# Advanced Computing Projects – 6th Edition, A1 (Development Access), Lot C

**Funder:** Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
**Duration:** 3–12 months
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Two tracks: Fast Track (technical & administrative validation only, for projects with prior scientific evaluation in last 3 years) and Integral Track (adds external scientific evaluation panels); Round E is Fast Track only
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** PT
**Official call:** https://www.fct.pt/en/concursos/concurso-de-projetos-de-computacao-avancada-6-ed-a0-a1-lote-c-
**Last verified:** 3 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Provides development access (A1) for software performance testing, code optimisation, scalability and benchmarking (max 100,000 CPU core.hours, 5,000 GPU.hours, 3–12 months). Eligible: R&D institutions, collaborative labs, tech-interface centres, S&T infrastructures, non-profit organisations, Digital Innovation Hubs, companies (pre-competitive R&D only, ≤50% of total quota), and individuals active in Portugal. Applications must be submitted in English via myFCT.

## Summary

The Advanced Computing Projects (ACP) 6th Edition, A1 Development Access provides computing resources for software performance testing, code optimisation, and benchmarking via high-performance computing infrastructure in Portugal. Allocations offer up to 100,000 CPU core-hours and 5,000 GPU-hours over 3-12 months. Eligible applicants include R&D institutions, collaborative labs, Digital Innovation Hubs, non-profit organisations, companies engaged in pre-competitive R&D, and individuals active in Portugal; round E (Fast Track) is open 15 May, 15 September 2026, with early closure if quota exhausted.

## Who should apply

- R&D teams and institutions based or active in Portugal
- Software developers and engineers optimising code for HPC environments
- Companies pursuing pre-competitive research (capped at 50% of total quota)
- Digital Innovation Hubs, collaborative labs, and tech-interface centres
- Individuals and non-profit organisations with active Portuguese research presence

## Key dates

- Fast Track round E open 15 May 2026 (17:00) through 15 September 2026 (17:00); closes early if quota is exhausted
- Fast Track route: technical and administrative validation only (for projects with prior scientific evaluation within 3 years)
- Project duration: 3 to 12 months

## Tips for applicants

- Fast Track route requires prior scientific evaluation within the last 3 years; without it, wait for an Integral Track round that includes external peer review.
- Submit in English via myFCT; quotas are competitive and round closes early if filled, so apply well before the 15 September deadline.
- Document code optimisation and benchmarking goals concretely; reviewers assess feasibility of achieving measurable scalability gains within your allocated CPU/GPU hours.

## Frequently asked questions

### What computing resources does ACP A1 Development Access provide?

Up to 100,000 CPU core-hours and 5,000 GPU-hours per project for software performance testing, optimisation, and benchmarking over a 3-12 month period.

### Who is eligible to apply for ACP A1 Development Access?

R&D institutions, collaborative labs, tech-interface centres, S&T infrastructures, non-profit organisations, Digital Innovation Hubs, companies (pre-competitive R&D only, capped at 50% of total quota), and individuals active in Portugal.

### What is the difference between Fast Track and Integral Track in round E?

Fast Track (round E only) requires prior scientific evaluation within 3 years and undergoes technical and administrative validation only; Integral Track includes external scientific peer review but is not open in round E.

### When does round E close?

Round E closes on 15 September 2026 at 17:00 or earlier if the computing quota is exhausted.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fct-funda-o-para-a-ci-ncia-e-a-tecnologia-advanced-computing-projects-6th-edition-a1-develop-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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