Reference: PRT/574/2025_CEI
Application deadline: 23-03-2026 to 24-06-2026
Duration: 48 meses
Starts:
Summary
The Centre for International Studies (CEI-Iscte) at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon is accepting applications for 2 (two) Research Grants, hereinafter referred to as Pioneer Research Grants (BI) for PhD in the area of International Studies, International Relations, African Studies, History and Social Sciences under the Regulamento de Bolsas de Investigação da FCT/ FCT Regulation for Studentships and Fellowships (RBI) and the Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação/Research Fellowship Holder Statute (EBI).
The grants will be funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) under the Collaboration Protocol between FCT and Iscte, within the scope of the PIONEER Alliance, for the Financing of the Multiannual Plan for Research Grants (BI) for PhD Students (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol), which aims to enhance the creation of synergies and the sharing of research environments between Iscte and the Alliance’s partner Universities.
Submission of applications
O concurso está aberto entre 23 de março de 2026, às 9h00 (hora de Lisboa), e 24 de junho de 2026, às 23h59.
As candidaturas e os documentos de suporte à candidatura previstos no presente Aviso de Abertura de Concurso devem ser submetidos, obrigatoriamente, na plataforma https://recrutamento.iscte-iul.pt/jobs/745.
Cada candidato poderá submeter apenas uma candidatura, sob pena de cancelamento de todas as candidaturas submetidas.
A prestação de falsas declarações ou a realização de atos de plágio por parte dos candidatos é motivo para cancelamento da candidatura sem prejuízo da adoção de outras medidas de natureza sancionatória.
O email de contacto para questões relacionadas com este concurso é o doutoramentos.cei@iscte-iul.pt.
Other details
The call is open from 23 March, 9.00 a.m. (Lisbon time) to 24 June 2026 11.59 p.m. (Lisbon time)
Applications and supporting documents foreseen in this Notice of the Call, must be submitted to Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon Recruitment platform: https://recrutamento.iscte-iul.pt/jobs.
Each candidate may submit only one application, under penalty of cancellation of all applications submitted.
False statements or plagiarism submitted by the candidates will lead to the cancellation of the application, without prejudice to the adoption of other sanctioning measures.
Contact email for questions regarding this call is: doutoramentos.cei@iscte-iul.pt.
TYPE AND DURATION OF THE GRANT
The Pioneer Research Grants (BI) for PhD students are intended to fund R&D activities carried out by students enrolled on a PhD programme at Iscte, aiming to consolidate their scientific training through the development of research work leading to the award of a PhD, awarded by Iscte, in the areas of R&D within the scope of the Centre for International Studies (CEI-Iscte).
The research activities leading to the award of the doctoral degree for the selected scholarship holders will take place at the Centre for International Studies (CEI-Iscte), which will be the host institution for the scholarship holders. The research must be in line with the strategy and activity plan of this R&D Unit, and carried out within the scope of one of the following associated PhD programmes, under a joint supervision regime including, in addition to the Iscte supervisor, a supervisor from one of the universities participating in the PIONEER initiative:
- PhD Programme in African Studies
- PhD Programme in International Studies
- PhD Programme in History, Security Studies and Defence
- PhD Programme in Transitions to Sustainability
The research grants are awarded on an annual basis and are renewable for up to a maximum of four years (48 months). It may not be awarded for a period of less than three consecutive months.
The research grant is of both in Portugal and abroad typology (tipologia mista), and the period of the work plan to be carried out at the foreign institution may not exceed 24 months.
WORK PLAN AND SCIENTIFIC ORIENTATION OF THE FELLOWSHIP
The work plan proposal should focus on the scope of CEI-Iscte’s research groups (https://cei.iscte-iul.pt/en/research/research-groups/), and in line with the mission of the PIONEER Alliance (https://pioneer-alliance.eu/about-pioneer/mission-statement/), specifically in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 – Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, and covering at least one of the following topics: Sustainable and Resilient Cities; Digital Transition; Nature in the City; Mobility; Questioning urban transition; Vulnerability inclusion and Health in the city; Energy in the City. The work plan must also explicitly identify the PhD programme the candidate intends to join.
ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES
The Pioneer Research Grants for Doctoral Studies are intended for candidates who are enrolled, or who meet the necessary conditions to enrol, in one of the Doctoral Programmes listed in point 2 of this Notice of Call and who wish to conduct research activities leading to the award of a doctoral degree at the Centre for International Studies (CEI-Iscte).