NRP Portugal

competitiveness,employmentandinnovation.Inthisarea,besidestheimportanceof cultural, geo‐strategically and economic value of Portuguese language, theintentionistostimulatethedynamicofthecultureeconomyandbringtothemarketthe cultural agents, demonstrating the interest and value of arts and creative andculturalindustries.ThroughpartnershipsbetweenMinistries,Countiesandprivateentities,abroadapproachisneeded,followingthelife‐cycleandthevalue‐chainofthesector,sincetherootsofindividualtalenttotheirfullestablishmentandconsolidationofthesocialandeconomicvalue,inordertostimulatecreativeactivities,qualificationofculturalagentsandcompetitivenessincreativeandculturalindustries.Culture in all its diversity can strengthen creativity and is a long‐lasting andsustainable resource. Companies that use culture as a “raw material” reduce theprobabilityofrelocationasthiswouldleadtoalossoftheframeworkwhichmakesthem competitive. Providing a favourable environment for the creation anddevelopment of SME in the cultural and creative sector and for the work of thecreators and economic agents is a strategic objective that is embodied in asignificantsetofspecificmeasures.In short, the approach taken by Portugal to the priority area of Research andInnovationisthatofanintegratedvisionthatgivesvaluetothenumerousprocessesand mechanisms that generate innovation and particularly value creation throughtheincorporationofcreativeknowledgeinproductsandprocesses.Measures3.1. MoreR&D• Increase aid for contracting new PhDs for the national scientific andtechnologicalsystem,atleast500morenewcontractsin2008‐2010;• Boost the allocation of Grants for Integration in Research (in recognisedR&Dcentres)forstudentsinthefirstyearsofhighereducationinordertomotivate students to start scientific activity and develop a critical sense,creativityandautonomybyintegratingtheminR&Dteamprojects;• Creation of new Thematic S&T networks aimed at the integration ofcapacities, advanced training, demonstration and dissemination andinternational cooperation, namely to support international partnershipsformedforS&TandHighereducation;• Creation of new R&D Consortia, including support mechanisms for theformationofPostGraduationSchoolsinPortugal,withaviewtoboostingpostgraduationactivitiesinPortugalinaninternationalcontextassupport36