Directorate-General for Higher Education - Merit Award of the Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES)

Benefit

For outstanding grades achieved over the course of an academic year, you will receive a one-off cash prize. The Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) in Portugal sets the amount each year, so no fixed sum is announced in advance. The DGES also decides each year on the number of scholarships to be awarded. The scholarship is awarded solely on the basis of academic merit; your family’s income is not taken into account.

Eligibility

• University: You’re studying at ISPA – Instituto Universitário in Lisbon.
• Degree level: You are enrolled on a Bachelor’s degree programme (Licenciatura), a Master’s degree programme or an integrated Master’s degree programme.
• Grades: In the past academic year, you passed all the modules you were enrolled on, achieving a grade point average of at least 16 out of 20 (‘Very Good’).
• Top of the list: The prizes go to the students with the highest averages. Usually only 1 prize per course per year, plus 1 for all final-year master's students combined.
• Field of study: All subjects taught at the ISPA are eligible for this.
• Financial need: Not required. Your income will not be taken into account.

How to apply

You do not need to apply. The ISPA automatically reviews the academic performance of all students and publishes a list of eligible students on its website and on noticeboards. If you believe you have been wrongly omitted from the list, you may lodge an appeal with the ISPA’s Student Welfare Department within 10 working days of the list being published. The Vice-Chancellor will then make the decision. ISPA will subsequently publish the final list of award winners and present the awards at a public ceremony.

If you want to explore further funding options beyond this merit-based prize, our guide Scholarships in Portugal brings together additional scholarships and financial support across Portugal.