Portugal Creates AI²: What It Means for IFICI Applications

Decree-Law No. 132/2025, of 24 December

Diário da República, 1st Series, No. 247, of 24 December 2025

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

On 24 December 2025, the Government published Decree-Law No. 132/2025, creating the Agency for Research and Innovation, E.P.E. (AI², E.P.E.). It merges the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (FCT, I.P.) — one of the entities that reviews IFICI registration requests for teaching and scientific research activities — into a new public business entity, alongside transforming the National Innovation Agency, S.A. (ANI, S.A.).

1. What it states:

Article 1 sets out the decree's subject matter directly: "This decree-law creates the new Agency for Research and Innovation, E.P.E. (AI², E.P.E.), through the transformation of the National Innovation Agency, S.A. (ANI, S.A.), into a public business entity, and approves its legal regime, and merges into it, dispensing with all legal formalities, the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (FCT, I.P.), with the integration of its powers and the reassignment of its employees to AI², E.P.E."

2. Why it matters for IFICI: 

FCT is the entity that handles IFICI registration for researchers, higher-education teachers, and scientific employment. 

Under Article 3, AI², E.P.E. succeeds FCT in full — retaining its rights, obligations, and legal position — so applicants in these categories should expect AI², E.P.E. to take over that role going forward.

3. Does it change how IFICI works? 

No. This decree-law doesn't touch Article 58-A of the EBF or Ordinance No. 352/2024/1 — the eligibility criteria, tax rate, and registration deadlines all stay the same. 

The only practical change is which entity sits behind the process: where FCT used to assess registration requests for research and teaching activities, that role now passes to AI², E.P.E.

Read the full AI², E.P.E’s Decree-Law:

Summary: Creates the Agency for Research and Innovation, E.P.E., through the transformation of the National Innovation Agency, S.A., and the merger of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., and approves its legal regime.

The XXV Constitutional Government affirms freedom of research as a value in itself and as a condition for both the generation of original knowledge and the promotion of innovation, recognising in these the potential to improve society and transform the economy.

At a time when science, research and innovation play an increasingly decisive role in responding to today's major challenges and opportunities — namely, demographic ageing, climate change, the digital and energy transitions, and technological and geopolitical shifts with implications for security and competitiveness — it has become imperative to equip the country with a new entity that promotes investment in fundamental research and a more effective connection between research and innovation, with greater social, cultural, environmental and economic impact and, consequently, an improvement in citizens' living conditions.

In recent decades, Portugal has made significant progress in its scientific and technological system, including the generation of scientific knowledge through research activities. However, as various international indicators show, the valorisation of scientific knowledge, the connection of entities in the scientific system to the social and economic fabric, and their overall impact remain below their potential. In the 2025 edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard, Portugal remained a moderate innovator, having increased its distance from the European Union (EU) average relative to 2018.

The XXV Constitutional Government is committed to achieving, by 2030, the goal of three percent of gross domestic product invested, both publicly and privately, in research and innovation (R&I). However, for that R&I investment to have the expected impact, a new funding paradigm is needed, within a framework of stability and predictability underpinned by medium- and long-term planning for R&I activities and the definition of the strategic priorities of the regions and the country. It is also necessary to review the powers and clarify the role of the entities, structures and networks of the National Science, Technology and Innovation System (SNCTI), currently provided for in Decree-Law No. 63/2019, of 16 May.

Strengthening investment in excellent research is expected to contribute, in the short, medium and long term, to increasing knowledge and addressing the challenges facing Portugal and the EU. It is urgent to overcome the existing gap in innovation levels relative to more advanced economies, since this is a necessary condition for accelerating the transition of the Portuguese economy towards more competitive production models, with a greater capacity to generate impact and value, and based on productivity levels that allow the labour-market integration of highly qualified young people trained by the national education system. The increasing weight of medium- and high-technology sectors — which, in 2024, accounted for 23% of employment (38% on the EU average), and which are associated with higher wages — is a condition for attracting and retaining qualified workers. The creation of new technology companies, originating from or linked to the scientific system, is the foundation for transforming the Portuguese economy and for strengthening the weight of medium- and high-technology sectors. It is therefore necessary to energise the R&I ecosystem, promoting more effective and agile connections that result in the creation of a greater number of technology-based startups, the commercialisation of more patents, the hiring of more PhD holders by companies, and an increase in R&I investment.

The transformative potential of scientific, innovation and technological knowledge in creating social and economic value has been limited by the fragmentation of the entities that make up the SNCTI and of the funding institutions. As demonstrated by the opinion of the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CNCTI), requested by the XXIV Constitutional Government and published in August 2025, this fragmentation results in excessive functional dispersion, duplication of powers, lack of coordination between programmes, and operational inefficiencies that compromise the ability to mobilise resources strategically and to ensure the effective valorisation of the knowledge produced. It is therefore essential that the various national and European R&I funding mechanisms be predictable, multiannual, organised, and made available in a complementary and sequential manner, so as to form a robust basis for developing the entire value chain, from research to innovation.

Furthermore, the current institutional architecture, based on the coexistence of funding and management entities with overlapping mandates — namely, the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (FCT, I.P.), and the National Innovation Agency, S.A. (ANI, S.A.) — has not fostered the building of continuous pathways linking scientific production to its social and economic valorisation, and has favoured procedural management and financial execution over a focus on users and impact. It is also necessary to reduce bureaucracy, simplify processes, improve communication with researchers and companies, and strengthen transparency.

Thus, the urgency of promoting scientific excellence — driven by researchers' curiosity or by national strategic priorities — together with a closer relationship between research and innovation, involving technological development and the transfer and valorisation of knowledge, so that investment in science has greater impact, requires a comprehensive reform of the higher education, scientific and innovation system. The XXV Constitutional Government, continuing the work begun under the XXIV Constitutional Government, has launched a reform plan involving the institutional framework of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), with the revision of the HEI Legal Regime, the revision of the Scientific Research Career Statute, and the revision of the decree-law on Degrees and Diplomas and of the Science Law, these reforms being associated with a significant increase in investment in research and innovation.

In this context, the new Agency for Research and Innovation, E.P.E. (AI², E.P.E.), resulting from the integration of FCT, I.P.'s powers and the transformation of ANI, S.A., benefits from the expertise accumulated by FCT, I.P., in the management of science and research, and from the consolidated experience of ANI, S.A., in the management of innovation instruments and in liaison with the business community.

