Strategic Programme / PRR

PRR / Equipar+2: Modernization of the CEAD-FS Scientific Research Infrastructure

Centre of Advanced Studies in Law Francisco Suárez (CEAD-FS) is currently implementing an ambitious plan for technological modernization and the expansion of its research infrastructure. This qualitative leap is co-funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and the European Union through NextGenerationEU, materializing through two complementary funding streams Multi-Year Funding Support (PRR1) and Equipar+2 program (PRR2). 

The modernization strategy directly addresses the core project of CEAD-FS: Law as Multiversum. Prioritizing access to top-tier legal databases to boost research capabilities, the Center has strategically invested in a scalable and high-performance IT architecture. This infrastructure serves as the cornerstone for conducting the comparative, multidisciplinary, and transnational research outlined in the unit's strategic project, overcoming physical limitations and providing research teams with the necessary tools for innovation in frontier areas.

Consequently, this investment—geared toward the digital transition and the reinforcement of the knowledge infrastructure—allows CEAD-FS to elevate the scope and impact of its research. It promotes access to global resources and equips researchers with advanced computing tools for processing complex data in Law and related fields.

Project Fact Sheet

• Project Title: Modernisation and Digital Transformation of the Francisco Suárez Centre for Advanced Studies in Law (CEAD-FS)
• Project Reference: UID/PRR/06331/2025
• Project Reference (Equipar+2): UID/PRR2/06331/2025
• Funding Programme: Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) – NextGenerationEU (Equipar+2 Programme)
• Beneficiary Institution: COFAC – Cooperativa de Formação e Animação Cultural, CRL
• Research Unit: Centre of Advanced Studies in Law Francisco Suárez (CEAD-FS)
• Eligible Investment:

• UID/PRR/06331/2025: 38.921,88 €

• UID/PRR2/06331/2025: 72.136,15 €

Project Description

The project aims to achieve the restructuring and digital transformation of CEAD-FS through two main pillars: access to top-tier legal databases (such as HeinOnline and CambridgeCore) and the upgrading of high-performance computing equipment. This directly addresses the challenge of "Low Laboratory Intensity" and aligns CEAD with international centers of excellence. The acquisitions support the center's strategic research areas: i) Law, Life, and Technology; ii) Justice and Freedom; iii) State, International Society, and Human Action.

The ultimate objective is to enable multidisciplinary legal research to move beyond traditional methods by incorporating data analysis tools and artificial intelligence applied to Law, Support the collaboration of cross-disciplinary teams (Law, Criminology, Political Science, Technology) through a shared infrastructure, Equip CEAD-FS hubs (Lisbon, Porto, Portimão) with advanced multimedia infrastructure to host international hybrid events in partnership with other European institutions and Strengthen the support infrastructure to boost the success rate in leading applications for competitive European funding.

Scientific and Technical Objectives

• Research Excellence: Strengthen the Centre's capacity for multidisciplinary, comparative, and transnational scientific research.

• Global Access to Knowledge: Enhance access to international legal scholarship and specialised databases, addressing the limitations identified under the Low Laboratory Intensity classification.

• Digital Transformation: Acquire advanced hardware and software capable of supporting complex artificial intelligence models applied to legal regulation, public policy, and judicial systems.

• Internationalisation: Increase CEAD-FS's competitiveness in international funding calls, particularly under Horizon Europe, by reinforcing its research support infrastructure.

Infraestrutura Adquirida

In compliance with the transparency guidelines of the PRR (Recovery and Resilience Plan), the acquired technological and scientific portfolio is detailed below:

A. Scientific Knowledge Infrastructure (EQUIPAR+2 Program | PRR2)

• Cambridge Core (Cambridge University Press): Multi-year institutional access to one of the world's most extensive collections of global academic publications.

• HeinOnline: Multi-year subscription to the leading international database for academic and scientific legal research.

• Advanced Hardware: High-capacity iMac M4 workstations and MacBook Pro M5 laptops, ensuring the processing power required by the new demands of Data Science applied to Law.

B. Scalable Computing and Multimedia (Multi-Year Funding | PRR1)

• High-Performance IT Equipment: Workstations, "All-in-One" computers, tablets, next-generation laptops, and monitors for researchers, promoting mobility and inter-campus networking.

• Science Communication Studio and Multimedia: Integrated videoconferencing systems (Poly Studio / Smart TVs), professional-grade image and audio capture equipment (Sony Alpha cameras, DJI microphones, 1080p webcams), ensuring maximum quality in the transfer of knowledge to both peers and society.

Acknowledgments and Transparency

This investment is funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU, through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), under the Equipar+2 program and Multi-Year Funding.

The activities of CEAD-FS are additionally supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, I.P.), under the following funding references:

• Strategic Project with reference UID/6331/2025: DOI https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/06331/2025;

• UID/PRR/06331/2025 and DOI: https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/PRR/06331/2025;

• UID/PRR2/06331/2025 and DOI: https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/PRR2/06331/2025

To learn more about the progress and impact of European funds in Portugal, please visit the official portal: Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) – recuperarportugal.gov.pt

Research Unit

E-mail: cead.francisco.suarez@ulusofona.pt

Website: cead.ulusofona.pt

https://cead.ulusofona.pt/