The Scientific Councils are an advisory body supporting the FCT Board of Directors, “with an extremely important role in terms of strategic advice and recommendations on the development, implementation and adequacy of support programs for science and technology”. Overall, the Scientific Councils are divided according to the following scientific domains: (i) Exact and Engineering Sciences, (ii) Life and Health Sciences, (iii) Natural and Environmental Sciences and (iv) Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The councils bring together 46 members covering different areas of knowledge and include members of the national scientific community, as well as Portuguese researchers affiliated with foreign institutions.