Offer Description Notice of the 5th Edition of the Call for Doctoral Research Scholarships.The Consortium of Natural Sciences and Biodiversity Schools (CEBiCNa) is opening a call to award 20 research scholarships in the areas of Natural Sciences and Biodiversity, under the FCT Research Grants Regulation (RBI) and the Research Grant Holder Statute (EBI).The grants will be funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the Collaboration Protocol signed between FCT and the Consortium of Natural Sciences and Biodiversity Schools (CEBiCNa), within the scope of the Ciencia LP, Category 2 Centre, under the auspices of UNESCO, in the area corresponding to Biology.1. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONSThe call is open from 10 February until 23:00 (Lisbon time) on 26 April 2026.Applications must be submitted on the online platform. Each candidate may submit only one application. False statements or plagiarism will lead to cancellation of the application.2. TYPE AND DURATION OF SCHOLARSHIPSThe PhD research scholarships are intended to finance research activities leading to a doctoral degree in the Natural Sciences and Biodiversity Schools of the Portuguese CEBiCNa member universities (FCTUC, FCUP, FCUL, FCT UAc and UMa-FCV), under the scope of the following Doctoral Programmes:Doctoral Program in Biosciences (FCTUC)Doctoral Program in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution (FCUP and FCUL)PhD in Biology (FCT UAc)PhD in Biological Sciences (UMa-FCV)Scholarships are primarily one year in length, renewable for up to a maximum of four years (48 months). No scholarship shall be awarded for less than three consecutive months.3. RECIPIENTS OF THE SCHOLARSHIPSEligible recipients are current or prospective doctoral students enrolled or eligible for enrolment in one of the listed Doctoral Programmes. Candidates should hold a master's or bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences, Biodiversity, Biology, or related areas, preferably with a 5‐year degree plan.4. ADMISSIBILITY4.1 Candidate Eligibility RequirementsNationals of Portuguese‐speaking African countries or East Timor are eligible to apply.Candidate must hold a bachelor's or master's degree in the relevant fields or in related areas such as Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Engineering, etc.Candidate must not have benefited from a doctoral or company doctoral scholarship directly funded by FCT.4.2 Admissibility Requirements for ApplicationsApplications must include the following documents:Identity card, citizen card, or passport details.Curriculum vitae submitted via the CIÊNCIAVITAE platform.Certificates of academic qualifications with final classification, or a declaration of honour if the degree is not yet issued.Recognition and conversion documents for foreign degrees, if applicable.Preliminary proposal for the work plan and timetable.Signed letter of motivation explaining research preferences and chosen consortium school.Two letters of recommendation, signed and stamped.All documents written in Portuguese.Academic degrees earned abroad must be recognised by the Directorate‐General for Higher Education or a Portuguese public institution before the contract is signed.5. WORK PLANS AND SCIENTIFIC ORIENTATION OF SCHOLARSHIPSWork plans may be readjusted later by supervisors.6. EVALUATION AND SELECTIONApplicants will be evaluated based on their academic record, motivation, research activity, and interview where applicable. Scores are weighted and candidates with a final score below 70 points are not recommended.7. AWARD AND FINANCINGUpon contract signing, payments begin within 15 working days. Grants are funded by FCT, with possible contributions from the European Social Fund under PDQI. Grant holders receive personal accident insurance and may join the voluntary social insurance scheme.Number of offers available: 20Company/Institute: Consortium of Natural Sciences and Biodiversity Schools (CEBiCNa)Country: PortugalGeofield: Full‐time, 35 hours per week, temporary contract, starting date 10 February 2026.#J-18808-Ljbffr