1350 PhD Studentships awarded in the 2019 Individual Call

The Foundation for Science and Technology today announced the results of the Call for PhD Studentships 2019, under which 1,350 Studentships will be awarded in all scientific areas, from among 3,333 individual applications evaluated.

The Studentships now awarded are intended for the development of research and development work plans associated with obtaining a doctoral degree, through Doctoral Programs at Portuguese or foreign Universities.

The applications were evaluated by 36 scientific panels that classified the applications and made the panel rankings. After this classification and seriation, the Call 's Scientific Coordination team defined the cut-off lines for each panel, taking into account the respective demand and the scientific policy guidelines for Portugal in the European context ("Higher Education, Research and Innovation in Portugal - Perspectives for 2030").

As of today, applicants have access to the comments justifying the classification given to their application and have up to 10 working days to present any arguments to the evaluation panel during the prior hearing of interested parties.

Analysis of the results now released shows that:

• 77% of the Studentships awarded refer to work plans carried out entirely in Portugal;
• 18% refer to mixed Studentships , with work plans to be carried out partly abroad; and 
• 5% refer to work plans carried out entirely abroad.

Women accounted for 59% of the successful candidates and men 41%. Of the candidates selected, 89% are Portuguese. In total, Studentships were awarded to candidates from 32 countries, including Portugal, with the most foreigners (11% of the total) being Brazilian (62 Studentships), Italian (26 Studentships), Iranian (10 Studentships) and Spanish (8 Studentships).

The Studentships awarded in this Call are in addition to the 250 or so Studentships awarded in FCT-funded PhD programs that are still underway, as well as Studentships awarded in other areas, such as partnerships or specific programs.

The next Call for PhD Studentships will open in 2020. As with the last two Calls, the application period will take place during the first quarter of the year, so that the results will be available before the start of the academic year.