Dissemination
CIAC Secures €473,800 Funding from the EQUIPAR+2 Programme to Create a Pioneering Science Communication Laboratory
The Research Centre for Arts and Communication (CIAC) has had its application approved under the EQUIPAR+2 programme of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The funding obtained will enable the creation of INTERFACE – Digital Translation Laboratory, specialising in the translation and visualisation of complex scientific knowledge for the general public and the creative industries.
The proposal submitted was one of those selected under the EQUIPAR+2 call: National Investment for the Enhancement of Scientific Equipment in R&D Units, aimed at modernising and upgrading the national scientific infrastructure.
The project focuses on the acquisition of cutting-edge equipment for immersive production and interactivity. According to Bruno Mendes da Silva, CIAC coordinator, “INTERFACE will function as a specialised laboratory capable of transforming complex scientific data — for example, from the field of health sciences — into accessible and engaging visual narratives.” The resources to be made available will be a valuable asset for students of Communication and Arts at the University of Algarve and for CIAC researchers developing projects in this field.
In parallel, a branch of the laboratory, the AI Studio, will be created at the CIAC hub at the Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, focusing on artificial intelligence and digital literacy, and equipped to ensure inclusion and accessibility, including Braille displays and voice-command peripherals.
The installation and full operation of the INTERFACE laboratory are scheduled for completion by 30 June 2026, in line with the implementation timeline of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
Esta publicação também está disponível em: Portuguese (Portugal)