Hire qualified professionals with part of the salary covered
This scheme co-funds the hiring of graduates, master's and PhD holders for innovation, engineering, data or export projects.
- Co-funding of highly qualified staff pay
- Stronger in-house innovation and management skills
- Can be combined with R&D and productive innovation projects
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Funding
Calculated for your project
Programmes
Portugal 2030, RRP and others
Region
Mainland Portugal
Eligible businesses
Micro businesses, Small businesses, Medium-sized businesses, Industrial companies
The opportunity
Why this funding is worth exploring
The incentive reduces the financial burden of the investment and accelerates projects already planned by the business.
Know-how that stays in the company
Instead of buying consultancy hours, the company builds the knowledge internally.
Shared salary cost
The support covers part of the pay during the defined period, making a senior profile affordable.
A lever for other projects
A qualified professional is often the missing piece to move ahead with R&D, exports or digitalisation.
Who can apply
- SMEs covered by the call in force
- Hiring someone with the required higher-education qualification
- A role linked to an innovation, technology or export plan
- Net creation of qualified employment
- Tax and social security compliance
What is supported
- Eligible pay of the hired professional over the defined period
- Mandatory social charges
- Indirect costs, as set out in the call
- Hiring for R&D, engineering, data or market management roles
- Alignment with innovation projects already under way
Not sure whether your project qualifies? Receive an answer within 24 business hours.
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Other funding linked to this project
Many companies combine more than one incentive. Check the related pages before deciding.
How Start PME works
From assessment to payment, with support at every stage
We work through clear stages so you always know what happens next.
- 1
Free assessment
We review the business profile, investment and region to confirm eligibility and the applicable rate.
- 2
Strategy and eligibility
We select the right call, structure the project and maximise the available uplifts.
- 3
Application submitted
We prepare the project description, investment plan and forecasts, and submit everything on time.
- 4
Delivery and payments
We support procurement, payment claims and reports through to project completion.
5,000+
Applications submitted
€50M+
Approved eligible expenditure
€27M+
Approved non-repayable funding
82%
Approval rate
Experience and trust
Trusted by the clients we have supported
Proven results and genuine feedback from Start PME clients.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the questions holding back your decision
Find out in two minutes whether funding is available for your business
Free assessment, reply within 24 business hours and no obligation.

