Studentships in a non-academic environment

The FCT has opened a expression of interest for hosting doctoral students in non-academic institutions under the Call the Award of Studentships for Doctorates in all Scientific Fields 2023, whose Notice of the Call (General Application Line and Non-Academic Environment Application Line) is now available and applications will be accepted between March 1 and 31.

The list of non-academic entities that responded to the expression of interest is now available for consultation and is constantly being updated.

In this Call, work plans developed in close collaboration with non-academic entities are particularly relevant, as these entities will host the scholarship recipients for a considerable part of their work leading to the doctoral degree.

The various host settings that this line of work enables should include at least one non-academic reception institution and one academic host institution, as well as a scientific advisor from each of these institutions. 

What is meant by academic and non-academic entities?

• All entities involved in the production and dissemination of knowledge, whether national or international, are considered academic, including public and private higher education institutions, R&D units, Associate Laboratories, as well as other private non-profit institutions whose main purpose is R&D activities.  
• Non-academic host institutions are considered to be all entities not included in the academic environment, as characterized above. Examples include companies, collaborative laboratories, technology and innovation centers and other interface centers, public administration entities, state laboratories, hospitals, museums, libraries, regulatory entities, or third sector entities. In the case of R&D units or Associate Laboratories are also Technology and Innovation Centers, the classification of academic entity prevails.

What are the advantages for a doctoral student?

• Doctoral students will have the opportunity to receive advanced training in areas of major relevance, both for academia and for business, cultural, or public administration entities, among others, increasing employment opportunities after graduation;
• They will be scientifically guided by an interdisciplinary guidance team;
• Students will be able to enjoy international stays and participate in national and international events, providing them with the necessary contacts to develop professionally in their chosen field of work.

 What are the advantages for non-academic entities?

• Non-academic entities (NAEs) will have the opportunity to host high-profile scientific researchers at the forefront of research, who can contribute to solving specific problems faced by these entities, whether scientifically relevant or involving a significant level of innovation.
• ENAs can attract talent and train their teams, improving their competitiveness and internationalization.
• They will be able to develop a strategic project for the entity, in close collaboration with an academic entity.
• The teams established in this context could be instrumental in developing future funding proposals at the international, national, and regional levels.
• Implies a commitment to co-supervise the implementation of the work plan in the respective host institutions. This funding instrument does not involve any costs for entities joining the program, whether academic or non-academic.

 What are the advantages for academic institutions?

• Solidify and enhance collaborations and the transfer of knowledge and technology to the business community and/or public administration sectors;
• Offer diverse training in science, technology, and innovation.
• Nuclear interdisciplinary and intersectoral teams for the submission of scientific projects to national and international funding agencies.

 I am a non-academic entity. How do I find a potential candidate?

• Entities wishing to benefit from this public policy for promoting and mobilizing scientific research in non-academic environments, and seeking a suitable candidate, are invited to submit their expression of interest using this form (access here). The information entered will subsequently be published on the FCT website, thereby reaching potential candidates. All applications will be evaluated competitively. Candidates may submit applications for this line of funding in other areas and with other entities that are not included in the updated list of this expression of interest. This expression of interest is optional. 
• You can contact an academic institution and/or potential students directly, expressing your interest in hosting a doctoral student and addressing the specific problem that is the focus of the research to be carried out.

 I am a potential candidate. How do I find a non-academic host institution?

• You can consult the list of non-academic entities (see here) that have expressed interest in hosting a doctoral student and discuss potential work plans with the contact point provided;
• You may contact a non-academic entity of interest to you directly;
• You should contact a potential academic advisor directly and, together, draw up a work plan with a non-academic entity.

How to apply?

• Applications are submitted by the student, with the support of at least one academic and one non-academic entity;
• Applications are submitted under the 2023 Call for Studentships , specifically in the area of Studentships non-academic environments. For details, please refer to the Call page.
• Applications must be submitted between March 1 and March 31, 2023.

For more information and a complete list of frequently asked questions, please refer to the Call page.