Programmes can offer all vacancies in the first phase or distribute them by phase. Vacancies not taken up in a phase are carried over to the next phase. The opening of the next application phase is subject to the existence of vacancies.

Requirements

To apply for the PhD Program applicants should:

a) hold a Master's degree in Psychology or legal equivalent or holders of a Master's degree in other Sciences, recognized by the PhD Scientific Committee as attesting the capacity to complete a doctoral degree; or

b) hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, or a Bachelor's degree in other Sciences in combination with a relevant academic or scientific curriculum that is recognized by the PhD Scientific Committee as attesting the capacity to complete a doctoral degree; or

c) demonstrate an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum that is recognized by the PhD Scientific Committee as attesting the capacity to complete a doctoral degree.

Candidates must submit a Motivation Letter stating the topic they wish to develop and its alignment with the Research Unit, CIS-Iscte. Please use the template (available here) and submit it in the application section "other documents". 

Check the specific selection and ranking criteria.

Application procedures

The application process may be initiated by clicking "Apply". This will open a newwebpage that provides usefull information about the application to Iscte programs (rounds, documents, FAQ...). We recommned reading this information.

Is also in this webpage that you can access the online platform (Fénix) in which you should conduct and submit your application.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Doctoral Program in Psychology encourages applicants to find external or internal funding for their training. Within the national private and public funding, we highlight:

Iscte Internal Scholarships

Iscte's Merit-Based Scholarships for PhD Students

The School of Social and Human Sciences (ECSH) and the Centre for Research and Social Intervention (CIS-Iscte) will open a competition for the award of one (1) Merit Scholarship and three (3) Scholarships for the payment of annual tuition fees for students enrolled in the Doctorate in Psychology.

The Merit Scholarship, with a monthly value corresponding to the amount of national doctoral scholarships awarded by FCT, is intended -to students selected and enrolled for the first time in the 1st year of the doctoral programme in Psychology at Iscte and/or who are attending the 1st year of the doctoral programme in Psychology at Iscte for the first time in the 2024-2025 academic year. Applications are open between 3 and 18 September 2025 at https://recrutamento.iscte-iul.pt/jobs/679

The Scholarships for the payment of annual tuition fees is intended for new students who have completed a master's degree at Iscte in the two academic years immediately preceding the start of their doctorate (including those who have completed or will complete in 2024-2025). Applications are open between 1 and 18 September 2025 at https://recrutamento.iscte-iul.pt/jobs/678

Students already enrolled are eligible to apply, as well as those who will submit their application for the PhD programme in the 6th phase, which will take place between 26 June and 27 August 2025.

For more information, please consult the respective notices:

Opening Notice: Merit Scholarship for Doctoral Students in Psychology 2025/2026

Opening Notice: Grant for the payment of annual tuition fees for Doctoral Students in Psychology 2025/2026

External Scholarships

FCT Individual PhD Scholarships

Information about this call is available on the FCT website.

Individual PhD Scholarships by Fundação “LaCaixa”

Information about this call is available at the Fundação “LaCaixa” website.