Application deadline for the “Doutor AP” Program extended until February 24, 2025

The deadline for applications forthe “Doutor AP” Program has been extended to February 24, 2025. “Doutor AP” aims to promote scientific research in the context of Public Administration by granting protected time for research projects and paying doctoral tuition fees. The FCT has decided to extend the application deadline for this new program to allow for greater interaction between all partners—applicants, public administration institutions, and academia—and consequently better preparation of applications, without prejudice to the start of doctoral studies in the 2025-26 academic year. Several clarification actions are currently being prepared.

Professionals from various areas of public administration, such as health, education, culture, justice, and central and local government, among many others, may benefit from this program. Grant agreements will have amaximum duration of six years. This edition provides for the award of up to 80 grants for workers employed in the public sector.

The program aims to promote a more resilient, innovative, and capable public sector to face current and emerging challenges in all sectors of society. It will enable workers to obtain a doctorate degree while aligning their work plans with the research and development strategies of the entities where they work.

The funding granted by FCT translates into:

• Protected Time Allowance, in addition to the employee's salary, corresponding to a percentage of a national Studentship , proportional to the reduction in working hours. Each doctoral student supported shall benefit from at least one year of protected time, at a percentage never less than 20% reduction in their working hours, in the first three years of support to be granted by the FCT.
• Training Grant, which covers registration, enrollment, and tuition fees for doctoral studies, up to a maximum amount of €2,750.00 per academic year.

The deadline for submitting applications is February 24, 2025 (5:00 p.m., mainland Portugal time). For more information, please visit the Call page.