Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT) PhD Studentships 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
If you're aiming to pursue a doctoral degree with comprehensive funding, the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT) has announced its 2025 Call for PhD Studentships under the Regular Line of Application. This initiative seeks to support outstanding research projects across all scientific disciplines, facilitating the attainment of doctoral degrees in both academic and scientific settings. Details in this article.
FCT PhD Studentships Summary
Location: Portugal (with possibilities for international research)
Host Institution: Various academic and scientific institutions
Study Level: PhD (Doctoral degree)
Target Group: Individuals meeting PhD program enrollment criteria
Fields of Study: All scientific areas
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Award Duration: Up to four years
Application Deadline: April 16, 2025, 5:00 pm (Lisbon time)
Start Date: As per the academic calendar of the host institution
Eligible to: Portuguese citizens, EU citizens, citizens from third-party states, stateless individuals, and political refugees
FCT PhD Studentships Overview
The FCT PhD Studentships are designed to finance research activities leading to a doctoral degree. These studentships are open to candidates who are either enrolled or meet the requirements to enroll in a PhD program, intending to conduct research in any academic institution, whether national or international. Eligible institutions include public and private higher education institutions, R&D units, Associated Laboratories, and other private non-profit institutions dedicated to R&D activities.
Financial Arrangements and Benefits
Monthly maintenance allowance in accordance with FCT's Research Studentship and Fellowship Regulation (RBI).
Tuition fee coverage at the host institution
Funding for additional training and participation in scientific events
Personal accident insurance
Travel and relocation expenses, if applicable
Eligibility Criteria
Must not have previously received any FCT-funded PhD studentship or PhD in Industry studentship.
Should not hold a doctoral degree.
For studentships involving research abroad, applicants must reside permanently or habitually in Portugal.
Application Procedure
1. Preparation:
Develop a detailed research work plan.
Identify and confirm a supervisor affiliated with the chosen host institution.
2. Submission:
Complete the online application form available at (https://myfct.fct.pt), selecting the regular line of application.
Upload all required supporting documents as specified in the FCT Regulation for Studentships and Fellowships (RBI) and the Notice of the Call.
3. Deadline:
Ensure submission by April 16, 2025, 5:00 pm (Lisbon time). Late applications will not be considered.
📂 Documents Required:
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Academic transcripts and certificates
Research work plan
Motivation letter
Supervisor's support letter
Proof of enrollment or eligibility to enroll in a PhD program
Evaluation Process:
Applications will be assessed by panels of experts based on three main criteria:
Merit of the Applicant (30%): Evaluated through academic achievements and personal curriculum vitae.
Merit of the Work Plan (40%): Assessed based on the quality, relevance, and feasibility of the proposed research.
Merit of the Hosting Conditions (30%): Considered through the support and resources provided by the host institution.
Each criterion is scored on a scale from 0.000 (minimum) to 5.000 (maximum). Applications receiving a final score below 3.000 are not eligible for funding.
Additional Information:
Funding Sources: The studentships are financed by FCT using funds from the State Budget and, when eligible, funds from the European Social Fund (ESF) under the Program Demografia, Qualificações e Inclusão (PDQI).
Contracting Procedures: From this call onwards, the responsibility for contracting and management of PhD studentships lies with the contracting institution indicated by the candidate in the application form.
Results Disclosure: Provisional results are expected to be published within 90 working days after the application deadline, anticipated in the first week of August 2025.
📂 Resources (PDF)
🔗 OFFICIAL CALL LINK
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