According to a statement from the DGPC, the exceptional program is intended for research projects previously subject to evaluation, approved and ongoing by PIPA 2021, and each candidate/researcher responsible can request funding for only one project directed by him, with maximum amount of 10 thousand euros. Contacted by the Lusa agency, the Assistant Secretary of State and Cultural Heritage, Ângela Ferreira, recalled that this extraordinary support "resulted from a commitment made [by the Government] at the end of 2020, and, therefore, was included in the State Budget for 2021 in the DGPC".

"The amount of 200 thousand euros is intended for projects in archeology that are already active, therefore underway, with the assent of the DGPC", he pointed out, adding that "it may be applied in complementary research to that which the candidates had done in the initial application. the action of investigation, that is, in essential works that arise throughout the development of the project".

Ângela Ferreira also mentioned that these projects in a universe of around 60 ongoing in the country, within the framework of PIPA and the National Plan for Archaeological Works are always presented under the scientific direction of an archaeologist as team leader. Among the ongoing projects, some of which will run until 2025, are the enhancement of the Roman ruins of Troia, investigations into prehistoric tomb manifestations in Caldas de Monchique, the Roman spa of São Vicente, in Penafiel, or the study of the archeology of death in the Escoural cave, in Montemor-o-Novo.

Asked by Lusa about the last time that extraordinary support of this kind had been provided, the Secretary of State indicated that "it dates from 2009, and, therefore, it was a commitment of this Government to reactivate it again, with the prospect that next year it may come to increase". "This support must be read and understood in addition to the action of the Working Group - National Strategy for Archeology, which is underway, and which is intended to be a concerted and articulated national strategy with the areas of Science and Technology , so that we can resort to other sources of funding, namely European funds, or others that are available for this area of research and knowledge, and with the use of new technologies", stressed the Secretary of State.

Applications for this support can be submitted electronically until 11:59pm on the 19th of September, to the address dbc@dgpc.pt, and, according to the DGPC, after deliberation within five working days, the results will be announced. online´ on 27 September. The documentation necessary to formalize the application will be made available today on the DGPC website, at www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt.