The FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PhD Studentships in Portugal | Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) | Brilliant Scholarship
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The FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PhD Studentships in Portugal
Fully funded FCT PhD studentships in Portugal open to all nationalities and scientific disciplines, covering stipend, tuition, and research costs.
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
Overview
Portugal's Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) — the country's principal public agency for funding science, technology, and innovation — administers one of Europe's most inclusive and well-structured doctoral funding programs: the FCT PhD Studentships. Open to applicants of all nationalities and covering virtually all academic disciplines, this fully funded program supports doctoral candidates who are committed to conducting high-impact research in Portugal or, in some cases, internationally. Each year, hundreds of studentships are awarded through a rigorous, merit-based evaluation process, making the FCT program a competitive but genuinely accessible route to fully funded doctoral study in Europe. For researchers seeking an academically stimulating environment with strong institutional support, historic cultural richness, and access to European research networks, Portugal and the FCT studentship represent a highly compelling combination.
Scholarship Details
The FCT PhD Studentship is a fully funded doctoral award designed to remove financial barriers for talented researchers at every stage of their PhD journey. The support package is comprehensive and covers multiple dimensions of the doctoral experience.
Financial benefits include:
A monthly stipend to cover living expenses throughout the studentship period (specific amounts are published annually and are benchmarked to Portugal's academic salary scales)
Full tuition fee coverage for enrollment in the PhD program
Funding for research activities, including laboratory costs, materials, and other project-related expenses
Support for attending scientific conferences — both national and international — allowing scholars to present their work and build professional networks
Personal accident insurance during the funding period
Travel and relocation assistance where applicable, particularly for candidates moving to Portugal or undertaking research stays abroad
Support for additional academic training, including workshops, courses, and professional development activities
The program is jointly funded by the Portuguese government and European Union resources, specifically through the European Social Fund under the PESSOAS 2030 Program, underscoring its strategic importance for Portugal's research and innovation agenda.
Stipends are typically awarded for an initial period and renewed annually subject to satisfactory academic and research progress, with the total funding period generally extending up to four years for a standard PhD program.
Eligibility Requirements
The FCT PhD Studentship program is notable for its broad eligibility criteria, which make it accessible to a wide range of candidates internationally.
Award Amount
Monthly stipend for living expenses plus tuition coverage, research funding, conference support, and travel costs
Payment: Monthly
Deadline
2027-01-01
Specific deadline for the 2027 cycle not stated in source; applicants should monitor the official FCT portal (myFCT) for the Regular Line of Application deadline announcement.
Duration
Standard PhD studentship duration is up to 4 years, subject to annual renewal based on progress
Renewable
Yes
About the AuthorActive ApplicantUniversity Graduate
I'm a university graduate currently navigating the world of scholarship applications. I run this blog as an active, personal database of opportunities I'm researching — every listing here is one I've evaluated myself. My goal is to help fellow students cut through the noise and find funding that actually fits their profile.
📚 Researched & curated by a current applicant · Updated regularly
ProviderFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
AmountMonthly stipend for living expenses plus tuition coverage, research funding, conference support, and travel costs
Deadline2027-01-01
Duration4 years
Fully FundedYes
RenewableYes
Who Is This Scholarship For?
Ideal Candidate:
Enrollment Status: Applicants must be enrolled in, or eligible to enroll in, a PhD program at a recognized higher education institution or research center. The studentship can support research conducted at public or private universities, associated laboratories, research centers, and non-profit R&D organizations.
Doctoral Degree Status: Candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree at the time of application. The FCT studentship is specifically designed for researchers who have not yet completed their PhD.
Prior FCT Funding: Applicants who have previously received an FCT-funded PhD studentship are not eligible to apply for another. This rule ensures that the program's resources reach as many first-time doctoral researchers as possible.
Residency Requirement (for research abroad): If the proposed research will be conducted partially or fully outside of Portugal, the applicant must be a habitual and permanent resident of Portugal. This condition applies to research stays abroad but not to applicants conducting their research within Portuguese institutions.
Nationality: The program is open to Portuguese citizens, EU member state nationals, international students from third countries, stateless individuals, and applicants with recognized political refugee status. This makes it one of the most internationally open national doctoral funding programs in Europe.
Evaluation Criteria: Applications are assessed by expert panels using three equally weighted criteria:
Merit of the Applicant (30%) — academic record, professional experience, and research potential
Merit of the Research Work Plan (40%) — quality, feasibility, and potential impact of the proposed research
Merit of the Hosting Conditions (30%) — quality of the host institution and supervisory environment
Applications must achieve a minimum overall score of 3.0 out of 5.0 to be eligible for funding.
Fields of Study & Programs
One of the most distinctive features of the FCT PhD Studentships program is its universal disciplinary coverage. Unlike many national doctoral funding schemes that prioritize STEM or prioritize a narrow set of strategic research areas, FCT explicitly welcomes applications from all scientific domains.
