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

What you get

You get a one-off merit grant for one academic year. It equals five times the Portuguese national monthly minimum wage in force at the start of that year. In 2024 the minimum wage was 870 EUR per month, so the grant works out to about 4,350 EUR. The money helps cover your course costs, such as tuition and enrolment fees. The Ministry responsible for higher education pays it in full. The Polytechnic University of Castelo Branco (formerly Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, IPCB) awards it each year to students with top grades.

Who can apply

• University: You are enrolled at the Polytechnic University of Castelo Branco in Portugal.
• Level: You are studying for a Bachelor’s degree (Licenciatura), a Master’s degree (Mestrado), a technological specialisation programme (CET) or an advanced vocational technical programme (CTeSP).
• Full pass: You passed all the modules in your degree programme last academic year.
• Grades: Your average mark in these subjects is at least 16 out of 20 (‘Muito Bom’, Very Good).
• Field of study: Every subject taught at the university.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Income: Your family’s income doesn’t matter. It’s your achievements that count.

How to apply

You do not apply. The university's Merit Scholarship Commission checks who meets the criteria and ranks the eligible students. The President of the university then awards the grants. At least one grant goes to each school of the university, and the rest go to the top-ranked students overall. If more students qualify than there are grants, the higher average decides. A draw settles any remaining tie.

Our guide Scholarships in Portugal lists further grants and funding options you could combine with this merit award.