A Collaborative Laboratory – CoLAB is a private non-profit association or a company, either already established or to be established, whose main objective is to foster collaboration among its members in pursuing shared short- and medium-term research and innovation agendas aimed at creating highly qualified employment and generating economic and social value.

Collaborative Laboratories provide an opportunity for scientific and academic institutions, working closely with economic, social, and cultural stakeholders, to contribute to the development of internationally relevant projects in Portugal with a tangible impact on society, while stimulating the creation of highly qualified employment in the country.

Collaborative Laboratory status is granted by FCT for a renewable period of five years, following an evaluation process.