Opening Notice of the 4th Edition of the Call for Awarding of Doctoral Research Studentships

The Consortium of Agricultural Sciences Schools (CECA) is launching a call for the award of 20 (twenty) Studentships, in the area of Agricultural Sciences, under the FCT Research Grant Regulation (RBI) and the Research Fellowship Statute (EBI). The grants will be funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the Collaboration Protocol signed between the FCT and the Consortium of Schools of Agricultural Sciences (CECA), within the scope of the Centro Ciência LP, Category 2 Center, under the auspices of UNESCO, in the area corresponding to Agricultural Sciences. The Consortium of Schools of Agricultural Sciences (CECA) is formed by the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA) of the Universidade de Lisboa, the Universidade de Évora (UE), the Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) and the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB).

1.SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

The call is open from 26th February 2024 to 23h59 (Lisbon time) of 30th April 2024. Applications and supporting documents foreseen in this Opening Notice must be submitted, obligatorily, by email sent to the email addresses of the respective institutions:

IPB – Instituto Politécnico de Bragança: ceca.bolsas@ipb.pt

ISA – Instituto Superior de Agronomia: ceca.bolsas@isa.ulisboa.pt UE – Universidade de Évora: ceca.bolsas@uevora.pt

UTAD – Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro: ceca.bolsas@utad.pt

Each candidate may submit only two applications to the call, under penalty of cancellation of all submitted applications. The provision of false statements or plagiarism by the candidates shall be grounds for cancellation of the application without prejudice to the adoption of other sanction measures.

2.TYPE AND DURATION OF STUDENTSHIPS

The doctoral research grants are intended to fund research activities leading to the attainment of the academic degree of doctor in one of the Consortium institutions (IPB, ISA, UE and UTAD) under the Consortium of Schools of Agricultural Sciences (CECA). The research activities underlying the grants are carried out in one of the Research Units headquartered in the CECA member institutions (studentships "in the country"), which will be the host institution of the grantee, without prejudice to the work being carried out in collaboration between more than one institution.

Research activities should preferably be developed in collaboration with institutions in Portuguese- speaking African countries or East Timor, and address topics of interest to institutions in those countries. The research activities leading to the attainment of the academic degree of Doctor of the selected studentship holders must be framed in the activity plan and strategy of the R&D Units of the institutions that integrate the CECA, and must be developed within the scope of the following Doctoral Programmes:

• PhD in Animal Science, UTAD

• PhD in Agricultural and Forest Sciences, UTAD

• PhD in Veterinary Sciences, UTAD

• PhD in Agricultural Production Chains – From Table to Field, UTAD - taught in English

• PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UE

• PhD in Agribusiness & Sustainability, UE and UTAD

• PhD in Veterinary Sciences, UE

• PhD in Food Sciences, UE

• PhD in Sustainable Land Use (specialization areas in Agricultural Engineering, Food Science and Engineering and Forestry and Natural Resources), ISA/ULisboa

• PhD in Agricultural Innovation in Tropical Food Chains, ISA/ULisboa

As a rule, the duration of PhD studentships is annual, renewable for up to a maximum of four years (48 months), and cannot be granted for a period less than 3 consecutive months.

3.RECIPIENTS OF STUDENTSHIPS

PhD studentships are intended for applicants that are enrolled or that comply with the requirements to enrol on the Doctoral Programmes listed in this Notice (point 2) and that will carry out research towards this degree in research units associated with the respective doctoral programme, or in host institutions associated with CECA. Moreover, applicants should preferably do their research studies in collaboration with entities from their country of origin. Applicants must have a master's degree or a 5-year bachelor's degree in fields of study compatible with the chosen doctoral program.

4.ADMISSIBILITY

 4.1 Applicants's Admissibility Requirements

Citizens of Portuguese-speaking African countries or East Timor can apply for this call. To apply for a PhD studentship, under this Notice, it is necessary:

- To be hold of a Bachelor's Degree lasting at least five years or a Master's Degree in the areas of Sciences and/or Agronomic, Agricultural, Food, Forestry and Animal Production Engineering, Veterinary Medicine or in areas of science and/or engineering considered to be related;

- Not to have benefited from a PhD or a PhD in industry studentship directly funded by FCT, regardless of its duration;

- Not to hold a doctoral degree.

