FCT Pioneer Research Grants

The Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-Iscte) at ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa announces the opening of the Pioneer Research Grants for PhD students. This call offers six research grants (BI) for PhD candidates in the fields of Sociology, Social Work, Public Policy, Political Science, Communication Sciences, and Modern and Contemporary History. The grants are funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) under the PIONEER Alliance, supporting the Multiannual Plan for Research Grants for PhD students. The initiative aims to foster collaboration and synergy between ISCTE and partner universities, providing a vibrant research environment in Lisbon, Portugal.

Successful applicants will join CIES-Iscte, a leading research centre in social sciences, and benefit from the resources and expertise of ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon. The grants are governed by the FCT Studentships Regulations (RBI) and the FCT Research Fellows Statute (EBI), ensuring comprehensive support for doctoral research. The funding covers research activities and is designed to enhance the academic and professional development of PhD students.

Eligibility requires a Bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. The call is open to candidates interested in pursuing doctoral research in the specified areas. There are no explicit requirements regarding GPA or language proficiency tests. The application deadline is 24 June 2026, and the grants will commence on 23 March 2026.

To apply, candidates should submit their applications through the ISCTE recruitment portal. Detailed information about the programme, eligibility, and application procedures can be found on the ISCTE website. The Pioneer Research Grants represent a unique opportunity for aspiring researchers to advance their academic careers in a dynamic and supportive environment.

For further details, visit ISCTE recruitment portal or ISCTE official website. The position link is available at Euraxess.