The new AI², E.P.E., has a clear and broad mandate, defined in a mission charter and set out in a multiannual programme contract involving the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, and the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, and acts as the main operator of public policy on science, research, technology and innovation. In fulfilling its mandate and the objectives set out in the mission charter and the programme contract, AI², E.P.E., enjoys autonomy in managing the instruments available to it, within a demanding framework of continuous monitoring, evaluation against predefined objective metrics, and accountability for results achieved. It promotes a systemic and integrated approach, with gains in organisational efficiency. With a multiannual budget, within the strategic plan underpinning the mission charter and the programme contract to be entered into with the State, AI², E.P.E., ensures institutional stability and continuity for both established and new programmes, fostering confidence among the system's stakeholders.

The new AI², E.P.E., implements the simplification of procedures and the standardisation of rules, sets calendars for the funding programme cycle, and creates single points of contact that will make interaction with the system more effective, transparent and geared to the needs of researchers, companies and all SNCTI entities, structures and networks. Its organisation into research and development areas, strategic domains and an innovation-promotion unit provides more specialised and tailored support to users' needs, while also allowing better coordination between the different types of funding instruments and a stronger link between the knowledge produced in science and its impact on society.

In line with the organic reform of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, the allocation of the current powers of the Foundation for National Scientific Computing Unit (FCCN) — FCT, I.P.'s digital services — is clarified, recognising its strategic and well-established role in providing technological support to the scientific and educational community. FCCN's capabilities geared towards supporting the scientific and higher-education communities, and towards developing digital infrastructure for education, research and innovation, namely in advanced computing and other technological domains, are integrated into AI², E.P.E., reinforcing and expanding its mission in this area. To strengthen its positioning, AI², E.P.E., also has a collaborative platform bringing together scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, SNCTI entities and companies, accelerating the translation of scientific results into applied solutions and mobilising private investment in science- and technology-based projects.

The involvement of other government areas in the strategic domains to be established in the programme contract will make it possible to benefit from the knowledge generated by the scientific system across the various research and development areas, generating greater social and economic impact.

In the field of international relations, the powers currently exercised by FCT, I.P., have been integrated into the Directorate-General for Studies, Planning and Evaluation (DGEPA), under Decree-Law No. 101/2025, of 8 September, strengthening the coherence of the external action of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, promoting synergies in the international coordination of science policy, and reinforcing the coordination of international cooperation. It should be noted, however, that in matters of international and European affairs relating to R&I, AI², E.P.E., acts as the interlocutor and implements operational mechanisms that coordinate priorities, ensuring the necessary coherence, complementarity and synergies with equivalent national instruments. AI², E.P.E., is also responsible for managing International Partnerships and promoting opportunities under the European Union Framework Programme for R&I, implementing bilateral and multilateral cooperation instruments that result in calls for transnational R&I projects, and instruments supporting the mobility of students and researchers. AI², E.P.E., also ensures national participation in, and monitoring of, governmental structures, where applicable, and the financial management of the International Organisations and Research and Technology Infrastructures of which Portugal is a member, as well as the management of Partnerships with the American universities UT Austin, Carnegie Mellon and MIT, which have prioritised the social and economic impact of collaborative R&I projects and other activities, namely in the area of entrepreneurship, in alignment with regional and national strategic priorities.

AI², E.P.E., is thus able to integrate and coordinate the entire value chain, safeguarding both funding directed at fundamental research, based on excellence, and applied research and innovation, promoting the valorisation of knowledge and technological development. The industrial application and commercialisation of market solutions (goods and services) and new procedures that create value differentiate companies' activities and, in this way, contribute — in coordination with regional, national and European objectives and commitments — to research, development and innovation and to economic growth.

In this context, similarly to models existing in other countries and in line with the building of the European research and innovation area — as well as the guidance of the Letta, Draghi and Heitor reports — AI², E.P.E., strengthens Portugal's capacity to establish itself as a more competitive and relevant partner in the main European agendas.

The Lisbon Academy of Sciences, the Portuguese Alliance of Technology and Innovation Centres, the National Association of Researchers in Science and Technology, the Portuguese Association of Private Higher Education, the Portuguese Association of Science and Technology Parks, the Coordinating Council of Polytechnic Higher Education Institutes, the Council of Associate Laboratories, the National Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities, the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Forum of Collaborative Laboratories, the Working Group on the Revision of the Science Law, the Portuguese Association of Researchers and Students in the United Kingdom, the National Roadmap of Research Infrastructures of Strategic Interest, Startup Portugal — Portuguese Association for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship, and the Scientific Councils of FCT, I.P., were consulted.

The Business Association for Innovation and the Portuguese American Postgraduate Society were also consulted.

Thus:

Under subparagraph a) of paragraph 1 of Article 198 of the Constitution, the Government decrees the following:

CHAPTER I - General provisions

Article 1

Subject matter

1 — This decree-law creates the new Agency for Research and Innovation, E.P.E. (AI², E.P.E.), through the transformation of the National Innovation Agency, S.A. (ANI, S.A.), into a public business entity, and approves its legal regime, and merges into it, dispensing with all legal formalities, the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (FCT, I.P.), with the integration of its powers and the reassignment of its employees to AI², E.P.E.

2 — The Statutes of AI², E.P.E., are also approved, published in an annex to this decree-law, of which they form an integral part.

Article 2

Succession

1 — AI², E.P.E., succeeds FCT, I.P., and ANI, S.A., retaining the entirety of the legal and contractual rights and obligations that form part of its legal sphere at the time of the merger and transformation, under the terms provided for in this instrument.

2 — Staff performing duties at FCT, I.P., and at ANI, S.A., retain their respective legal status at AI², E.P.E., under the terms provided for in this instrument.

3 — The provisions of the preceding paragraphs are without prejudice to the legal succession arising under the following instruments:

• a) Decree-Law No. 99/2025, of 28 August, which creates the Agency for the Management of the Education System, I.P. (AGSE, I.P.), as regards the succession of powers and competences entrusted to the Foundation for National Scientific Computing (FCCN) unit, digital services, in the education component;
• b) Decree-Law No. 101/2025, of 8 September, which creates the Directorate-General for Studies, Planning and Evaluation (DGEPA), as regards the succession of powers and competences relating to international relations, without prejudice to the provisions of the following paragraph.

