Applications for the 6th edition of the CEEC Individual open today

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) opens today, April 4, the period for submitting applications for the 6th edition of the Call to Stimulate Individual Scientific Employment (CEEC Individual), which will run until May 8, 2023, at 17:00 Lisbon time. This Call is expected to hire 400 more PhD researchers under the Scientific Employment Regulation (REC).

The CEEC Individual is one of the tools created by the FCT in 2017, following the publication of Decree-Law no. 57/2016, with the aim of stimulating scientific and technological employment in all areas of knowledge by funding the hiring of researchers. It consists of an annual Call , which directly supports the hiring of PhD researchers in all scientific areas, who wish to carry out their scientific research or technological development activities in Portugal, in the institutions that make up the National Science and Technology System (SNCT).

CEEC Individual contracts last up to 6 years and, in this edition, are awarded according to three categories:
-Junior researcher - PhD holders for 5 years or less, counted at the closing date of the application submission period, with reduced post-doctoral research experience in the scientific area to which they are applying;
-Assistant researcher - PhD holders for more than 5 years and less than 12 years, inclusive, as at the closing date of the application submission period, with a relevant curriculum vitae in the scientific area to which they are applying;
-Principal Investigator - PhD holders for more than 12 years, as at the closing date of the application submission period, with a relevant curriculum in the scientific area to which they are applying, demonstrating some scientific independence in the last 3 years.

This Call also includes changes from previous editions in order to continue strengthening evaluation processes that are more comprehensive and inclusive of the diversity of backgrounds and contributions of national researchers. With the RESTART program, FCT adopted a pilot initiative that includes a set of changes to the evaluation processes that it intends to implement in the future. As part of this process, and at the same time considering the size of this Call, FCT sought to ensure continuity with previous ECEC Calls , also signaling the path it will adopt next year in the different funding instruments. Modifications have also been included as part of the current effort to simplify procedures for submitting and evaluating applications.

In the five editions of the CEEC Individual that have already been completed, the FCT has awarded a total of 1900 contracts to doctoral researchers, which will rise to 2300 after the conclusion of this new Call, which is now starting.

More information on the 6th edition of the Call Encourage Individual Scientific Employment.