Portugal releases first 750,000 euros for sports research projects

The Portuguese government has released the first installment of funding for five applied research projects aimed at sports development. This initial payment, totaling approximately 750,000 euros, represents 25% of the total allocated funds for these specific projects, which are part of a larger 1.5 million euro investment under the National Sports Development Plan (PNDD).

The Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP) evaluated 20 applications to select the five winning projects. The research focuses on advanced fields such as artificial intelligence, performance monitoring and optimization, talent development, and technological innovation.

Margarida Balseiro Lopes, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, stated that the initiative aims to make Portuguese sports increasingly supported by knowledge, science, and innovation. The goal is to bridge the gap between scientific research and the practical needs of athletes, coaches, and federations to facilitate more effective public policies based on concrete data.