FAQ IN3+
About the IN3+ Award
Why did INCM decide to create this award?
Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda (INCM) decided to create this award, within the scope of the partnerships of its collaborative innovation network, in order to developing and promoting Research and Innovation (R&I) activities.
With the IN3+ Award, INCM intends to support the development and research of new solutions and products related to its wide and vast activity, in order to add value, develop its own technology and improve life of all Portuguese Citizens.
What is the purpose of the IN3+ Award?
INCM created the IN3+ Award as a way to strengthen its competitive position in an increasingly global and technological market.
Who can participate in the IN3+ Award?
The IN3+ Award is aimed at researchers who are linked to the entities of the INCM Innovation Network. Applications may be submitted under an association, consortium, or other formal form of partnership with business entities not belonging to the INCM Innovation Network.
What are the main areas of knowledge covered by the IN3+ Award?
- Advanced information systems
- Nanotechnology
- Production technology and advanced materials
- Automation
- Robotics
Who can participate in the IN3+ Award?
The IN3+ Award is aimed at researchers who are linked to the entities of the INCM Innovation Network. Applications may be submitted under an association, consortium, or other formal form of partnership with business entities not belonging to the INCM Innovation Network.
What prizes will be awarded?
After a positive technical-economic analysis of the project plan, the R&I project will be funded up to the amount of:
- 1st place: €600.000
- 2nd place: €250.000
- 3rd place: €150.000
Applicants of the winning ideas will receive 2% of the above amounts.
Will the prize be awarded to the team or to the partner organisation representing the team?
The prize consists of financing the project, up to the amount mentioned for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, which is contracted with the entity(ies) that are part of the INCM Innovation Network, and with the other entities considered in the presentation of the idea, and that will proceed with the pursuit of the respective R&I project.
There is also a reference value of 2%, attributed to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd classified, which will be delivered directly to the person responsible for submitting the idea.
Do the researchers involved in the winning ideas also receive a prize?
Yes. The authors of the winning ideas will be awarded 2% of the reference value awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
What is the deadline for applications?
15th September 2023.
Where and how should ideas be submitted?
Via the website https://premioin3mais.pt/en/.
The applicant must submit two forms, one with the team identification and the other with the idea.
Can more than one application be submitted?
There is no limit to the number of applications a candidate can submit, either as the person responsible or as a member of the team proposing the idea.
How are the winning ideas realised?
After the award ceremony, the promoters of the winning ideas will subsequently have to draw up a project plan, which will be evaluated by INCM, for the purpose of deciding whether to jointly realise the project.
What happens to pre-existing intellectual property rights after the award of the prize?
Pre-existing intellectual property rights, possibly used in the ideas in the competition, will not be shared and may only be applied in the context of the eventual development of the project.
The intellectual property rights that may result from the development of the R&I project will be shared between INCM and the other parties involved.
Can startups participate in the IN3+ Prize?
Yes, participation in the IN3+ Award is also open to startups.
For a startup to participate in the Award, it is not necessary for it to be part of the INCM Innovation Network (although it is possible), but the incubator or accelerator where it is located must be part of this Network.
Who assesses the ideas?
The IN3+ Award jury is composed of:
- Manuel Heitor, Former Minister of Science and Higher Education (President of the Jury)
- Maria Manuel Leitão Marques, Former Minister of the Presidency and Administrative Modernisation
- Vítor Constâncio, Former Governor of the Bank of Portugal and Vice-President of the ECB
- Isabel Furtado, Former President of the Board of COTEC Portugal
- Alcides Gama, Former Member of the Board of Directors of INCM
- Sílvia Garcia, Member of the Board of Directors of ANI
In point 6 of the idea form, is there a time limit set on the expected duration?
No time limit is defined. A timeframe that is in line with the technology to be developed and the expected period for its applicability should be considered. The timeframe of the projects that have been developed at INCMLAB vary between 12 and 24 months in their majority, although there may be other timeframes.
Does the award result in the contracting of a service to my organisation/company?
The promoters of the winning ideas will be invited by INCM to draw up the project plan for the realisation of the idea. In case of a positive assessment of the project plan by INCM, it will contract with the promoters the joint execution of the project, under the terms of the applicable legislation, and the intellectual property rights that may result from it will be shared.
How and when will the winners be announced?
The announcement of the finalists is expected to take place in early November 2023, with the award ceremony and respective announcement of the winning ideas also taking place in November, on a date to be announced.
About the INCM Innovation Network
What advantages does the INCM Innovation Network offer?
The partnership between the entities that make up the INCM Innovation Network is aimed at the joint development of R&I projects and provides for the sharing of costs for their development, as well as the sharing of the resulting intellectual property.
I want to participate in the IN3+ Award, but my institution/entity is not on the list of partners of the INCM Innovation Network.
The Institution/entity may propose to join the INCM Innovation Network and enter into a partnership agreement with INCM, if it fulfils the necessary conditions, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Applications may also be submitted in partnership, provided that the person responsible for submitting the application belongs to an entity that is part of the INCM Innovation Network.
What is required for my company to be part of the INCM Innovation Network?
Since the Award consists of the possible joint development of R&I projects, resulting from the winning ideas, the company must have a research centre or unit, in order to be able to ensure the development of the project.
How to join the INCM Innovation Network?
The integration in the INCM Innovation Network is carried out under a partnership agreement for the development of joint R&I activities, where, among others, rules for sharing intellectual property on the developments obtained are defined.
The proposing entity must identify the R&I activities it develops, in order to assess whether they are aligned with INCM’s strategic objectives, and thus assess the relevance of joining the INCM Innovation Network.
Where can requests for information be addressed?
Through the contact form on the website https://premioin3mais.pt/en/contacts/.