FCT Mobility Programme: Funding for International Research Exchanges in Portugal


FCT Mobility Programme: Funding for International Research Exchanges in Portugal

The FCT Mobility Programme, launched by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) in Portugal, supports the international mobility of PhD researchers through medium- and long-term research stays. The programme funds research and/or fieldwork activities to strengthen international scientific cooperation.

Programme Structure

The programme offers two funding modalities:

  • FCT Mobility Outgoing
    For researchers affiliated with Portuguese institutions to undertake research in foreign institutions, for 2 to 11 consecutive months.
  • FCT Mobility Incoming
    For foreign researchers (including Malta-based researchers) to conduct joint scientific activities in Portugal, for 1 to 3 consecutive months.
    Applications for this stream must be submitted by the Portuguese hosting researcher.

Eligibility

Applications must be submitted by researchers who:

  • Are integrated members of Portuguese Research Units, or
  • Have a contractual relationship with an Associated Laboratory in Portugal.

 

Foreign researchers (e.g. Malta-based researchers) can participate as visiting researchers under the incoming modality, but cannot submit the application themselves. The Portuguese partner must act as the applicant.

How to Apply

  • Applications are open from 7 November 2024 until 31 December 2025, 17:00 (Portugal time), or until the allocated funds are exhausted.
  • Submissions must be made in English via the online application form by the Portuguese Researcher:
    FCT Mobility Application Form

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals are evaluated by international experts based on the following criteria:

Outgoing Applications:
A) Merit of the applicant researcher
B) Merit of the work plan
C) Career development impact
D) Merit of host conditions

Incoming Applications:
A) Merit of the Portuguese applicant researcher
B) Merit of the work plan
C) Career development impact
E) Merit of the visiting researcher

Final Score Formula:
FC = 0.35 A + 0.25 B + 0.15 C + 0.25 (D or E)

Evaluations occur at least every three months. Provisional results are communicated within one month of each evaluation round.

Funding Details

  • Maximum funding per mobility: €27,027
  • Total programme budget: €5,000,000 (funded under Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan - RRP)
  • Funding rate: 100% of eligible costs
  • Disbursed as a single payment at the start of the mobility
  • At least 185 mobilities are expected to be supported

Further Information

Questions about the programme can be directed to fct.mobility@fct.pt and more information can be found on the website: FCT Mobility Call - FCT

Information and logo source:

 

Organisation: 
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
Call Deadline: 
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Further Information:
External Link