Eligible research fields include:
Science and Technology — applied sciences, physics, chemistry, and interdisciplinary research
Engineering — civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and biomedical engineering
Health and Medical Sciences — clinical research, public health, pharmacology, and biomedical science
Social Sciences — economics, political science, sociology, and psychology
Natural Sciences — biology, ecology, geosciences, and marine sciences
Environmental Sciences — climate research, sustainability, and environmental management
Humanities — history, linguistics, philosophy, literature, and cultural studies
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — machine learning, big data, and computational research
This breadth means that regardless of your academic background, the FCT program may have a pathway for you, provided your research proposal meets the program's quality and impact standards.
Participating Universities
FCT PhD Studentships can be hosted at a wide range of institutions across Portugal, including public and private universities, polytechnic institutes, research centers, associated laboratories, and non-profit R&D organizations. This decentralized model gives applicants significant flexibility in choosing the most suitable research environment for their project.
Among the most prominent host universities are the University of Lisbon, Portugal's largest university, known for its excellence across sciences, medicine, law, and the humanities; the University of Porto, a research-intensive institution with strong programs in engineering, natural sciences, and health; the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in the world, with a distinguished tradition in law, science, and the arts; NOVA University Lisbon, recognized for innovation in economics, social sciences, and technology; and the University of Minho, based in Braga and known for engineering, biological sciences, and information systems.
Portugal's research ecosystem has grown considerably in recent decades, supported by significant EU investment and a government commitment to expanding scientific output. The country consistently punches above its weight in research productivity relative to its size, particularly in materials science, marine research, and computer science.
How to Apply
The FCT PhD Studentships application process is conducted exclusively through the myFCT online portal. Applications submitted by email, post, or any other method are not accepted under any circumstances. Here is a clear guide to navigating the process:
Step 1: Access the myFCT Portal
Visit the official FCT website and navigate to the PhD Studentships section. Create a myFCT account if you do not already have one, or log in to an existing account. The portal is the sole gateway for all application activities.
Step 2: Select the Correct Application Line
Choose the PhD Studentships – Regular Line of Application. Ensure you are applying to the correct funding cycle and intake period, as FCT may operate multiple calls throughout the year.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Before filling out the online form, gather all required materials:
A curriculum vitae (CV) detailing your academic qualifications, research experience, publications, and professional background
A research proposal or work plan — the most critical document, describing your proposed PhD project, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and timeline. This component carries the highest weight (40%) in the evaluation
Academic transcripts and degree certificates from all previous higher education
Any additional documentation required by the specific call announcement
Step 4: Identify a Host Institution and Supervisor
Before submitting, you should have identified a host institution in Portugal and, ideally, a willing supervisor. The quality of your hosting conditions is evaluated as part of the scoring process, so a strong institutional affiliation and a clearly identified research supervisor will strengthen your application substantially.
Step 5: Complete and Submit the Online Form
Fill in all sections of the myFCT application form carefully and accurately. Upload your documents in the specified formats. Review everything thoroughly before final submission, and ensure you submit before the official deadline.
Tips for a Competitive Application:
Invest significant time in developing your research work plan — this is the highest-weighted criterion.
Tailor your research proposal to the specific expertise of your prospective supervisor and host institution.
Be explicit about the broader societal or scientific impact of your proposed research.
Contact potential supervisors before applying to confirm their availability and interest.
Deadlines & Important Dates
FCT announces specific application deadlines for each funding call through the official myFCT portal and the FCT website. For the 2027 cycle, the precise deadline has not yet been formally published at the time of this writing, but FCT typically issues calls on a regular annual schedule.
Historically, FCT PhD Studentship calls have opened in the first quarter of the calendar year, with deadlines falling in spring or early summer. Funding start dates generally follow several months after the deadline, allowing time for the expert panel evaluation process.
Applicants are strongly advised to:
Register on the myFCT portal well in advance of any anticipated deadline
Monitor the official FCT website regularly for call announcements
Prepare their research proposal and CV in draft form before the call opens, so they can finalize and submit promptly
Allow at least 4–6 weeks for refining the research work plan, gathering supporting documents, and securing institutional confirmation
Life as a Scholar
Holding an FCT PhD Studentship means being embedded in Portugal's growing and internationally connected research community. Scholars enjoy access to modern laboratory and research facilities, engaged supervisory relationships, and a vibrant academic culture that values intellectual openness and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Living in Portugal offers an exceptional quality of life. The country is consistently recognized as one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in Europe, with a temperate climate, affordable cost of living relative to much of Western Europe, and a rich cultural heritage spanning literature, music, architecture, and gastronomy. Cities such as Lisbon and Porto have become increasingly cosmopolitan, with dynamic international student and researcher communities.
FCT scholars are supported in attending national and international conferences, which provides valuable exposure to the global research community and opportunities to present findings, receive feedback, and establish collaborative relationships. The European dimension of the PESSOAS 2030 co-funding also connects FCT researchers to broader EU research networks, opening doors to future Horizon Europe and Marie Skłodowska-Curie opportunities.
