Flowcharts on the awarding of research grants

• Opening od the call and publication (PDF, 322KB)
• Application, evaluation, selection and disclosure (PDF, 472KB)
• Contracting (PDF, 584KB)
• Renewal (PDF, 477KB)

FAQs

What are research grants intended for?

They support R&D activities carried out by higher education students, with the aim of stimulating advanced training and attracting students to research activities. They strengthen the connection between science and higher education, and promote scientific and technological education in research institutions that facilitate graduates’ entry into the specialized job market.

What are the admission requirements for each type of grant?

• Initiation Research Grants: applicants must be enrolled in a professional higher technical course, a bachelor’s degree, an integrated master’s degree, or a master’s degree, or hold a bachelor’s degree and be enrolled in a non-degree course. They must not have previously held a research grant directly or indirectly funded by FCT.
• Research Grants: applicants must be enrolled in an integrated master’s degree, a master’s degree, or a PhD, or hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree and be enrolled in a non-degree course. (For non-degree course students, the total accumulated duration of this type of grant, including renewals, must not exceed two years, consecutive or not.)
• Postdoctoral Research Grants: applicants must have completed their PhD within the three years prior to the application date; the postdoctoral research must take place in a host institution different from the one where the PhD research was conducted; no postdoctoral experience may be required for the research activities; the duration of the research activities must be three years or less; and the total accumulated duration of this type of grant, including renewals, must not exceed three years.

Do grant holders have personal accident insurance?

All grant holders benefit from personal accident insurance covering research activities, including travel abroad, funded by the financing entity.

• IST insurer: FIDELIDADE, Policy AG63985082
• IST-ID insurer: AÇOREANA , Policy 1400075518 (Açoreana) e 4765115 (Seguradoras Unidas)

What does the personal accident insurance cover?

• Death;
• Permanent disability;
• Temporary incapacity;
• Treatment expenses.

What should be done in case of an accident?

The grant holder must complete the participation form available at: https://drh.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/bolseiros/seguro-de-acidentes-pessoais/  ou https://ist-id.pt/documentos/bolsas-de-investigacao/  and submit it to the HR Department (DRH), together with supporting expense documentation for reimbursement.

Can grants be renewed?

Grants may be renewed for additional periods up to the maximum limit stated in the call notice or contract. They cannot be renewed beyond the limits established in the Regulation.

Renewals do not require signing a new contract and are communicated in writing to the grant holder.

How to proceed with the renewal of the grant?

The following forms must be submitted:

https://drh.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/bolseiros/formularios/  (for IST grants)

http://ist-id.pt/documentos/bolsas-de-investigacao/(for IST-ID grants)

Required documents:

• B2 – Research grant process
• B7 – Final budget allocation / commitment (must be submitted in Word format)
• Work plan
• Activity report

After completion and signature, documents must be sent to: bolsas@drh.tecnico.ulisboa.pt

What does the exclusive dedication regime consist of?

Grant holders must work under an exclusive dedication regime, as established in the Research Grant Holder Statute. They must ensure the feasibility of the work plan; otherwise, the grant may be denied or cancelled. This means they may not perform any other paid activity, public or private, including freelance work, except in the exceptional cases allowed by the Statute.

Is it possible to combine a grant contract with a teaching contract?

Os contratos de bolsa não geram relações de natureza jurídico-laboral nem de prestação de serviços, o/a bolseiro/a poderá prestar serviços docentes em instituições de ensino superior nos termos previstos na alínea h) do n.º 3 do artigo 5.º do EBI.

Can the work plan, supervisor, or host institution be changed?

The grant holder may change the objectives of the work plan with the agreement of the supervisors and host institutions.

Changes must be communicated to the funding entity, accompanied by statements from supervisors and host institutions.

Changes to the contracted duration, supervisors, or host institutions are only allowed in exceptional, duly justified circumstances.

What components can grants include?

Depending on the type of grant and the grant holder’s situation, a monthly maintenance allowance is awarded, with the amount varying depending on whether the activity is carried out in Portugal or abroad.

Grants may also include:

. Tuition or registration fees for grants associated with academic degrees, up to the maximum allowed

. Reimbursement of mandatory health insurance for foreign host institutions

. When the grant holder is not in the host country:

. One‑time travel allowance (pre‑established amount)

. One‑time installation allowance for stays of six or more consecutive months

Grant holders may also receive a one‑time allowance for participation in scientific meetings.

Note: No meal, holiday, Christmas, or other allowances are due unless explicitly stated in the Regulation or Statute.

Are grant amounts subject to income tax (IRS)?

No. Under the Scientific Research Grant Holder Statute, grant contracts do not create employment or service‑provision relationships and are therefore exempt from IRS.

How are grant payments processed?

Payments are made by bank transfer to the account provided by the grant holder.

Can the grant holder terminate the grant contract early?

Yes. The grant holder must submit the termination form indicating the desired termination date, notify the scientific supervisor at least 30 days in advance, and send the form to the HR Department (DRH) with confirmation from the responsible supervisor.