Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES) Scholarship

Benefit

You will receive a grant you do not pay back, which is paid for a full academic year. It is intended to cover the costs of your studies or a compulsory work placement. The amount is not fixed; it depends on your household’s financial situation, meaning that students with fewer resources receive more. If you are starting a higher education course for the first time and your family is classified in the highest bracket of the Portuguese child benefit scheme (Escalão A), you may also be eligible for a fixed amount of incentive grant of 1,075 EUR, provided you meet the other eligibility criteria. The funding is provided by the Portuguese government via the Directorate-General for Higher Education (Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior, DGES).

Eligibility

• Where you study: You are studying at a recognised higher education institution in Portugal, whether public or private.
• Field of study: Any subject is fine.
• Financial need: Your household income is below the official threshold. This is the main criterion.
• Enrolment stage: You can apply regardless of whether you are already enrolled or are still awaiting your enrolment.
• Disability: If you have a disability with an incapacity of 60% or more, you get special status. You can receive up to the full reference grant, plus housing and transport supplements.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the DGES BeOn platform. For 2026/2027, the application window runs from 14 August to 2 October 2026.

If you are weighing up your funding options in Portugal, our guide Scholarships in Portugal brings together further scholarships and grants available there.