FCT PhD Studentships 2026-2027 Portugal (Fully Funded) | Monthly Stipend & Application Guide

The FCT PhD Studentships 2026-2027 (Bolsas de Investigação para Doutoramento) are prestigious, fully funded doctoral research grants awarded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia – FCT) under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education. Open to both domestic and international researchers across all nationalities, this program supports up to 4 years (48 months) of doctoral research at leading Portuguese universities and certified research centers. The award fully covers 100% of doctoral tuition fees, provides a tax-free monthly living stipend of €1,259.64 (national track) or up to €1,800+ (mixed/international track), and includes voluntary social insurance, installation grants, and travel support. Applications are submitted electronically via the official myFCT portal.

Complete Financial Benefits & Monthly Allowance Breakdown

Selected doctoral fellows under the FCT PhD Studentship call receive comprehensive scientific and financial support:

• 100% Tuition & University Registration Waiver: FCT pays full doctoral tuition fees directly to the host Portuguese university for up to 48 months.
• Tax-Free Monthly Living Allowance: A monthly maintenance stipend of €1,259.64 for research carried out in Portugal (National track), or up to €1,800+ per month for periods spent at foreign partner research institutions (Mixed track).
• Voluntary Social Insurance (SSV): Comprehensive social security coverage, healthcare support, and occupational accident insurance funded directly by FCT.
• Installation & Relocation Allowance: A one-time relocation grant of up to €1,000 for foreign researchers moving to Portugal to establish residence.
• Conference & Travel Grant: Annual scientific travel allowances to attend international conferences, seminars, and fieldwork related to the doctoral research thesis.

Research Modalities & Eligible Fields of Study

FCT studentships are available across all scientific domains (Exact Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities):

• 1. National Studentships: Research carried out entirely at Portuguese universities and accredited R&D research units.
• 2. Mixed Studentships: Research plan distributed between a Portuguese host institution and a foreign university/laboratory (up to 2 years abroad).
• 3. International Studentships: Research conducted exclusively at foreign institutions (available primarily to Portuguese citizens or permanent residents).

Mandatory Eligibility Criteria for International Candidates

To qualify for the 2026-2027 FCT PhD research call, candidates must meet the following baseline requirements:

• Academic Qualifications: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s and an accredited Master’s degree (or equivalent 300 ECTS credits) in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Nationality: Open to candidates of any nationality; foreign nationals are fully eligible to apply for National and Mixed tracks.
• Research Plan & Host Unit: Applicants must formulate an original doctoral research proposal and secure a formal host agreement from an FCT-accredited Portuguese R&D Research Center.
• Supervisor Endorsement: At least one certified supervisor associated with a Portuguese higher education institution or R&D center must endorse the research plan and commit to supervision.

Can You Apply for FCT Portugal PhD Without IELTS? (Language Policy)

Yes, international candidates can apply for the FCT PhD studentship without an IELTS or TOEFL certificate. FCT does not centrally demand a standardized English exam score. However, since the research proposal, publications, and thesis defense are conducted predominantly in English or Portuguese, your prospective supervisor and host university must confirm your language competency. If your previous degree was taught in English, an English Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your former institution is generally accepted for university doctoral admission.

The 3 Pillars of FCT Application Evaluation

FCT applications are strictly peer-reviewed by international scientific evaluation panels based on three core evaluation criteria:

• Criterion A (Merit of the Candidate): Academic GPA, published research papers, peer-reviewed conference proceedings, and CV strength documented on CIÊNCIAVITAE (Weighted at 30%–40%).
• Criterion B (Merit of the Work Plan): Relevance, scientific originality, feasibility, and methodology of the proposed doctoral research project (Weighted at 30%–40%).
• Criterion C (Merit of the Host Conditions): Scientific excellence and track record of the host R&D research unit and supervisory team (Weighted at 20%–30%).

Step-by-Step Online Application Procedure via myFCT

1. Create a CIÊNCIAVITAE Profile: Build your standardized electronic curriculum vitae on the official platform (cienciavitae.pt).
2. Connect with a Host Institution: Reach out to professors and research directors at Portuguese R&D units to secure supervisory acceptance.
3. Access myFCT: Create an account on the myFCT portal (myfct.fct.pt) and link your CIÊNCIAVITAE CV.
4. Upload Research Proposal: Detail the state of the art, methodology, timeline, and ethical considerations of your work plan.
5. Supervisor Confirmation: Ensure your supervisors and host institution digitally validate their participation before the application closing deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FCT PhD Studentships FAQs)