Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation - Scholarship for a PhD in Portuguese Culture at a Portuguese University for foreign students

What you get

As a PhD student, you will receive monthly allowance of 1,500 EUR, or 2,000 EUR if you have already completed your PhD. You will also receive a one-off payment of 1,000 EUR to cover travel and settling-in costs, as well as private travel accident insurance. The scholarship runs for 2 to 10 months and cannot be extended. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon is funding this research project. You will be based in Portugal, working on the topic of Portuguese culture with the aim of writing a scholarly article, a publication or a research paper – or part thereof.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a PhD student or have already completed your PhD. Bachelor’s and Master’s students are not eligible to apply.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, with the exception of Portuguese nationals.
• Where you live: You are living abroad at the time of application. If you are already living in Portugal or conducting research there, you are not eligible to apply.
• Field of study: Your research is on Portuguese culture, in History, Art History or Literature.
• Where you research: PhD students are working at a Portuguese university. Those who have completed their PhDs are working at a Portuguese research or study centre.
• Host confirmation: You already have access to your host institution in Portugal. If you are a PhD student, you will also need a letter from a supervisor in Portugal who approves your research plan and agrees to supervise you.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the MyGulbenkian portal, where you will first need to register. The application period runs from 3 November 2025 (10:00) until 31 January 2026 (15:00, Lisbon time) for the academic year 2026/2027. You must submit your academic transcripts, your CV, a study plan and a personal statement. An independent panel will make the decision, and you will be notified of the result within 90 days of the application deadline.

If you are exploring further funding options for research in Portugal, our guide Scholarships in Portugal brings together additional opportunities worth considering.