For international scholars relocating to Portugal, most universities offer orientation services, language courses, and practical support with administrative processes such as residency registration and banking.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can international students outside the EU apply for FCT PhD Studentships?
Yes. The program explicitly welcomes students from all countries worldwide, including third-country nationals, stateless persons, and individuals with refugee status. Nationality is not a barrier to application.
2. Do I need to have a supervisor or host institution confirmed before applying?
While not always a hard requirement, having an identified supervisor and host institution significantly strengthens the Hosting Conditions criterion, which accounts for 30% of your final score. It is strongly recommended to secure this before submitting.
3. Can the FCT studentship fund research conducted partly outside Portugal?
Yes, research stays abroad are possible. However, if the research is to be conducted partially or fully outside Portugal, the applicant must be a habitual and permanent resident of Portugal at the time of application.
4. What is the minimum score required to receive funding?
Applications must achieve a final score of at least 3.0 out of 5.0 across the three evaluation criteria. Applications scoring below this threshold are not eligible for funding regardless of other considerations.
5. Is the studentship renewable?
Yes. FCT studentships are typically awarded for an initial period and renewed annually, subject to satisfactory research progress, up to the maximum funded duration of the program (generally four years for a full PhD).
6. Can I apply if I am already enrolled in a PhD program?
Yes. Candidates who are already enrolled in a PhD program are eligible to apply, provided they have not previously received an FCT-funded PhD studentship and do not yet hold a doctoral degree.
Final Thoughts
The FCT PhD Studentships program is a genuinely exceptional opportunity for doctoral researchers who want to pursue high-quality, fully funded research in one of Europe's most welcoming and culturally rich countries. Its openness to all nationalities and all disciplines, combined with a transparent merit-based evaluation process and a comprehensive financial support package, makes it stand out among European doctoral funding programs. If you have a compelling research idea, a strong academic record, and the drive to contribute meaningfully to your field, FCT offers the structure and resources to make that contribution a reality. Begin your preparation early, invest deeply in your research proposal, and take this opportunity to build a doctoral career with European reach and global impact.
About This Scholarship
The FCT PhD Studentships program, administered by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) — Portugal's national funding agency for science and technology — offers fully funded doctoral scholarships to candidates from all nationalities who wish to pursue research-based PhD programs in Portugal or abroad. The program is open to all scientific disciplines, including science and technology, engineering, health and medical sciences, social sciences, natural sciences, environmental sciences, humanities, data science, and artificial intelligence. Financial support includes a monthly living stipend, tuition fee coverage, research funding, conference support, personal accident insurance, and travel or relocation costs where applicable. The program is co-funded by the Portuguese government and the European Social Fund under the PESSOAS 2030 Program. Applications are evaluated by expert scientific panels across three criteria: Merit of the Applicant (30%), Merit of the Research Work Plan (40%), and Merit of the Hosting Conditions (30%). A minimum final score of 3.0 out of 5.0 is required for funding eligibility. Candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree and must not have previously received an FCT PhD studentship. Applications are submitted exclusively through the myFCT online portal under the Regular Line of Application.
Eligible Study Levels
PhD
Fields of Study
Science and TechnologyEngineeringHealth and Medical SciencesSocial SciencesNatural SciencesEnvironmental SciencesHumanitiesData ScienceArtificial Intelligence
Available Countries
All countries worldwide
Eligibility Requirements
Must be enrolled or eligible to enroll in a PhD program
Must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of application
Must not have previously received an FCT-funded PhD studentship
If research is conducted partially or fully abroad, applicant must live in Portugal on a permanent and habitual basis
Open to Portuguese citizens
Open to citizens of European Union member states
Open to international students from third countries
Open to stateless applicants
Open to applicants with political refugee status
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: Evaluated on academic performance and professional background as part of Merit of the Applicant criterion (30% of final score); minimum overall score of 3.0 out of 5.0 required for funding
Application Process
1Visit the official FCT application platform at fct.pt
2Create or log in to your myFCT account
3Select the PhD Studentships – Regular Line of Application
4Complete the online application form in full
5Upload all required documents including CV, research proposal, and academic records
6Submit the application before the announced deadline — applications through other platforms or methods are not accepted
Required Documents
Online Application Form*Required
Completed official FCT PhD Studentships application form via myFCT portal
Curriculum Vitae (CV)*Required
Detailed academic and professional CV of the applicant
Research Proposal*Required
Detailed work plan describing the proposed research project, methodology, and expected impact
Academic Records and Transcripts*Required
Official transcripts and certificates from all previous higher education studies
Partner Universities
University of Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal
University of Porto
Porto, Portugal
University of Coimbra
Coimbra, Portugal
NOVA University Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal
University of Minho
Braga, Portugal
Additional Benefits
Monthly stipend for living expenses
Coverage of tuition fees
Funding for research activities
Support for attending scientific conferences
Personal accident insurance
Travel and relocation costs (if applicable)
Support for additional academic training
Co-funded by the European Social Fund under the PESSOAS 2030 Program
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