FCT extends all directly Studentship contracts by one month

Due to the exceptional measures decreed by the Government in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, on March 13, which will certainly cause constraints on the research work being carried out under the various Studentship contracts, the FCT Board of Directors has decided to automatically extend the duration of all Studentship contracts that it directly funds and that are in force on March 13, 2020, by one month.

This period corresponds to the period of validity of the exceptional measures for the suspension of classroom and non-classroom activities, as determined by the Government (Article 9 of Decree-Law No. 10-A/2020, of March 13), which will be reassessed after April 9, 2020. Depending on the results of this assessment, the FCT will decide on a possible automatic extension for all Studentships. The scholarship holder retains all their rights during the extension period of the Studentship, namely the right to the monthly maintenance allowance, which will continue to be paid in full under the terms of the contract. 

For scholarship holders working abroad, the extension may be for a longer period, provided that the scholarship holder proves to the FCT that the foreign institution where the work plan is being carried out has been closed by the public health authorities of that country for a longer period. We ask scholarship recipients who are abroad to register at the following link, to inform the consular authorities of their situation:https://www.portaldascomunidades.mne.pt/pt/alertas/coronavirus-covid-22

Exceptional situations resulting from restrictions on movement or other measures, for example relating to travel to and from abroad, or interruption of mobility, must be reported to the FCT, which will analyze them on a case-by-case basis so that the scholarship holder and their research work are not adversely affected. 

FCT advises all scholarship recipients to adopt the preventive measures recommended by public health authorities and thanks all members of the scientific community for their efforts and commitment during this exceptional period we are all experiencing.