The RESTART Programme, promoted by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), is a targeted funding scheme designed to support postdoctoral researchers returning to scientific activity after parental leave. By providing grants of up to €50,000 for 18-month projects, the initiative aims to promote gender equality and career sustainability by mitigating the impact of parenthood on research productivity, particularly in the early stages of a career. The programme has run three editions to date, and CQE researchers have had projects funded in every one of them.
In the first edition, Leonor Côrte-Real (“Unlocking the potential of Cu(I)-NHC coumarin-based conjugates for the treatment of aggressive cancers via folate-targeted approach”) and Laura Esteves (“Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to Solar Fuels Using New Composite Photocatalysts – A Promising Step Up to Reduce CO₂ Footprint”) secured funding for their projects . In Laura’s words: “Being awarded the FCT RESTART project (1st edition) represented a defining step in establishing my research career at CQE. The project focused on the development of advanced catalysts for CO₂ photoreduction towards solar fuels, integrating my previous research experience in heterogeneous catalysis, MOF composites, and carbon materials. Joining CQE in 2023 with the opportunity to immediately launch an independent funded project provided me the ideal conditions to establish myself as an early-career researcher. It also enabled me to start building my research team through the recruitment of two research fellows. In addition, the project opened the door to new collaborations, strengthened my professional network, and facilitated my integration into the scientific community. Importantly, RESTART also gave me valuable first-hand experience in project coordination, budget management, and the administrative responsibilities associated with leading funded research projects“.
In the second edition, Sara Realista received funding for her project “Enhancing CO₂ Electrocatalysis: Integrating Polymerisation into Cu-Adenine MOF for Advanced Electrode Development”. “Following the birth of my child and a period of maternity leave, this grant provided a timely opportunity to re-establish my research activity and scientific productivity. The project focused on developing innovative metal–organic framework (MOF) materials for CO₂ electrocatalysis, aiming to improve the conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and fuels through sustainable electrochemical processes. By combining inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, and materials science, the research explored new strategies to enhance the conductivity, stability, and catalytic performance of MOF-based materials for environmental applications. Professionally, this project had a major impact on my career because it enabled me to resume competitive research after maternity leave while strengthening my independence as a researcher. It allowed me to consolidate my expertise in inorganic electrochemistry, lead a research project as principal investigator, supervise students, expand international collaborations, and increase the visibility of my work through publications and conference participation. The grant also reinforced my long-term goal of becoming a leading researcher in sustainable technologies”, Sara shared.
The results of the RESTART 3rd edition were published in May 2026, with Carmen Bacariza’s project “Integrating Non-Thermal Plasma with Biomimetic Multifunctional Catalysis for One-Step CO₂ Conversion to Higher-Value Hydrocarbons” among those selected for funding. According to Carmen, “This project opens up an exciting new research line at the intersection of heterogeneous catalysis, plasma physics, and biocatalysis – areas whose combined potential remains largely unexplored. Beyond the scientific ambition, it represents a pivotal moment for my career, giving me the independence and resources to consolidate my own research identity and expand my network of collaborations”.