4 — AI², E.P.E., succeeds FCT, I.P., in operationalising mechanisms relating to international and European Union affairs connected with R&I, namely through the operationalisation of centralised management support mechanisms, the safeguarding of the instruments under its management, and representation at the level of the national contact points of the R&I Framework Programme.

Article 4

Registrations

This decree-law constitutes, for all legal purposes, including registration, sufficient title for the transfer of the rights, obligations and other legal positions provided for herein, which are exempt from payment of any fees or charges.

Article 5

Legal nature

This decree-law constitutes, for all legal purposes, including registration, sufficient title for the transfer of the rights, obligations and other legal positions provided for herein, which are exempt from payment of any fees or charges.

Article 6

Applicable regime

1 — AI², E.P.E., is governed by the provisions of this decree-law and of its Statutes, by its internal regulations, by the legal regime of the state business sector (RJSPE), set out in Decree-Law No. 133/2013, of 3 October, as amended by Laws No. 75-A/2014, of 30 September, and No. 42/2016, of 28 December, and by Decree-Law No. 56/2025, of 31 March, as well as by the other legal rules specifically applicable to it.

2 — Without prejudice to the preceding paragraph, AI², E.P.E.'s activity relating to fundamental research, doctoral education, scientific careers, and scientific and technological institutions and infrastructure is subject to Administrative Law, which entails, namely, the application of the Administrative Procedure Code, the Public Procurement Code, and the Regime of Non-Contractual Civil Liability of the State and Other Public Entities.

3 — The provisions of the preceding paragraph are without prejudice to AI², E.P.E.'s activity generally being subject to Administrative Law where, under paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Administrative Procedure Code, that entity exercises powers of authority or applies legal regimes specifically governed by Administrative Law.

Article 7

Internal regulations

1 — AI², E.P.E.'s internal regulations are drawn up by the Board of Directors and submitted for approval to the Government members responsible for the areas of finance, economy, and science and innovation, within 180 days of the date on which this decree-law takes effect.

2 — AI², E.P.E.'s internal organisation, including the definition, powers and functioning of its organisational units, is set out in the internal regulations, taking into account the provisions of the Statutes annexed to this decree-law.

Article 8

Oversight

AI², E.P.E., is subject to the oversight of the Government members responsible for the areas of finance and economy, and science and innovation, exercised jointly and individually, under the terms of its Statutes and the RJSPE.

Article 9

Staff

1 — The legal regime governing AI², E.P.E.'s employees is that of the employment contract governed by the Labour Code, with the particularities provided for in this decree-law.

2 — Matters relating to collective bargaining involving AI², E.P.E., are governed by the Labour Code.

3 — AI², E.P.E., has a structure that permanently ensures the development and upskilling of its staff through the continuous training of its employees.

Article 10

Regulatory power

AI, E.P.E., has regulatory power, being responsible for approving the administrative regulations with external effect necessary for pursuing and operationalising its mission, namely its funding programmes.

CHAPTER II - Integration, by merger, of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P.

Article 11

General provision

1 — FCT, I.P., is integrated by merger, its powers being incorporated into AI, E.P.E., under the terms of this decree-law, without prejudice to the succession that has taken place in favour of AGSE, I.P., and DGEPA, under the terms of their own instruments, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 3.

2 — The merger process of FCT, I.P., comprises all operations and decisions necessary for the transfer of its powers and competences, the reassignment of its employees, and the allocation of its other resources.

3 — The merger process of FCT, I.P., is carried out under the responsibility of its senior officer, in coordination with the holders of equivalent positions at ANI, S.A., AGSE, I.P., and DGEPA.

4 — Without prejudice to the provisions of this decree-law, the provisions of Decree-Law No. 200/2006, of 25 October, and of the regime for the professional development of employees with a public employment relationship, approved as an annex to Law No. 25/2017, of 30 May, apply, with the necessary adaptations, to the merger process of FCT, I.P., and to the employee-reassignment procedure.

Article 12

Movable and immovable property

The movable property, including vehicles, and immovable property of FCT, I.P., including its contractual positions under lease and rental agreements, are transferred to AI, E.P.E., to which the provisions of Decree-Law No. 200/2006, of 25 October, apply, under the terms of Article 3.

Article 13

Employee-reassignment procedure

1 — The reassignment procedure consists of the integration into AI², E.P.E., under the terms provided for in this chapter, of FCT, I.P.'s employees, or of those performing duties there, whether on a transitional or indefinite basis.

2 — Employees on FCT, I.P.'s staff roster with a public-service employment contract, under the General Law on Public Service Employment, approved as an annex to Law No. 35/2014, of 20 June, as currently worded, or with an individual employment contract under the Labour Code, approved as an annex to Law No. 7/2009, of 12 February, as currently worded, are integrated into AI², E.P.E., with the legal regime applicable at the date of integration being maintained and acquired rights safeguarded.

3 — AI², E.P.E., exceptionally has a transitional staff roster with positions, to be phased out as they become vacant, intended for FCT, I.P.'s employees with a public-service employment contract who are reassigned to it.

4 — The Board of Directors of AI², E.P.E., is responsible for exercising, in relation to staff assigned to the transitional staff roster, all the powers entrusted to the senior officer of the service, under Law No. 35/2014, of 20 June, as currently worded, and other applicable legislation.

5 — FCT, I.P.'s employees referred to in paragraph 3 may opt, at any time, to enter into an individual employment contract, under the labour regime applicable to employees of public companies, with their remuneration situation safeguarded.

6 — The option for the legal regime referred to in the preceding paragraph is made by written agreement between AI², E.P.E., and each employee, which entails, for all legal purposes, termination of the public-service employment contract and the abolition of the corresponding position on the transitional staff roster referred to in paragraph 3.

7 — The terms and conditions of the individual employment contract to be entered into are those in force at AI², E.P.E., in compliance with the applicable legislation and collective bargaining instruments in force.

8 — Termination of the public-service employment relationship, for employees who opt to enter into an individual employment contract, takes effect upon its publication in the 2nd series of the Official Gazette.

9 — With regard to employees who have not opted for the individual-employment-contract regime and who retain the convergent social-protection regime, AI², E.P.E., ensures payment of employer contributions to Caixa Geral de Aposentações, I.P., and to the Directorate-General for Social Protection of Public-Service Employees, where applicable.

