Formal purpose structures (a fim de, a fim de que)

In formal writing, such as academic grant proposals, expressing purpose precisely is key. Instead of the everyday para (to/for), use the formal structures a fim de and a fim de que.

A fim de + Infinitive

Use a fim de (in order to) when the subject is the same in both parts of the sentence. It is followed directly by an infinitive verb.

I draft the project in order to fund the research.
Redijo o projeto a fim de financiar a investigação.
They analyze it in order to grant the funds.
Eles analisam-no a fim de conceder a verba.

A fim de que + Subjunctive

When the action is intended to cause a different subject to do something, use a fim de que (so that / in order that).

Because it expresses an unrealized goal or intention, a fim de que always triggers the subjunctive.

Notice how the subject changes from "we" (submetemos) to "the committee" (o comité), triggering the subjunctive verb aprove:

We submit the project so that the committee approves it.
Submetemos o projeto a fim de que o comité o aprove.

Similarly, here the funds (a verba) are the new subject, requiring the subjunctive chegue:

They draft the document so that the funds arrive.
Eles redigem o documento a fim de que a verba chegue.