Session on the Impact of European Funding on Ph.D. Studentships s at the European Funds Fair

“What role should public funding for doctoral education play in the next cycle of research and innovation policies?” is the topic of a roundtable discussion as part of the European Funds Fair, which will take place November 3–5 at the Lisbon Congress Center (CCL), in an initiative organized by Portugal 2030.

The session, dedicated to the presentation and discussion of a study evaluating the impact of European funding on doctoral Studentships , will take place on November 5 at 10:00 a.m. The discussion will feature António Bob dos Santos, a member of the Board of Directors of the Agency for Research and Innovation (AI²). Based on the evaluation’s findings, the session will address the challenges and opportunities of public funding for advanced training and its contribution to research and innovation in Portugal. Those interested in attending the session can register at the European Funds Fair.

The European Funds Exhibition is a national initiative that showcases projects funded by European funds and provides information on how to access and utilize this support. It aims to bring these funds closer to businesses and the public, highlighting their impact on citizens’ lives and Portugal’s contribution to European objectives.

The study on the impact of support for doctoral Studentships , commissioned by the PESSOAS 2030 Program from EY-Parthenon, estimates that the awarding of Studentships increased, on average, by about 17.4 percentage points the probability of completing a doctoral degree. It also identifies positive contributions to scientific output and regional development.

Notable recommendations include improving coordination between Studentships and support for scientific employment, strengthening doctoral programs in non-academic settings, and simplifying procedures to ensure greater predictability in Calls and payments. The report also proposes a review of the financial and contractual conditions of Studentships, including social protection for scholarship recipients. This study is available for review on the PESSOAS 2030 website.