10 — Employees who, under paragraph 5, opt to enter into an individual employment contract become covered by the general social security regime.

11 — The personnel files of integrated employees are transferred to AI², E.P.E.

12 — Procedures relating to staff with a public-service employment contract are governed, in anything not expressly provided for in this decree-law, by Law No. 35/2014, of 20 June, as currently worded, and by Articles 88 to 115 of Law No. 12-A/2008, of 27 February, as currently worded, and by Law No. 66-B/2007, of 28 December.

13 — Procedures relating to staff with an individual employment contract are governed, in anything not expressly provided for in this decree-law, by the Labour Code, approved as an annex to Law No. 7/2009, of 12 February, as currently worded.

14 — The employee-reassignment procedure at AI², E.P.E., does not affect employees' legal employment status, and all rights and duties arising from employment contracts in force remain unchanged.

Article 14

Staff-selection criterion

1 — Performance of duties at FCT, I.P., is set as the general and abstract criterion for selecting the staff needed to pursue the powers and competences transferred to AI², E.P.E.

2 — The provisions of the preceding paragraph are without prejudice to the transition of staff under Decree-Law No. 99/2025, of 28 August, and Decree-Law No. 101/2025, of 8 September.

Article 15

Drawing up of the nominal list

1 — Following application of the staff-selection criterion established in the preceding article, a nominal list is drawn up, submitted by the chairman of the Executive Board of FCT, I.P., and by the chairman of the Board of Directors of ANI, S.A., in coordination with the senior officers of AGSE, I.P., and DGEPA, for approval by order of the Government members responsible for the areas of finance, economy, and science and innovation.

2 — Without prejudice to Article 4 of Law No. 35/2014, of 20 June, as currently worded, the nominal list referred to in the preceding paragraph is notified to each employee and made public within a maximum of 40 days from the date on which this decree-law enters into force, with Article 109 of Law No. 12-A/2008, of 27 February, as currently worded, applying with the necessary adaptations.

Article 16

Fixed-term appointments of management staff

1 — The fixed-term appointments of the holders of management positions at FCT, I.P., and at ANI, S.A., including those held on an acting basis, automatically end on the date on which this decree-law takes effect.

2 — Without prejudice to the preceding paragraph, holders of management positions remain in office until the date determined by order of those responsible for conducting the merger process of FCT, I.P., and the transformation of ANI, S.A.

Article 17

Other provisions concerning employees

1 — During the merger process, mobility takes place under the general terms, with authorisation being the responsibility of FCT, I.P.'s highest governing body until the creation of AI², E.P.E., from which date this competence rests with its Board of Directors.

2 — Without prejudice to the preceding paragraph, where an FCT, I.P., employee's mobility situation remains in place at the date of the order declaring the merger process concluded, paragraph 3 of Article 7 of Law No. 25/2017, of 30 May, applies with the necessary adaptations, the employee being integrated into the body or service in which they perform duties, in the category, position and remuneration level held at origin, in a vacant position or one to be provided for in the staff roster.

3 — FCT, I.P., employees who are on a fixed-term appointment to a management position, performing duties in a Government member's office, or seconded in the public interest to other entities or services, are integrated into AI², E.P.E., without prejudice to continuing to perform their transitional duties until their term ends.

4 — Articles 13 et seq. apply to employees on mobility or seconded in the public interest at FCT, I.P., at the start of the merger process, without this entailing any change to the mobility situation or public-interest secondment under which the employees are transitionally performing duties.

5 — FCT, I.P., employees performing duties at another entity or service during a probationary period or fixed-term appointment, who do not successfully complete that period or whose fixed-term appointment ends, are integrated into AI², E.P.E.

6 — For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, employees are assigned, in the category, position and remuneration level held at the date on which this decree-law takes effect, to a vacant position or one to be provided for in the staff roster.

Article 18

Pending competitive selection procedures

1 — Competitive selection procedures pending at the date of the start of FCT, I.P.'s merger process remain in place.

2 — For all due legal purposes, competitive selection procedures in progress are transferred to AI², E.P.E., or to one of the entities referred to in paragraph 3 of Article 3, which assumes the legal position of public employer, depending on which is applicable in view of the succession of powers that has taken place.

3 — The provisions of the preceding paragraphs apply, with the necessary adaptations, to probationary periods under way at the date of the start of FCT, I.P.'s merger process.

CHAPTER III - Supplementary and final provisions

Article 19

Legal references

References contained in legal and regulatory instruments, acts, contracts and other normative instruments:

• a) To the “Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P.” are deemed to refer to AI², E.P.E., AGSE, I.P., or DGEPA, according to which of them has succeeded to the respective powers and competences, under the applicable legal terms;
• b) To ANI, S.A., are deemed to refer to AI², E.P.E.

Article 20

Multiannual programme contract

The multiannual programme contract relating to the first five-year period, referred to in Article 3 of the annex to this decree-law, of which it forms an integral part, must be entered into within one year of 1 January 2026.

Article 21

Transitional rule

1 — Pending competitive selection procedures opened by FCT, I.P., under paragraph 5 of Article 6 of Decree-Law No. 57/2016, of 29 August, and the transitional regime set out in Annex III to Law No. 55/2025, of 28 April, remain in place, and employees, in the event of a favourable outcome, are integrated into the scientific research career, transferring to AI², E.P.E., regardless of any previous reassignment to a different integrating entity.

2 — Until the programme contract provided for in Article 20 is entered into, the allocation to AI², E.P.E., of financial resources originating from State Budget appropriations provided for in FCT, I.P.'s 2026 budget is made through the entity coordinating the “Higher Education, Science and Innovation” Budget Programme, by means of transfers from it to AI², E.P.E., in quarterly instalments, each paid in the first month of the quarter to which it relates.

Article 22

Repealing provision

Without prejudice to the following article, the following are repealed:

• a) Decree-Law No. 55/2013, of 17 April;
• b) Council of Ministers Resolution No. 53/2025, of 17 March.

Article 23

Entry into force and effects

1 — This decree-law enters into force on the day following its publication, and takes effect on 1 January 2026.

