About This Opportunity

FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) is Portugal's national research funding agency, offering scholarships and research grants to support postgraduate study and research at Portuguese universities and research centres. FCT's scholarship programmes are open to both national and international applicants — including students from Africa — and cover Master's, PhD, and postdoctoral levels across a wide range of scientific and academic fields.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Hold a relevant Bachelor's degree (for Master's scholarships) or Master's degree (for PhD scholarships)
  • Apply to or be enrolled in a programme at a Portuguese university or research institution
  • Strong academic record and, for PhD applicants, a clear research proposal aligned with a Portuguese host researcher's work
  • Open to international applicants in most FCT funding calls, though eligibility varies by specific programme

What You Get / Benefits

  • Monthly stipend to cover living costs during your studies or research stay in Portugal
  • For PhD scholars, funding typically covers the full duration of the doctoral programme
  • Access to Portugal's growing research infrastructure and European research networks

How to Apply

  • Visit fct.pt and review current open scholarship and funding calls relevant to your level and field
  • Identify a Portuguese host supervisor or research unit if you are applying for a research-focused award
  • Prepare your application — research proposal, transcripts, CV, and references
  • Submit through FCT's online platform during an open application call

    • Tips

    • FCT runs multiple funding calls throughout the year across different schemes — check fct.pt regularly for open calls relevant to your level (Master's, PhD, or postdoc) and field.
    • Portugal is increasingly English-friendly at the postgraduate level, particularly in STEM fields — many PhD programmes and research groups operate primarily in English.
    • Portugal's cost of living is among the lowest in Western Europe, meaning FCT's monthly stipend goes considerably further here than in countries like Germany, Switzerland, or the UK.

    ⏰ Deadline varies by call — FCT runs multiple annual calls with different deadlines. Monitor fct.pt regularly and apply as soon as a relevant call opens.