FCT is the Portuguese national public agency that supports science, technology and innovation, in all scientific domains, under responsibility of the Ministry for Science, Technology and Higher Education.

FCT’s mission is to continuously promote the advancement of knowledge in science and technology in Portugal, attain the highest international standards in quality and competitiveness, in all scientific and technological domains, and encourage its dissemination and contribution to society and to economic growth.

FCT pursues its mission through the attribution, in competitive calls with peer review, of fellowships, studentships and research contracts for scientists, research projects, competitive research centres and state-of-the-art infrastructures. FCT ensures Portugal’s participation in international scientific organisations, fosters the participation of the scientific community in international projects and promotes knowledge transfer between R&D centres and industry. Working closely with international organisations, FCT coordinates public policy for the Information and Knowledge Society in Portugal and ensures the development of national scientific computing resources.

FCT developed a set of medium to long term (2030) thematic research and innovation agendas, including an Ocean Agenda based on four dimensions: Integrated knowledge of the ocean; Marine resources; Global change and natural and anthropogenic hazards and, Ocean and Society. The Ocean R&I Agenda and other marine science and technology topics are coordinated by FCT's Ocean Programme since 2015.