2 — Excepted from the preceding paragraph are Article 11, paragraphs 2 to 4 of Article 14, Article 15, and paragraph 1 of Article 17, which take effect on the date this decree-law enters into force.

Annex

(referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 1)

Statutes of the Agency for Research and Innovation, E.P.E.

CHAPTER I - Nature and purpose

Article 1

Nature, registered office and duration

1 — The Agency for Research and Innovation, E.P.E. (AI², E.P.E.), is a public business entity, a Group B company, with legal personality, endowed with administrative and financial autonomy and its own assets.

2 — AI², E.P.E., has its registered office in Lisbon and is established for an indefinite period.

Article 2

Mission

1 — AI², E.P.E.'s main mission is to develop actions aimed at promoting, funding and evaluating science, research, the valorisation of knowledge, technological development and innovation, in all their dimensions, including science- and technology-based entrepreneurship in Portugal.

2 — In pursuing its mission, AI², E.P.E., must stimulate the promotion, development and evaluation of actions and activities relating to fundamental research, applied research, the valorisation of knowledge, and technological development and innovation, in accordance with the multiannual programme contract and the mission charter.

3 — The preceding paragraph is given effect through support for researchers, entrepreneurs, entities of the National Science, Technology and Innovation System (SNCTI), and companies, with AI², E.P.E., pursuing the following main purposes:

• a) Promoting fundamental research, as a contribution to science and to the generation of knowledge or to addressing strategic challenges;
• b) Promoting and supporting programmes and projects in all fields of knowledge, scientific research and technological development;
• c) Promoting and supporting research, development and innovation in strategic domains;
• d) Funding or co-funding, with national funds, the programmes, projects and training and qualification activities provided for in the multiannual programme contract, and monitoring their implementation;
• e) Ensuring the management and promotion of programmatic measures, as well as support and funding systems, backed by national and European Union funds, coordinating initiatives of an international, national, regional and local nature;
• f) Supporting the attraction and retention of national and international talent through support for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers and scientific employment, also incorporating the valorisation of scientific and science-management careers through the creation and maintenance of quality, stable employment;
• g) Entering into programme contracts or agreements and awarding grants to institutions that promote or engage in scientific research or technological development;
• h) Ensuring the inventory-taking, management, modernisation and preservation of infrastructure supporting scientific research and technological development activities, namely the Science, Technology and Society Network and high-performance distributed computing resources, ensuring their evolution as integrated networks supporting research and higher education with the necessary services and appropriate national and international connectivity;
• i) Ensuring the inventory-taking, management and preservation of national scientific and technological heritage, as well as of the bibliographic and documentary holdings in its custody, and promoting the collection and preservation of content available on the national Internet, ensuring it is made available to SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks and to the general public;
• j) Promoting the participation of SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks, or acting as a partner, in relevant national or international projects, namely in the creation, absorption and dissemination of knowledge and technology, in access to highly sophisticated scientific equipment or in the fields of scientific computing, including programmes, partnerships and international scientific cooperation activities;
• k) Making scientific and technological literature and scientific repositories available to SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks and to the general public, ensuring the corresponding international coordination, as well as promoting open access to publications and open data and ensuring the management and operation of the electronic support services made available for repositories;
• l) Installing, maintaining and managing advanced computing resources available over networks and promoting their accessibility to the various SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks, regardless of their public or private nature, also integrating the development, operation and maintenance of information systems supporting R&I management and funding;
• m) Monitoring and tracking national R&I activities, such as public policies, programmes and initiatives, as well as evaluating their impact on the socioeconomic fabric;
• n) Producing information and recommendations for the definition and implementation of public policies, namely in the field of R&I;
• o) Promoting an environment within the SNCTI community and society at large that is favourable to qualified, technology-based entrepreneurship, as well as to a culture of merit and risk-taking;
• p) Promoting the valorisation of knowledge and its transfer to society through greater and better coordination between SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks, companies, and social, political, economic and cultural institutions, and through building the capacity of the various stakeholders;
• q) Driving increased business investment in R&I, in partnership with SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks, developing actions to support the valorisation and transfer of research and development results and prioritising improved access of goods and services to the global market;
• r) Increasing and improving internationally competitive scientific and technological output, as well as the participation of SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks and of companies in international R&I networks;
• s) Promoting a culture of dissemination, communication and valorisation of scientific and technical knowledge nationally and internationally, namely through support for initiatives to disseminate scientific and technological culture, citizen science and open science, including the dissemination of results and of the socioeconomic impact of research and innovation;
• t) Ensuring, in the context of scientific and technological interest, the procedures relating to the recognition of highly qualified activity by public and private entities, under the applicable legislation;
• u) Ensuring the provision of support services for distance learning, namely technical publishing infrastructure and course-support services for large audiences.

Article 3

Multiannual programme contract and mission charter

1 — To pursue its mission, AI², E.P.E., enters into a multiannual programme contract with the government areas of finance, economy, and science and innovation, and is governed by the mission charter established by the Government members responsible for the areas of economy, and science and innovation.

2 — AI², E.P.E., enjoys autonomy in fulfilling the mandate set out in the multiannual programme contract, the mission charter and its Statutes.

3 — The multiannual programme contract must set out:

• a) The research and development areas, the strategic domains and the innovation-promotion unit, as well as the targets defined for each;
• b) AI², E.P.E.'s budget and its budgetary distribution among the research and development areas, the strategic domains and the innovation-promotion unit;
• c) The mechanisms and frequency of accountability for the achievement of the objectives set out therein;
• d) AI², E.P.E.'s performance indicators and the metrics to be considered in evaluating compliance with the programme contract during the relevant period.

4 — The multiannual programme contract has a duration of five years.

5 — Each multiannual programme contract must be entered into at least six months before the period to which the next multiannual programme contract relates.

6 — The mission charter must contain references to subparagraphs a) and c) of paragraph 3.

7 — AI², E.P.E., has the autonomy to enter into contracts and agreements with public entities with powers in other government areas, with a view to pursuing activities of public interest, as well as with other public and private entities in order to fulfil the mission charter.

Article 4

Research and development areas, strategic domains and innovation-promotion unit

1 — AI², E.P.E., is organised into:

• a) Research and development areas, classified in accordance with the international FORD classification;
• b) Strategic domains;
• c) An innovation-promotion unit.

