Skip to main content

Impact of FCT funding on research careers in Portugal

Study/Survey

FCT has analyzed the career paths of 5,800 former doctoral fellows, whose Studentships began between 1995 and 2012, at various points after obtaining their degree. This analysis gave rise to the study "Impact of FCT funding on research careers in Portugal - professional trajectories of former FCT doctoral fellows", which aims to contribute to a broad perspective on the situation of doctoral graduates funded by FCT.

The success rate is one of the conclusions that should be highlighted: the percentage of scholarship holders who obtained a degree is over 88%, a high figure and comparable with other European Union countries. The percentage of scholarship holders who obtained a degree is slightly higher among women, as well as among younger scholarship holders at the start of the Studentship.

The study also concludes that, overall, 60% of former PhD studentship holders were involved in R&D in the National Science and Technology System (SNCT). Five years after obtaining their degree, 65% were teachers/researchers and 29% were scholarship holders, but the professional situation varies markedly depending on the date the Studentship began and the time elapsed after the degree. The majority of doctoral graduates who did an FCT Studentship in the 1990s are currently teachers (75%). The data also shows that, among SNCT doctoral graduates, the now-defunct post-doctoralStudentships and the current Scientific Employment Stimulus Program (both promoted by the FCT) play a key role in the transition of doctoral graduates to teaching or research positions. The majority (90%) of former FCT grantees have R&D activities in the Higher Education sector, which is in line with the SNCT as a whole.

In Portugal, the most recent figures from the DGEEC's Careers of Doctorate Holders (CDH) survey (for 2020) show that the unemployment rate for doctorate holders is very low (2%). More than 80% of the total number of doctorate holders resident in our country carried out R&D activities: 68% of whom had a permanent contract and 32% of whom had a fixed-term contract.

The granting of Studentships through periodic Calls is one of FCT's core activities, particularly doctoral Studentships , and is essential for the expansion of SNCT. Since its creation in 1997, FCT has awarded more than 30,000 Studentships, an investment made through the State Budget and European Structural Funds that exceeds 2.3 billion euros and corresponds to around 30% of FCT's total investment. This investment in advanced training has resulted in a very significant increase in the number of doctorates awarded in Portugal, with a cumulative number of over 35,000 in 2021, plus doctorates awarded abroad and recognized in the country.

The results of the study "Impact of FCT funding on research careers in Portugal - professional trajectories of former FCT doctoral fellows" are available in two documents, the final report and a summary of the main results.

FCT President Madalena Alves said:

"This work has helped to fill the information gap on the impact of FCT funding on doctoral training, since there was no analysis of the success of FCT-funded scholarship holders in obtaining a doctoral degree, nor of their subsequent career paths. The growing maturity and attractiveness of the SNCT is evident, illustrated by the existence of fewer Studentships exclusively abroad, greater international and national cooperation, and more foreign students. The results show an efficient use of public funds, including European structural funds, with high degree success rates comparable to those of other EU countries."