We are living through a polycrisis: climate collapse, biodiversity loss, migratory pressures and socioeconomic inequalities that feed one another. Outermost regions feel it disproportionately — geographic isolation, external dependency for critical resources and exposure to extreme climate events leave little margin for error.
Yet the very condition that exposes Madeira also qualifies it. Its small scale allows controlled deployment and end-to-end monitoring; its island ecosystems offer ideal testing grounds for ecological AI; and the cohesion of its communities makes participatory co-design genuinely workable.
Objectives
O1 · Scientific research and innovation. Carry out excellent research in applied AI focused on the energy transition, digital health, sustainable tourism and digital citizenship.
O2 · Capacity building. Build the structural and human conditions for sustained advanced research in the region: PhD and MSc theses, summer and winter schools, computational infrastructure, and a larger critical mass of qualified researchers.
O3 · Communication and dissemination. Ensure broad dissemination of results and build bridges with civil society, promoting open science and public impact.
Phases
| Phase | Months | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Kick-off and planning | M1–M6 | Team recruitment, plan refinement, first national/international collaborations, website launch. |
| 2 · Execution and training | M7–M18 | First research phase, school preparation, first internationalisation missions. |
| 3 · Execution and dissemination | M19–M30 | Second research phase with a strong publication focus; summer and winter schools; industry engagement. |
| 4 · Consolidation | M31–M36 | Final results, continuation proposals, doctoral network, closure. |
Funding
- Programme: Madeira 2030 — European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- Priority: 1A — A Smarter and More Competitive Madeira: Knowledge and Innovation
- Specific objective: RSO1.1 — Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
- Duration: 36 months · April 2026 to March 2029
- Support: 2M€
- Beneficiary: ITI-LARSyS / UMa
EREI domains covered: Digital Technologies and Economy 4.0 · Health and Wellbeing · Circular Economy, Energy Transition, Climate Action and Biodiversity