2 — Each research and development area constitutes an organisational unit, headed by a responsible director, and has a stable budgetary allocation intended to fund fundamental research, doctoral education, scientific careers, and scientific and technological institutions and infrastructure.

3 — Responsibilities relating to strategic domains are discharged by organisational units, each headed by a responsible director, with base funding guaranteed by revenue from the appropriations allocated to them under the State Budget, and must cover applied research, technological development, business innovation, technology-demonstration projects, and disruptive research and innovation.

4 — Strategic domains are cross-cutting and broad in nature, and may also incorporate specific strategic subdomains or missions covering scientific, technological, economic or social challenges, with their own action plans and subject to periodic evaluation, ensuring their interdisciplinary relevance.

5 — The innovation-promotion unit, referred to in subparagraph c) of paragraph 1, is an organisational unit dedicated to promoting innovation and funding creative innovation projects that do not fall within the strategic domains.

6 — The organisational unit referred to in the preceding paragraph funds, in coordination with national and European innovation-support instruments and with the framework of regional and national smart specialisation strategies, science- and technology-based initiatives with strong innovative potential, on a competitive basis, including collaborative projects between SNCTI entities and companies.

7 — The research and development areas, the strategic domains and the innovation-promotion unit may develop interdisciplinary initiatives and projects, both among units of the same category and between them, ensuring scientific coordination and thematic complementarity.

8 — The submission of the proposal defining, and the budgetary allocation of, the strategic domains, as well as the budgetary allocation of the research and development areas and of innovation promotion, is coordinated by the Centre for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies (PLANAPP), in coordination with the Directorate-General for Economic Activities (DGE) and the DGEPA of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, preceded by a public consultation of SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks, and after consulting the Board of Directors of AI², E.P.E., and the CNCTI.

9 — Strategic domains are determined taking into account:

• a) National and regional science, technology and innovation priorities, as reflected in strategic planning documents approved by the Government, namely the Smart Specialisation Strategies;
• b) European strategic priorities and domains, namely the Multiannual Financial Frameworks for research and competitiveness, the European Union legislative act on the European Research Area to affirm the fifth freedom, the Startup and Scale-up EU initiative, and Horizon Europe;
• c) Analysis of the scientific, technological and economic results and impacts of previous programmes;
• d) Analysis of scientific, technological and economic foresight exercises;
• e) Consultation of SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks, of the business sector, and of public administration, namely entities currently active in funding and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, including IAPMEI, I.P. — Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, I.P., Portugal Ventures, Startup Portugal, the Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal, E.P.E., the National Institute of Industrial Property, and the Portuguese Development Bank Group, and of civil society.

• a) Preliminary identification of opportunities, needs and trends by SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks, through consultation promoted by AI², E.P.E.;
• b) Assessment of national strategic planning, including review of regional, national and European priorities and consultation of the relevant government areas, with coordination between the areas of economy and of science and innovation;
• c) Consultation of SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks and preparation of allocation scenarios;
• d) Submission of the allocation proposal by PLANAPP, in coordination with the DGE and the DGEPA, after consulting the Strategic Advisory Council, the Scientific Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of AI², E.P.E., with percentages defined for each strategic domain;
• e) Approval by resolution of the Council of Ministers;
• f) Signature of the multiannual programme contract.

11 — The research and development areas, the strategic domains and the innovation-promotion unit may also receive funds from programmes supporting collaborative research projects in strategic domains and innovation projects targeting different levels of technological maturity, developed by SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks.

12 — Strategic domains may be reviewed and amended before the deadline provided for in the programme contract by resolution of the Council of Ministers, based on the procedure described in the preceding paragraphs.

CHAPTER II - Share capital and assets

Article 5

Share capital

1 — AI², E.P.E.'s share capital is €5,176,376.50, held entirely by the State and intended to meet the company's permanent needs.

2 — AI², E.P.E.'s share capital may be increased or reduced by order of the Government members responsible for the areas of finance, economy, and science and innovation.

Article 6

Assets

1 — AI², E.P.E.'s assets consist of the entirety of the property, rights and obligations of economic content that it owns and those it may acquire, under the legal terms.

2 — AI², E.P.E., must keep an up-to-date inventory of the public-domain and private-domain State assets it is responsible for managing, as well as of other assets allocated for its use.

CHAPTER III - Organisation

SECTION I

General provision

Article 7

Governing bodies

AI², E.P.E.'s governing bodies are:

• a) The Board of Directors;
• b) The sole auditor;
• c) The Strategic Advisory Council;
• d) The Scientific Advisory Council.

SECTION II

Board of Directors

Article 8

Composition

1 — The Board of Directors is composed of a chairman, two vice-chairmen, and two executive members, appointed by resolution of the Council of Ministers, on a proposal from the Government members responsible for the areas of finance, economy, and science and innovation.

2 — Each of the vice-chairmen is assigned responsibility for research and innovation, respectively, with the chairman of the Board of Directors responsible for assigning portfolios to the other directors, to be defined in the internal regulations.

Article 9

Term of office

1 — The term of office of members of the Board of Directors is five years and is renewable once only.

2 — Directors remain in office until new appointments are made, without prejudice to the dissolution of the body, or to dismissal or resignation.

3 — In the event of a vacancy, the director must be replaced, with the new member holding office until the end of the term for which the members in office were appointed.

Article 10

Status

1 — The Public Manager Statute, approved by Decree-Law No. 71/2007, of 27 March, as currently worded, applies to members of the Board of Directors.

2 — Members of the Board of Directors receive the remuneration set under Articles 28 and 29 of the Public Manager Statute.

Article 11

Powers

The Board of Directors is AI², E.P.E.'s governing body, responsible for exercising all powers necessary to pursue the activities falling within its purposes, as well as the other obligations set out in the multiannual programme contract and the mission charter.

Article 12

Powers of the chairman of the Board of Directors

The chairman of the Board of Directors is responsible, in particular, for:

• a) Coordinating the activity of the Board of Directors;
• b) Convening and chairing meetings of the Board of Directors;
• c) Ensuring the proper implementation of the Board of Directors' resolutions;
• d) Submitting for a ruling by the Government member responsible for the areas of finance or economy or science and innovation matters that require one;
• e) Representing AI², E.P.E., in and out of court, both nationally and internationally, where other representatives or agents have not been appointed;
• f) Ensuring relations with the oversight bodies and with other public bodies;
• g) Ensuring the proper functioning of all services;
• h) Exercising the powers delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors.

