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Research Initiation Grant for an undergraduate student
Project title: Capacity building in the field of Higher Education for Legal, Social and Digital Advancement through the promotion of Excellence in Research and Sustainable Connectivity in the Philippines
Project reference: 101237381
A call for applications is open for a research initiation grant for an undergraduate student under the project “Capacity building in the field of Higher Education for Legal, Social and Digital Advancement through the promotion of Excellence in Research and Sustainable Connectivity in the Philippines - CALSADA R.S.D.”, with the reference 101237381, funded by the European Union, under the following conditions:
1. Scientific Area: Law.
2. Admission requirements: Proof of enrolment for the current academic year.
3. Work plan:
Collaboration in the activities planned under the CALSADA Project, whose goal is to contribute to solving problems in legal education in the Philippines, namely the shortage of academic research in law schools, by promoting the development of knowledge relevant to the modernization of outdated legal codes, the protection of human rights and the rule of law, as well as the advancement of ASEAN integration.
In this context, the grant holder will support Professor Francisco Pereira Coutinho in pursuing these objectives, particularly through collaboration in the coordination of courses, events, and research activities on the topics covered by the CALSADA Project.
4. Applicable legislation and regulations: Pursuant to the NOVA University Lisbon Research Grant Regulations, approved by Order no. 9484/2023 of 14 September 2023, as well as the Research Grant Holder Statute, approved by Law no. 40/2004, of 18 August, as amended and republished by Decree-Law no. 202/2012, of 27 August and by Law no. 12/2013, of 29 January, Decree-Law no. 89/2013, of 29 January.º 40/2004, of 18 August, amended and republished by Decree-Law no. 202/2012, of 27 August and by Law no. 12/2013, of 29 January, by Decree-Law no. 89/2013, of 9 July and by Decree-Law no. 233/2012, of 29 October (available at https://dre.pt/dre/legislacao-consolidada/lei/2004-58216179)
5. Place of work: The work will be carried out at the Nova School of Law, under the scientific supervision of Professor Francisco Pereira Coutinho.
6. Duration of the grant: The grant will have a duration of seven months, starting on 5 January 2026, with no possibility of renewal.
7. Amount of the monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the scholarship corresponds to 651,12€, according to the table of values defined in Annex I of the NOVA University Lisbon Research Scholarship Regulations, approved by Order no. 9484/2023 of 14 September 2023, and payment is made monthly by bank transfer.
8. Selection methods:
The selection methods to be used will be as follows:
a) Academic transcript (40%);
b) Motivation letter (40%);
c) Relevance and suitability of the candidate’s previous background to the research project (20%).
9. Composition of the Selection Panel:
President of the Jury:
Francisco Pereira Coutinho
Effective members:
Felipe Pathé Duarte
Graça Canto Moniz
Alternates:
Fabrizio Esposito
10. How the results are publicised/notified:
The final results of the assessment proposed by the jury will be notified to the candidates by email, no later than 90 working days after the deadline for submitting applications, and they will be able to access the minutes and the shortlist, and comment within 10 working days on the draft decision in the context of a prior hearing of interested parties, under the terms of the Code of Administrative Procedure. At the end of the period set for the hearing of interested parties and in the absence of any response, the shortlist will become final. Candidates may lodge a complaint against the final decision within 15 working days (to the email address used for notification), or appeal to the highest executive body of the funding organisation within 30 working days of notification of the final decision, addressed to (the Directorate or CEDIS) via the email address cedis@novalaw.unl.pt.
11. Application deadline and form of submission: The call for applications will be open between 18 November and 4 December.
12. Applications must be formalised by sending an email to concurso.bolsas@novalaw.unl.pt, mentioning the grant reference "Research Initiation Grant no. 1/2025." in the subject line of the email.
13. The application must consist of a single PDF file, including:
a. Motivation letter (up to two pages)
b. Detailed CV (including email address and telephone number);
c. Documents proving the academic degrees obtained and grades in all subjects taken;
(For academic degrees awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it is compulsory to present the registration of the recognition of the academic degree and the conversion of the final classification to the Portuguese scale (process regulated by Decree-Law no. 341/2007, of 12th October), or alternatively, to obtain equivalence/recognition of the academic degrees (process regulated by Decree-Law no. 283/83, of 21st June)).
d. Proof of enrolment for the current academic year as set out in point 2 of the Notice;
DISCLAIMER: This document is an unofficial translation of the Portuguese official announcement, provided for reference only. Although we have done our best to provide an accurate translation, should any discrepancies arise, the official version shall prevail.
Lisbon, 14th of November, 2025
Margarida Lima Rego, Dean