Advanced Computing is a critical lever for scientific, economic, and technological progress, enabling advancements in academic, scientific, and business domains. Recognizing this importance, the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) announces the creation of the National Advanced Computing Center (CNCA), a new institutional structure funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan under the Ciência Mais Digital initiative.

The CNCA’s mission is to manage, promote, and drive Advanced Computing initiatives in Portugal, generating a significant impact on research and innovation communities. The center aims to position Portugal at the forefront of computational capabilities, engaging partners from the National Science and Technology System from its inception.

On January 31, at 3:00 PM, an online session will be held to introduce the CNCA, outlining its operational model, initial resources, and the process for entities to join. Participation is free but requires prior registration. Upon registration, participants will receive the link to access the event.

To encourage interaction and provide clarification, interested parties are invited to send relevant questions to cnca-questoes@incd.pt by January 27. Other inquiries can also be addressed to the same email address.

The launch of the CNCA is part of a broader effort by FCT, which already leads initiatives such as funding R&D projects in Advanced Computing, acquiring cutting-edge computational resources – including the Deucalion and MareNostrum 5 supercomputers under the EuroHPC JU framework – and the streamlined allocation of computing time to beneficiaries of previously evaluated FCT projects.

With this new center, FCT reinforces its commitment to advancing science, fostering innovation, and enhancing collaboration, positioning Portugal as a strategic player in the field of Advanced Computing.