Article 13

Functioning

1 — The Board of Directors sets, under the law, the frequency of its ordinary meetings, at least fortnightly, and meets in extraordinary session whenever convened by the chairman or by two directors.

2 — The rules governing the functioning of the Board of Directors are set by the Board of Directors itself at its first meeting and are set out in AI², E.P.E.'s internal regulations.

3 — The Board of Directors may not conduct business without the presence of a majority of its members.

4 — Directors may be represented at a meeting by another director, by letter addressed to the chairman, but each proxy instrument may not be used more than once.

5 — Resolutions of the Board of Directors are adopted by a majority of the votes cast by the directors present or represented.

6 — The chairman of the Board of Directors has a casting vote.

7 — Where a director is absent without justification on two consecutive occasions, or four times at intervals within a one-year period, the Board of Directors may declare the absence final for all legal purposes.

Article 14

Minutes

1 — The minutes of the Board of Directors must record, briefly but clearly, all resolutions adopted at its meetings, as well as any dissenting votes.

2 — The minutes, recorded in dedicated books, are signed by all members who took part in the meeting.

3 — Participants in the meeting may dictate a summary of their remarks for the minutes.

Article 15

Delegation of powers

1 — The Board of Directors may delegate powers, with the power of sub-delegation, to the chairman, the vice-chairmen, or any of its members.

2 — Special portfolios corresponding to the management of one or more services or organisational units may be assigned to members of the Board of Directors.

Article 16

Binding signature

1 — AI², E.P.E., is bound:

• a) By the signature of two members of the Board of Directors, one of whom must be the chairman;
• b) By the signature of one member of the Board of Directors, within the scope of a delegation of powers;
• c) By the signature of agents, within the scope of the powers conferred on them.

2 — For routine administrative matters, the signature of one member of the Board of Directors suffices.

3 — For documents issued in bulk, signatures may be affixed by stamp.

SECTION III - Sole auditor

Article 17

Sole auditor

1 — The sole auditor is the body responsible for overseeing the legality, regularity and sound financial and asset management of AI², E.P.E.

2 — The sole auditor is appointed by joint order of the Government members responsible for the areas of finance, economy, and science and innovation, and must be chosen from among statutory auditors or statutory audit firms, for a period of three years, renewable only once.

3 — The sole auditor's remuneration is set in the order referred to in the preceding paragraph.

4 — The sole auditor always has an alternate, who must likewise be a statutory auditor or statutory audit firm.

5 — Upon the end of the term of office, the sole auditor remains in post until his or her successor takes office.

Article 18

Powers

1 — The sole auditor has the powers and duties established by law and in these Statutes.

2 — The sole auditor is responsible, in particular, for:

• a) Verifying the regularity of the books, accounting records and supporting documents;
• b) Issuing an opinion on the annual management report and certifying the management accounts;
• c) Regularly monitoring management through trial balances and budget-execution statements;
• d) Keeping the Board of Directors informed of the results of the checks and examinations it carries out;
• e) Proposing external audits, where necessary or advisable;
• f) Issuing an opinion on any other matter of economic and financial management submitted to it by the Board of Directors;
• g) Issuing an opinion on the acquisition, leasing, disposal and encumbrance of immovable property;
• h) Issuing an opinion on the making of investments and the taking out of loans;
• i) Preparing reports on its auditing activity, including an annual overall report;
• j) Issuing an opinion on matters submitted to it by the Board of Directors, the Court of Auditors, and the entities forming part of the strategic control system for internal control of State financial administration.

3 — The sole auditor carries out his or her mandate with independence, impartiality and fairness, and its members, agents or representatives, where they exist, must observe strict confidentiality regarding facts of which they become aware in the performance of their duties or because of them.

SECTION IV - Advisory councils

Article 19

Strategic Advisory Council

1 — The National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CNCTI), an advisory body to the Government on matters of science, technology and innovation, also functions as AI², E.P.E.'s strategic advisory and consultation body, in the economic, technical and scientific domains, as well as on other matters relevant to pursuing its purposes.

2 — The CNCTI advises AI², E.P.E.'s Board of Directors, issuing non-binding opinions, namely on the strategic domains, the activity plan, budget allocation, the annual activity report, the sole auditor's opinion on the accounts report, and any other matters submitted to it.

3 — In the course of its activities, the CNCTI may request the cooperation of other public or private, national or international entities, whenever the scope or specific nature of the matters under consideration so warrants.

Article 20

Scientific Advisory Council

1 — The Scientific Advisory Council functions as AI², E.P.E.'s specialised consultation and advisory body in the fields of scientific research, technological development, innovation and scientific evaluation, supporting the definition and implementation of the corresponding policies and programmes.

2 — The Scientific Advisory Council is composed of:

• a) The directors responsible for AI², E.P.E.'s research and development areas;
• b) The directors of the strategic domains defined by AI², E.P.E.;
• c) The director of the innovation-promotion unit;
• d) Five individuals of recognised scientific merit and international reputation, from leading science, technology and innovation institutions, appointed by resolution of the Council of Ministers.

3 — The Scientific Advisory Council is responsible for issuing non-binding opinions on matters of a scientific and technological nature, namely:

• a) Criteria, methodologies and processes for scientific evaluation;
• b) Guidance and priorities for R&I activities;
• c) The annual and multiannual plan of scientific activities;
• d) Analysis of scientific and technological results and impacts;
• e) Any other matters submitted to it by the Board of Directors.

4 — The Scientific Advisory Council meets ordinarily at least twice a year and in extraordinary session whenever convened by the Board of Directors or its chairman.

5 — In the course of its activities, the Scientific Advisory Council may request the cooperation of other public or private, national or international entities, whenever the scope or specific nature of the matters under consideration so warrants.

6 — The Scientific Advisory Council approves its own rules of procedure.

CHAPTER IV - Financial and asset management

Article 21

Funding

1 — AI², E.P.E., is funded under the terms of the multiannual programme contract.

2 — AI², E.P.E., has exclusive competence to collect revenue arising from its activity or otherwise made available to it, under these Statutes or the law, as well as to incur all expenses inherent in pursuing its purpose.

