Applications are now open for the Studentships Call

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) has opened applications for Call Studentships for Doctorates in all Scientific Fields 2025, in the General Line and inNon-Academic Environments. Applications close on April 16, 2025.

In total, 1,550 Studentships will be awarded, 100 more than in the Call , representing a total investment of €133 million. Of this, €85.8 million will be allocated to the 1,000 Studentships be awarded in the General Application Line and €47.2 million to the 550 Studentships be awarded in the Non-Academic Environment Application Line.

The 2025 edition presents a substantial change in relation to the future contracting and management of Studentships for funding, as these processes will no longer be centralized at the FCT and will now be handled by the institutions of the National Scientific System. This model follows the trends of similar European institutions and is similar to that existing Calls Scientific Calls . This allows for greater proximity between institutions and their doctoral students, making interactions more fluid and strengthening their relationship from a perspective of mutual trust.

This will be the fourth edition of Call Studentships Call a line for Non-Academic Environment, which will continue to support PhDs in close collaboration with civil society entities, such as companies, museums, hospitals, associations, and non-governmental organizations.

The period for expressions of interest remains open for non-academic entities wishing to host doctoral students. The list of institutions can be consulted on the FCT website, which allows for more direct interaction with the contact point of each institution, with a view to preparing a work plan aimed at a possible application.

Currently, more than 7,000 Studentships are being funded directly by the FCT, of which around 1,500 are in a non-academic environment. The non-academic line complements other FCT funding instruments that encourage the strengthening of internal public administration skills, such as Doutor AP, and support the definition and implementation of its research strategies and priorities, involving different areas of government.

PhD Studentships are intended for candidates who are enrolled, or who meet the necessary conditions to enroll, in a course of study leading to a doctoral degree and who wish to carry out research activities leading to the award of that degree.