4.2 Application's Admissibility Requirements

It is mandatory, under penalty of non-admissibility, to submit the following documents:

- Elements of the identity card/ citizen card/ passport;

- Curriculum Vitae (CV), using the CIÊNCIAVITAE platform. Register and fill in here https://www.cienciavitae.pt;

- Academic degree certificates indicating the final grade and if possible the final grade of disciplines obtained, or alternatively a candidate's statement of honour on how he/she completed the bachelor's or master's degree by the end of the application deadline;

- In case of foreign degrees (not obtained in Portugal) it is mandatory to submit the recognition of such degrees and the conversion of the final grade to the Portuguese grading scale or, alternatively, a candidate's statement of honour that he/she will obtain recognition of a foreign degree equivalent to that of a Bachelor or Master until the end of the application period. Failure to present the aforementioned recognition and the conversion of the final grade to the Portuguese grading scale of at least one of the academic degrees required for admission to this call (5-year Degree or Master's Degree), by the end of the application period, determines the minimum grade (zero points) in the evaluation of such degree, sub-criterion A1 "Academic background and marks obtained" (point 6.1);

- Motivation letter in which the applicant explains the reasons why wishes to enrol in one of the PhD Programs listed in this Notice. The candidate must also indicate his/her preference in relation to the consortium institution where he/she wish to carry out the PhD;

- Recommendation letters (two) signed by the respective issuer, one of which may be a letter of support from a higher education institution, employer or other, with precise reference to this call and to the doctoral program and institution to which he/she is applying. These letters should include the context of the academic and/or professional relationship of the candidate with the referee and, eventually, may refer to the applicant’s maturity and career path adequacy related to the proposed PhD program he/she is applying;

- The application and all documents associated with it, including letters of motivation and recommendation, should be written in Portuguese or English.

To support the process, consult the Application Guide here: https://www.ciencialp.pt/guia-de-candidatura/ Regarding the above mentioned admissibility requirements, the following should be noted:

- In case of foreign (non-Portuguese) academic degrees awarded by higher education institutions, and to guarantee the principle of equal treatment to applicants with national and foreign academic degrees, it is mandatory the recognition of these degrees and conversion of the respective final grade to the Portuguese grading scale. The recognition of foreign academic degrees and diplomas, and the conversion of the respective final grade to the Portuguese grading scale, can be issued by a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution, or by the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES, just in case of automatic recognition). It is suggested to visit the DGES portal at: http://www.dges.gov.pt.

- Only candidates who have completed a bachelor's or master's degree until the end of the application period will be admitted. If they still do not have a certificate of course completion, a statement of honour from the candidates that they have completed the necessary qualifications for the purposes of the call will be accepted by the end of the application period. Failure to present the course completion certificate specifying the final grade, by the end of the application deadline, determines the minimum grade (zero points) in the evaluation of the academic degree in question, concerning sub-criterion A1 "Academic background and marks obtained " (point 6.1).

- The studentship granting depends on the presentation, in the contracting phase, of proof of ownership of academic qualifications.

5. WORK PLANS AND SCIENTIFIC SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENTSHIPS

The candidate is exempt, at the time of application, from presenting the work plan to be developed, as well as the supervisor statement (and the supervisor Curriculum vitae). Thus, the members of the evaluation panel, in articulation with the Scientific Committees of the PhD Programs, will select the student scientific supervisor.

6. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND BONUSES

6.1 Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation takes into account the candidate's merit and motivation. All admitted applications will be scored on a scale from 0 to 100 points in each of the four evaluation criteria:

- Criterion A – Academic and professional background/path, and grades obtained;

           - Subcriterion A1 - Academic path and grades obtained, with a weight of 40%, Subcriterion A2 - Professional career, with a weight of 20%,

- Criterion B – Interview (in person or by videoconference), with a weight of 20%; in case the jury decides not to interview the candidates, criteria C and D will have a weight of 20% each;

- Criterion C - Research activity, publications and additional training, with a weight of 10%;

- Criterion D - Letter of motivation and letters of recommendation/institutional support, with a weight of 10%.

For the purposes of the decision on granting studentships, candidates will be ranked according to the weighted average of the classification obtained in each of the four criteria, converted into the following formula:

Final Grade = (0.4 × A1 + 0.2 × A2) + (0.2×B) + (0.1×C) + (0.1×D)

For tiebreaking purposes, the final ranking list will be based on the scores assigned to each evaluation criteria in the following order: criterion A, criterion B, criterion C and criterion D.