3 — AI², E.P.E.'s revenue consists, namely, of the following:

• a) Appropriations allocated to it under the State Budget;
• b) The proceeds of fees or revenue arising from the services or facilities it makes available, and other amounts of a pecuniary nature earmarked for it;
• c) The proceeds from the sale of its publications and other goods and services;
• d) The proceeds from carrying out studies, surveys and other work or services provided, within the scope of its powers;
• e) Amounts charged for attendance at courses, seminars or other training activities carried out by AI², E.P.E.;
• f) Contributions, grants or donations awarded by any public- or private-law entities, whether national, foreign or international;
• g) Contributions from user entities associated with the Online Knowledge Library (b-on);
• h) Contributions from user entities associated with the Science, Technology and Society Network;
• i) Any other revenue allocated to it by law, contract or other title.

Article 22

Budget programming and allocation

1 — AI², E.P.E., implements the actions necessary to fulfil the mission charter, in accordance with the funding programming set out in the multiannual programme contract, and must ensure complementarity and coherence between research- and innovation-support instruments.

2 — The budget allocation referred to in the preceding paragraph is governed by the following principles and rules:

• a) Multiannual stability and predictability;
• b) Efficient use of resources;
• c) Funding covering activities based on creativity, independence and scientific excellence, and strategic programmes geared towards national regional missions and priorities, with reference to the definition of the strategic domains and the promotion of innovation;
• d) The multiannual programme contract's budget includes a component dedicated to funding scientific research;
• e) The multiannual programme contract's budget includes a component dedicated to funding innovation;
• f) Consideration of the past performance of the research and development areas and of the strategic domains, of demand observed, and of scientific, technological, economic and social impact;
• g) Leveraging synergies with existing partnerships and national and international co-funding, as well as alignment with European funds.

3 — Funding lines must cover, in an articulated and complementary manner, the entire research and innovation value chain, including:

• a) Fundamental research, disruptive research and applied research projects;
• b) Scientific, technological and innovation development programmes across different domains and thematic missions;
• c) Programmes supporting technology demonstration and disruptive innovation;
• d) Innovation, valorisation and knowledge-transfer programmes;
• e) Funding for individuals and their training, through grants or contracts for advanced training, contracts for researchers, and support for entrepreneurs and innovators;
• f) Funding for SNCTI institutions and entities;
• g) National and international institutional partnerships;
• h) Funding for scientific and technological infrastructure;
• i) Science and Technology Management Programmes;
• j) Incentives for developing entrepreneurship of scientific origin within academia, namely in emerging technologies;
• k) Programmes to stimulate R&I and the development of national scientific and technological capabilities, in partnership with other government areas;
• l) Programmes promoting an entrepreneurial culture within academia.

4 — Implementation of the multiannual funding programme is subject to continuous monitoring and periodic evaluation, comprising, at a minimum, the following components:

• a) Collection and processing of operational, financial and scientific data relating to programme implementation;
• b) Quantification of results achieved using objective metrics predefined in the programme contract;
• c) Preparation of annual progress reports, to be submitted to PLANAPP, DGEPA, DGE and the CNCTI, as well as to the Government members responsible for the areas of finance, economy, and science and innovation, subsequently published and disclosed;
• d) Conducting an independent, national and international multiannual evaluation, the methodology of which must observe principles of scientific rigour, impartiality, international comparability and the valorisation of excellence, the results of which are made public;
• e) Study, updating and monitoring of the evaluation methodologies used, with a view to the continued adoption of evaluation practices aligned with international standards and valuing excellence, scientific merit, impact and accountability, promoting their disclosure, transparency and discussion with SNCTI agents, entities, structures and networks.

5 — AI², E.P.E., periodically evaluates its financial support instruments, ensuring, by means of criteria previously established in the programme contract and in the applicable regulations, their efficient use of public resources, based on criteria that address, at a minimum, dimensions of scientific performance, social and economic impact, training and qualification of human resources, administrative efficiency, and consistency with AI², E.P.E.'s strategic objectives.

Article 23

Financial control

AI², E.P.E., is subject to the jurisdiction and control exercised by the Court of Auditors and by the General Inspectorate of Finance, under the law.

Article 24

Financial transparency

1 — AI², E.P.E., is governed by the principle of financial transparency, and its accounts must be organised under the legal terms and in a manner that clearly identifies all financial, operational and economic flows between it and the State.

2 — AI², E.P.E., is required to disclose to its financial oversight body:

● a) Its participation in any entities;

● b) The provision of financial guarantees, other than those issued under the Public Procurement Code, or the assumption of debts or liabilities of other entities;

● c) The degree of achievement of the objectives set, the justification for any deviations observed, and the corrective measures applied or to be applied;

● d) Its annual and multiannual activity and budget plans, including investment plans and funding sources;

● e) Its annual and multiannual accountability documents;

● f) Its quarterly budget-execution reports, accompanied by the reports of the supervisory body.

3 — AI², E.P.E., reports annually to the Government members exercising oversight over it on how its mission was pursued, the degree to which its objectives were met, how its social-responsibility and sustainable-development policy was implemented, and the extent to which its competitiveness was safeguarded, namely through research, development, innovation and the integration of new technologies into the production process.

4 — AI², E.P.E., must adopt cost-centre-based management in its activities.

5 — AI², E.P.E., complies with the legislation and regulations in force on the prevention of corruption, and must prepare an annual report identifying occurrences, or the risk of occurrences, of the acts provided for under Decree-Law No. 109-E/2021, of 9 December, as currently worded.

6 — AI², E.P.E., adopts or subscribes to a code of ethics setting out exacting ethical and deontological standards of conduct, and discloses it to all its employees and suppliers.

7 — AI², E.P.E., submits an annual report on good governance practices, containing current and complete information on all matters governed by this article, which is included in the annual accountability documents.

8 — The supervisory body is responsible for assessing, in its report, compliance with the preceding paragraph.

9 — AI², E.P.E., discloses on its website the information referred to in paragraphs 3 and 6.

Article 25

Accounting regime

1 — AI², E.P.E., adopts the Accounting Standardisation System for Public Administrations (SNC-AP) for public reporting and accountability purposes, under Decree-Law No. 192/2015, of 11 September.

2 — AI², E.P.E., may additionally maintain financial statements prepared under the Accounting Standardisation System (SNC) for internal management purposes and for reporting to international or European funding entities.