 2025. The Ci2 research unit was evaluated by the international panel in the area of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering and received the classification of "Good" ("Bom"), ensuring continued funding under the FCT Multiannual Funding Programme for R&D Units for the period 2025–2029. As part of this programme, the Ci2 will receive approximately €465,000 in multiannual funding to support its research activities, infrastructure, and strategic development. The funding will contribute to strengthening the center’s work on Smart Cities, Intelligent and Pervasive Environments, and Sustainable Resource Management, while supporting research projects, collaboration with national and international partners, and the training of students and early-career researchers. The FCT evaluation assesses the scientific output and impact of research units in the previous cycle (2018–2023) and the strategic plan proposed for the following five years. The process is conducted by international expert panels and determines the allocation of national research funding to Portuguese research centers. This result confirms the relevance of the Ci2 research agenda and the continued development of applied research and innovation at the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar.