You’ll find FCT’s PhD funding program offers generous support for doctoral research in Portugal, with monthly stipends of over €1,260 (from 2024 onwards) plus extras for tuition, travel, and research activities. The program’s open to Portuguese citisens, EU nationals, and international researchers, though you’ll need a Master’s degree and acceptance into a PhD program to apply. You’ll submit your application through the myFCT portal, typically between March and April, including your research proposal, supervisor’s approval, and academic credentials. With approximately 320 R&D units and opportunities for international collaboration, there’s a whole world of research possibilities waiting to unfold.
Key Takeaways
- FCT PhD funding offers monthly stipends of approximately 1,260 euros plus allowances for tuition, training, and travel expenses for eligible doctoral research.
- Applications require academic credentials, research proposal, supervisor acceptance, institutional support, and submission through myFCT portal by April.
- Evaluation criteria weigh work plan (40%), applicant merit (30%), and hosting conditions (30%), requiring minimum score of 3.000/5.000 for funding.
- Funding supports research at approximately 320 R&D units across Portugal and international institutions, with opportunities for global collaboration and mobility.
- Open to Portuguese citisens, EU nationals, and international applicants, excluding previous FCT PhD grant recipients and current doctoral degree holders.
Who Can Apply
When it comes to FCT PhD funding, the eligibility net is cast quite wide. You’ll find that citisenship requirements are remarkably flexible, welcoming Portuguese citizens, EU nationals, and third-party state individuals.
Even if you’re stateless or hold political refugee status, you’re welcome to apply – an inclusive approach to research funding and awarding studentships.
The application process hinges primarily on your academic standing rather than your passport. You’ll need to either be enrolled in a PhD program or meet the enrollment requirements.
Most programs expect you to hold a Master’s degree, though some might consider you with a Bachelor’s. If you’ve earned your degrees abroad, you’ll need to get them recognised by Portuguese authorities – it’s a straightforward but essential step in your eligibility criteria checklist.
There’s one significant caveat: if you’ve previously received a PhD studentship or PhD in Industry studentship directly funded by FCT, you’re not eligible this time around.
Similarly, if you already hold a doctoral degree, you’ll need to look elsewhere for funding. Beyond these restrictions, you’re free to pursue any type of PhD program that leads to a recognised doctoral degree.
For international applicants, there’s an important residency requirement to note: if your work plan involves research in Portugal or abroad, you’ll need to be permanently or habitually resident in Portugal.
Age and work experience don’t factor into your eligibility, so whether you’re fresh out of your Master’s or pursuing a mid-career shift, you’re welcome to apply.
Successful applicants must submit their applications through the designated online platform during the month-long submission window.
Application Requirements and Documents
For a successful FCT PhD funding application, you’ll need to navigate through a precise set of document requirements and submission protocols.
The application process starts with electronic submission through the myFCT portal, where you’ll upload your thorough document checklist. You’re allowed only one application, so make it count! Candidates must maintain satisfactory research progress to secure annual renewals.
Required Document | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Academic Credentials | Original certificates + Portuguese scale conversion for foreign degrees |
Work Plan | Detailed research proposal with methodology and timeline |
Supervision Documents | Written acceptance from your supervisor |
Institutional Support | Letter guaranteeing research conditions |
Enrollment Proof | Confirmation of PhD program acceptance |
Don’t forget the exclusive dedication regime document – it’s your commitment to full-time research. If you’re an international candidate, you’ll need to prove your Portuguese residence status, when applicable.
The evaluation scope weighs three main criteria: your merit (30%), your work plan (40%), and hosting conditions (30%). Expert panels will grade each aspect from 0 to 5, so verify every document showcases your potential impact.
Key Dates and Deadlines
As you plan your FCT PhD funding journey, marking critical dates on your calendar becomes your first strategic move.
Here’s a timeline overview that’ll keep you on track: The application window typically opens in March and closes in April, remaining open for approximately 30 days. Remember to check the FCT website for precise dates for the upcoming call.
The post-submission phase requires patience. While you wait for the final results announcement, typically at the end of October, you might receive a preliminary hearing notice (keep checking your email).
Once the final decision arrives, you’ll typically have 15 working days to file any claims and 30 working days for appeals. If approved, your grant could extend up to 48 months, with annual renewals.
Consider setting up calendar alerts for each deadline, giving yourself buffer time for unexpected delays.
Selection and Evaluation Process
Now that you’ve got your dates locked in, let’s talk about what makes or breaks your FCT PhD application. The selection process follows a rigorous evaluation system where expert panels assess your application across three main criteria, each carrying specific weights in your final score.
Your success hinges on scoring well in these key areas:
Evaluation Criteria | Weight | What’s Assessed |
---|---|---|
Merit of Applicant | 30% | Academic Career (50%) & Personal CV (50%) |
Merit of Work Plan | 40% | Research Proposal Quality |
Hosting Conditions | 30% | Research Environment & Support |
Minimum Score | 3.000 | Out of Maximum 5.000 |
Tiebreaker Order | A→B→C | Work Plan, then Applicant, then Hosting |
The evaluation panels use a precise scoring system ranging from 0.000 to 5.000 for each criterion. You’ll need to achieve at least 3.000 in your final weighted average to be considered for funding. If you’re neck-and-neck with other candidates, the tiebreakers kick in, starting with your work plan’s score.
Financial Support and Benefits
As a recipient of the FCT PhD scholarship, you’ll receive a monthly maintenance stipend of approximately €1,260 for grants in Portugal, but this can vary for international students. This amount is regularly updated to keep pace with inflation.
What’s particularly appealing is that these scholarship values aren’t just limited to the basic stipend – you might also qualify for additional allowances covering tuition fees, training activities, and travel expenses.
Suppose you’re planning to conduct research at a foreign institution through a mixed scholarship. In that case, you’ll be pleased to know that installation and travel allowances are available to support your international stay. Need to present your work at scientific conferences? There’s funding for that as well.
Your safety is covered too, with personal accident insurance for all your research activities.
The funding sources for your scholarship come from a robust combination of the State Budget and the European Social Fund (ESF), ensuring stable financial support throughout your academic journey.
You’re eligible for this funding if you’re Portuguese, have permanent residence in Portugal, or if you’re an international student planning to research at a Portuguese institution.
One important note: you can’t apply if you’ve previously received an FCT-funded PhD research grant.
Your scholarship is renewable annually for up to four years, giving you ample time to complete your doctoral research.
All these benefits are governed by FCT Studentship and Fellowship Regulations, along with the Research Fellow Statute under Law No. 40/2004, ensuring transparent and fair administration of your funding.
Research Centers and Laboratories
While your FCT funding guarantees financial stability, your research environment plays an equally important role in your PhD journey.
You’ll be joining a robust network of approximately 320 R&D units, including 80 Centers of Excellence and 25 Associated Laboratories, where approximately 30% of Portugal’s researchers conduct their work. These centers receive research center funding based on international peer reviews conducted every three to five years, verifying you’ll be working in environments committed to maintaining high scientific standards.
You’ll find that these research facilities aren’t just isolated ivory towers. Laboratory collaborations are common, with centers actively participating in national and international projects.
Whether you’re placed in a Center of Excellence or an Associated Laboratory, you’ll benefit from specialised committees overseeing strategic management and well-established infrastructure provided by host institutions.
- Centers of Excellence combine research, training, and technology transfer, giving you exposure to multiple aspects of academic work.
- Associated Laboratories offer substantial critical mass in specific fields, perfect if you’re looking to dive deep into specialised research.
- Internal scientific committees verify effective management and strategic direction, helping you navigate your research path efficiently.
The distribution of these centers across scientific fields is relatively balanced, with slight variations in medical sciences (11%) and agricultural sciences (4%).
Your research center’s evaluation rating will influence its funding levels, but you can rest assured that all centers maintain high standards of scientific production and impact, validated through rigorous international peer review processes.
International Research Opportunities
FCT’s PhD funding opens up a world of opportunities beyond Portugal’s borders, with international research becoming increasingly central to modern doctoral studies.
You’ll find that the program’s openness to all nationalities and support for research at international institutions create fertile ground for global collaborations that can shape your academic journey.
As you plan your international research path, you’ll be glad to know that FCT doesn’t restrict you to Portuguese institutions. You can conduct your research work at renowned laboratories and universities worldwide, building valuable research networks along the way.
The funding package includes support for international mobility, covering potential relocation costs and travel expenses, making your shift to overseas research more manageable.
What’s particularly appealing is that you’re eligible regardless of whether you’re an EU citizen, third-party state national, or even a political refugee.
The key is meeting the academic requirements – having a Master’s degree or equivalent scientific background recognised by your target university. You won’t be eligible if you’ve previously held an FCT-funded PhD scholarship or already have a doctoral degree.
Mixed scholarships allow students to spend up to two years at foreign institutions while completing their doctoral research.
The evaluation process puts significant weight on your work plan (40%) and hosting conditions (30%), so choosing an international institution that strengthens these aspects can boost your application.
You’ll need to submit your proposal through the myFCT portal, ensuring your international research plans are well-documented and align with the program’s criteria.
Post-Award Responsibilities
Securing your FCT PhD funding marks the beginning of significant responsibilities you’ll need to stay on top of throughout your doctoral journey. As a funded researcher, you’re expected to maintain rigorous project compliance while juggling multiple administrative tasks. Your primary focus should be on implementing your research plan, but don’t underestimate the importance of proper financial management and regular reporting.
You’ll need to meticulously track your expenses and verify they align with both FCT guidelines and your institution’s policies. This means keeping detailed records of everything from equipment purchases to travel expenses. Remember, your supervisor and institution’s research office are there to help, but ultimately, you’re responsible for managing your grant effectively.
- Set up a digital system for tracking deadlines, expenses, and required certifications – your future self will thank you when audit time comes around.
- Schedule quarterly check-ins with your institution’s grant office to stay ahead of reporting requirements and catch potential issues early.
- Create templates for recurring reports and keep them updated regularly – this saves time and verifies consistency.
The closeout phase of your grant deserves special attention. Start preparing 90 days before your funding period ends by reviewing deliverables, organising documentation, and verifying all financial reports are in order.
Keep in mind that you may need to participate in evaluation studies or provide additional documentation even after your grant period ends. Maintaining good records throughout your PhD journey will make this final phase much smoother.