The Polytechnic of Coimbra, through its organic unit INOPOL Entrepreneurship Academy, promotes the INOVC+ Ignition Projects and Proofs of Concept Competition, which aims to encourage PUC professors and researchers who have developed R&D+I projects with promising results and innovation potential – but which require additional validation – to explore their commercial potential, through the development of pilot projects, test solutions, product/service prototyping and/or proofs of concept.
Recipients
All teachers and researchers who carry out research activities at the Polytechnic of Coimbra are eligible to apply for this Competition, individually or in partnership.
Project eligibility
The PUC will provide financial support to projects that:
– aim to develop tests or prototype products or services resulting from scientific research, with a view to commercially enhancing research results;
– propose innovative solutions;
– promote scientific dissemination, participation and public engagement;
– have already demonstrated successful results in terms of R&D, but need further validation;
– have progressed beyond the stage at which R&D funding opportunities are typically available, and capital from industry or an investor is unlikely to be secured at that stage.
On the other hand, projects will not be eligible for support if they:
– do not clearly and unequivocally demonstrate their commercial applicability;
– are limited to existing or traditional approaches that do not demonstrate a clear competitive advantage at a global level;
– propose to develop basic research, generate models, new projects or evaluate the viability of an R&D project;
– have prior financing from any other source of financing.
The projects to be developed must be carried out at facilities and with resources belonging to PUC, within the following deadlines:
Phase 1 – by 30 June 2026
Phase 2 – by 31 December 2026
Financial support
The maximum amount of support to be made available by the Polytechnic of Coimbra is 5.000,00€ by project.
The maximum number of projects to be supported is limited to the budget available.
Application
Interested parties must submit the application form duly completed and the curriculum vitae of all promoters, to the email inopol.pi@ipc.pt, within the following deadlines:
Phase 1 – by 15 June 2025
Phase 2 – by 23 November 2026
Check the REGULATION of the competition.
Results of the INOVC+ Ignition and Proof of Concept Project Competition (3rd edition – Phase 1)