Portugal Government Scholarship 2026-2027 – Closes 30 September 2026

The Portugal Government Scholarship (administered by DGES, the Directorate-General for Higher Education) is a fully funded award for international students — including applicants from across Africa — to pursue Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degrees at accredited Portuguese higher education institutions. It is one of the more accessible European government scholarships, with no restriction to a shortlist of eligible nationalities.

What it covers: Full tuition fee coverage at participating institutions and a monthly stipend of approximately €1,250, paid over ten monthly installments across the academic year. Some institutions add health insurance guidance and visa support on top of the core award.

Deadline: Applications open annually from 25 June and close 30 September 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year. Students who enrol after 30 September may still apply within 20 working days of enrolment, though the grant is then paid pro-rata for the remaining academic period.

Detailed Eligibility Checklist

• Open to applicants of all nationalities, including all African countries
• Must first secure admission to an eligible Portuguese higher education institution before applying for the scholarship
• Enrolling in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral programme at a participating institution
• Applicants under the international student regime are not eligible for Portugal’s general social support scheme, except in emergency humanitarian situations
• PhD applicants should also check with Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for doctoral-specific grant options

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Secure admission first. Identify a study programme at a participating Portuguese university and apply for admission directly with that institution.
2. Register on the DGES online platform using your admission details to access the scholarship application area.
3. Complete the scholarship application form, providing personal, academic, and household financial information as requested.
4. Upload required documents — academic transcripts, CV, passport copy, proof of admission, and language proficiency evidence where required.
5. Submit before 30 September 2026 (or within 20 working days of enrolment if enrolling later in the year).
6. Track your application through the DGES reserved area, where you can check status, upload further documents, and view results.

Why This Scholarship Is Competitive

Unlike many European government scholarships that publish a short list of eligible countries, Portugal’s scheme is open to students from virtually anywhere — which makes it one of the more realistic fully funded routes into Europe for African students who may not qualify for narrower country-specific programmes. Because the scholarship is tied to admission rather than a separate competitive selection process, a strong, complete university application is often the deciding factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply to the university and the scholarship separately? Yes — university admission comes first, and the scholarship application is submitted afterward through the DGES platform.

Is this scholarship available for online or distance programmes? No — it is intended for students enrolled full-time at a Portuguese institution.

Can PhD students still apply through DGES? Doctoral applicants should also check directly with FCT, which administers separate doctoral grant schemes alongside the general DGES scholarship.