Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (Leiria/Portugal) - Merit Award of the Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES)

What you get

You will receive a one-off cash grant of five times the Portuguese national minimum monthly wage, which is paid at the start of the academic year. There is no fixed amount in euros, as this rises in line with the minimum wage. It is paid as a one-off payment for the year in which you became eligible. Award is based solely on your grades, so your income is not a factor. The grant is administered at national level by the Portuguese Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES), the state authority responsible for higher education. It is paid out by your university, the Universidade de Leiria e Oeste (formerly the Instituto Politécnico de Leiria).

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at the Universidade de Leiria e Oeste in Portugal.
• Degree level: You are studying for a Bachelor’s degree (Licenciatura).
• Field of study: All subjects are eligible.
• Grades: In the past academic year, you passed all the modules on your year group’s programme, achieving an average mark of at least 16 out of 20 (‘Very Good’).
• Financial need: Not required. Your income will never be checked.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

How to apply

You do not need to apply yourself. Your university will select eligible students on the basis of their academic performance and submit their details to the DGES. There is no form for you to fill in, and no deadline you need to meet.

How realistic are your chances?

For 2023/2024, a maximum of 26 merit-based scholarships have been allocated to the Instituto Politécnico de Leiria for all its degree programmes. The DGES sets a new quota each year, and the scholarships are awarded to the highest-achieving students who meet the required grade threshold.

Our guide Scholarships in Portugal brings together further funding options for students pursuing their studies in Portugal.