University of Porto Research Scholarship 2026 in Criminology Portugal
The University of Porto Research Scholarship 2026 offers an opportunity for students with a Bachelor's degree in Criminology who are enrolled in or preparing to enroll in a Master's programme in Criminology. The research scholarship provides a monthly stipend of €1,090.98 and is based at the Faculty of Law's Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Justice (CIJ) in Portugal.
The selected researcher will contribute to a research project focused on predatory publishing and academic evaluation systems. The position is full-time, requiring 35 hours per week, with an initial contract period of 12 months.
University of Porto Research Scholarship 2026 Overview
- Host Country: Portugal
- Host University: University of Porto
- Faculty: Faculty of Law
- Research Centre: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Justice (CIJ)
- Scholarship Type: Research Scholarship / Studentship
- Degree Level: Master's level
- Field: Criminology
- Eligible Nationalities: International and Portuguese students
- Monthly Stipend: €1,090.98
- Duration: 12 months initially
- Working Hours: 35 hours per week
- Application Deadline: August 28, 2026
- Application Time: 23:59 Lisbon time
- Application Reference: BOLS-FDUP-26-5
Degree Level
This opportunity is intended for candidates who hold a Bachelor's degree in Criminology and are enrolled in a Master's programme in Criminology.
Proof of Master's enrolment must be provided by the time the scholarship contract is signed. Therefore, applicants should carefully distinguish this opportunity from general Master's scholarships because it is specifically connected to a research position.
Applicants with Bachelor's degrees in related fields such as Law, Sociology or Psychology should not assume that they qualify. The published requirement specifically identifies Criminology as the required Bachelor's field.
Available Subjects
The main academic field is Criminology, while the research project focuses on issues related to academic publishing and evaluation.
The selected candidate may work on:
- Predatory publishing
- Academic evaluation systems
- Qualitative research
- Semi-structured interviews
- Interview transcription
- Qualitative data analysis
- Academic research
- Scientific reporting
- Research communication
- Conference activities
- Academic publications
The position is therefore particularly suitable for candidates who want to develop practical research experience alongside their Master's studies.
Benefits
The University of Porto Research Scholarship provides several benefits to the successful candidate.
€1,090.98 Monthly Stipend
The selected researcher will receive a monthly scholarship payment of €1,090.98, transferred through a bank account.
Research Experience
The scholarship provides hands-on experience within a university research centre. The selected candidate will participate in an active research project rather than simply receiving financial support for studies.
Personal Accident Insurance
The scholarship holder receives personal accident insurance under the applicable conditions.
Social Insurance Option
The researcher may also have the option to join Portugal's voluntary social-insurance scheme according to the applicable rules.
Possibility of Renewal
The initial scholarship lasts 12 months. It may potentially be renewed following satisfactory evaluation, institutional requirements and the availability of funding.
The total scholarship period cannot exceed two years.
Eligible Nationalities
The research scholarship does not exclude international applicants. Candidates with degrees obtained outside Portugal can apply, but their foreign qualifications must satisfy Portugal's degree-recognition requirements.
International applicants should pay particular attention to the recognition of their Bachelor's degree. If a foreign degree has not been submitted for recognition and final-grade conversion by the application deadline, the candidate may receive a fixed score for the relevant academic-grade assessment criterion.
Applicants from outside Portugal should therefore begin the recognition process as early as possible.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the specific academic and enrolment requirements stated in the call.
Required Qualifications
Candidates generally need to have:
- A Bachelor's degree in Criminology
- Enrolment in a Master's programme in Criminology
- The ability to provide the required academic documentation
- Availability to perform the research activities associated with the position
Proof of Master's enrolment is required by the contracting stage.
Research Experience
Previous research experience can strengthen an application. Relevant experience may include:
- Semi-structured interviews
- Qualitative research
- Qualitative data analysis
- Academic writing
- Research projects
- Technical reports
- Conference presentations
- Scientific publications
English Language Skills
Advanced English proficiency is listed as a preferred qualification. Candidates should be comfortable reading academic literature, writing research reports and communicating about their research.
An IELTS score is not specifically stated as a mandatory requirement in this research scholarship call. However, shortlisted applicants may be assessed through an English-language interview if the selection committee considers an interview necessary.
What Will the Selected Researcher Do?
This is a 35-hour-per-week research position, so candidates should be prepared to actively contribute to the project.
Responsibilities may include:
- Conducting literature reviews
- Preparing technical reports
- Supporting interviews
- Transcribing interviews
- Analysing qualitative interview data
- Participating in research meetings
- Helping organise scientific events
- Supporting international conference communications
- Contributing to academic publications
The research is supervised by Professor Rita Faria at the University of Porto.
Selection Process
The selection process places significant emphasis on the candidate's academic and research profile.
The main curricular assessment accounts for 75% of the evaluation. An English-language interview may account for the remaining 25% if the selection committee needs additional information to distinguish candidates.
The assessment may consider:
- Academic performance
- Previous research experience
- Research projects
- Publications
- Technical reports
- Conference participation
- Qualitative research skills
- English proficiency
- Motivation
- Availability
Candidates with practical experience in qualitative research and interviews may therefore have an advantage.
Application Procedure
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the documents required by the official call. These include:
- CV in English
- Bachelor's degree certificate
- Eligibility declaration
- Proof of Master's enrolment at the contracting stage
- Foreign-degree recognition documents, where applicable
- Supporting documents demonstrating academic or research achievements
Applicants should ensure that all mandatory documents are submitted correctly because missing required documentation can result in exclusion from the selection process.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the University of Porto's Apply UP system under reference BOLS-FDUP-26-5.
Candidates should prepare their academic certificates, CV and supporting evidence before submitting the application.
International candidates should also consider the time required for foreign-degree recognition and documentation. Waiting until the final day can create problems if additional documentation is required.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the University of Porto Research Scholarship is:
August 28, 2026, at 23:59 Lisbon time.
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and verify that all required documents have been uploaded successfully.
Final Words
The University of Porto Research Scholarship 2026 is a targeted opportunity for Criminology graduates who want to gain professional research experience while pursuing a Master's degree. With a monthly stipend of €1,090.98, personal accident insurance and the possibility of renewal, it can provide both financial support and valuable academic experience.
However, this is not a general scholarship open to students from every academic background. The requirement for a Bachelor's degree in Criminology and Master's enrolment in Criminology makes the opportunity particularly suitable for candidates already following this academic pathway.
International applicants should also start preparing their foreign-degree recognition documents early and submit their complete application before August 28, 2026.