The jury will try to distribute the studentship holders in a balanced way among the consortium schools, preferentially attributing 5 studentships per institution.

Important notice for candidates with degrees issued by foreign higher education institutions:

- Candidates with diplomas issued by foreign higher education institutions can apply and will be evaluated with the same criteria as candidates with diplomas issued by Portuguese institutions, provided that they present, in their application, proof of recognition of academic degrees and conversion of the final grade for the Portuguese grading scale under the applicable legislation.

- Applicants with recognized foreign diplomas who do not present proof of conversion of the final grade to the Portuguese grading scale will be evaluated with the minimum grade (zero points) of that degree in the sub-criterion A1.

- In any case, studentship contracts with candidates with diplomas issued by foreign institutions will only be concluded upon presentation of proof of recognition of the academic degree(s) and conversion of the final grade, as indicated above.

Candidates whose application is scored with a final grade lower than 70 points are not eligible for studentship granting.

6.2. DisabilityBonuses

Applicants that state a degree of disability equal to or above 90% shall have a bonus of 20% on criterion A – Academic and professional background, and grades obtained. Applicants that state a degree of disability equal to or above 60% and under 90%, shall have a bonus of 10% in this criterion. The degree of disability should be duly proven by submitting, at the time of application, the document Atestado de Incapacidade Multiuso, issued according to the Decree-Law no. 202/96, of 23 of October, in its current version.

7. EVALUATION

The evaluation panel is composed of the following members:

- Cristina Maria Moniz Simões de Oliveira, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa (ISA/ULisboa), Coordinator;

- Albino António Bento, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB);

- Cristina Vitória Miranda Guedes, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD);

- Fernanda Maria dos Reis Torroaes Valente, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa (ISA/ULisboa);

- José Alberto Cardoso Pereira, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB).

- Luís Leopoldo de Sousa e Silva, Universidade de Évora (UE);

- Maria Emília Calvão Moreira da Silva, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD);           

- Rui Manuel de Almeida Machado, Universidade de Évora (UE);

The evaluation panel will analyse applications considering the evaluation criteria disclosed in the Notice of the Call, considering all the appreciation elements. All panel members, including the coordinator, commit to respecting a set of responsibilities essential to the evaluation process, such as the duties of impartiality, the statement of any potential conflict of interest situations and confidentiality. During the evaluation process, confidentiality is fully protected to ensure the independence of all opinions produced.

For each application, a final evaluation form will be prepared by the panel where the arguments that led to the classifications attributed to each of the criteria and sub-criteria are presented in a clear, coherent and consistent manner, also explaining any bonuses awarded.

Reports of the responsibility of all its members will be produced from the meetings of the evaluation panel.

The reports and their attachments must include the following information:

• Name and affiliation of all evaluation panel members;

• Identification of all excluded applications and their respective justification;

• Methodology adopted by the panel for cases considered to be particular;

• Final Evaluation form for each candidate;

• Provisional ranking list of candidates, in descending order of final classification, of all applications evaluated by the jury, without ties;

• Conflict of interest (COI) declarations from all panel members;

• Possible delegation of votes and powers due to excused absence of any panel member.

8. RESULTS DISCLOSURE

The evaluation results are disclosed via e-mail to the e-mail address used by the candidate to send the application or indicated in the application.

9. DEADLINES AND PROCEDURES FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, CLAIMS AND APPEALS

Once the provisional ranked list of the evaluation results has been communicated, applicants may use their right to dispute it during the preliminary hearing phase, which takes place within 10 working days, according to Articles no. 121 and the following of the Administrative Procedure Code (CPA). The final decision will be disclosed after the analysis of applicants’ arguments presented in the preliminary hearing. Final decision can be claimed within 15 working days or, alternatively, appealed within 30 working days, after the communication of the final results, respectively. Applicants who choose to submit a claim must address their statement to the member of the Board of Directors of the FCT with delegated competence. Applicants who choose to submit an appeal must address it to the FCT Board of Directors.

10. REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTSHIP GRANTING

Research studentship contracts are signed directly with the FCT. The following documents are of mandatory submission, upon conditional granting of the studentship for purposes of contracting thereof:

- Copy of the documents of personal identification, tax number and, if applicable, social security;

- Copy of the academic degree certificates;

- Presentation of the registration of recognition of foreign academic degrees and conversion of the respective final grade to the Portuguese grading scale, if applicable;

- Work Plan;

- Document proving the acceptance and registration in one of the Doctoral Programmes identified in this Notice;

- Supervisor(s) statement declaring to coordinate the work plan, as established in Article no. 5-A of the Statute for Research Fellowships (template will be made available by FCT);

- Institutional document supporting the applicant, issued by the institution(s) where the work plan will be carried out, guaranteeing the necessary conditions to its successful development, as well as the fulfilment of the duties established in Article no. 13 of the Research Fellowship Holder Statute (template will be made available by FCT);

- Updated document proving the exclusivity dedication regime (template will be made available by FCT).

The studentship granting is still dependent on:

• The fulfilment of all the requirements listed in this Notice of the Call;

• The results of evaluation;

• The absence of unjustified non-compliance of the fellowship holder during previous directly or indirectly FCT funded fellowships;

• FCT available budget.

The lack of any of the necessary documents to complete the contracting procedure implies the expiration of the studentship granting and conclusion of the process; applicants have up to 6 months after the disclosure of the provisional granting to present all of the listed documents.

11. FUNDING

Studentships payment will start after returning the signed contract to FCT, which should happen within the 15 working days after its delivery. The studentships granted in this call will be financed by FCT using the State Budget fund and, whenever eligible, using the European Social Fund (ESF), under the through the Demography, Qualifications and Inclusion Program (PDQI), or any other funding schemes that might be approved, according to the respective requirements.

12.STUDENT ALLOWANCE

A monthly maintenance allowance is granted to studentship holders, in accordance with the table in Annex I of the RBI (https://www.ciencialp.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Regulamento-950_2019_bolsas.pdf)).

The students may also include additional allowances, according to RBI’s Article no.18 and the values indicated in its Annex II.

All studentship holders have a personal accident insurance related to the research activities, which FCT will support.

All student holders who are not beneficiaries of any social protection regime can use the right to social security through the voluntary social insurance regime, under the terms of the Contributory Scheme oh the Social Security System. FCT will ensure the charges resulting from contributions under the terms and with the limits provided in Article no.10 of the EBI.

13. PAYMENT OF STUDENTSHIP ALLOWANCE

Payments due to the studentship holder are made by bank transfer to the respective indicated account. The monthly maintenance allowance is paid on the first working day of each month.

Registration, enrolment or tuition fees components are payed directly by FCT to the institution where the studentship is registered and enrolled.

14. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PHD STUDENTSHIP RENEAWAL

The renewal of the studentship always depends on applicant’s submission, within 60 working days prior to the renewal start date, of the following documents:

- Declaration issued by the supervisor(s) and by the host institution(s) attesting the work plan development and the evaluation of the respective activities;

- Updated document proving compliance with the exclusive dedication regime;

- Declaration demonstrating the enrolment renewal in the study cycle leading to the doctoral degree.

15. INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY OF THE GRANTED FUNDING

During the grant award period, students will be duly followed by the Centro Ciência LP, Category 2 Center, under the auspices of UNESCO, in full articulation with the Consortium of Schools of Agricultural Sciences (CECA), which will coordinate additional activities, leading to the development of complementary skills, namely through Summer or Winter School, seminars or thematic workshops, etc.

All the R&D activities carried  out  by  the  grantee,  directly  or  indirectly  financed  by  the studentship, namely, communications, publications and scientific creations, as well as thesis, must include the reference to FCT and European Social Fund (ESF) financing. In particular, these references should mention the Demography, Qualifications and Inclusion Program (PDQI),, or additional funding schemes that might be approved. Insignia of FCT, MCTES, ESF and EU must therefore be included in the documents referring to these actions, according to the graphic rules of each operational programme.

The disclosure of research results funded according to the RBI provisions must comply with  the open access guidelines, publications and other research results in accordance with FCT rules.

For all  the  studentships,  in particular  in  case  of  European  funded  actions,  namely  the  ESF,  may be performed monitoring and controlling actions by national or European entities according to the applicable legislation. Grantees must therefore collaborate and provide all the required information, including answering to surveys and evaluation studies in this area, even though the studentship might has already ceased.

16. NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL ACCESS POLICY

FCT promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access, thus no applicant may be privileged, benefited, damaged, or deprived of any right or exempted  from  any  duty.  This  includes  ancestry, age, sex,  sexual orientation,  marital  status,  family  situation,  economic  situation,  education,  origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic disease, nationality, ethnicity or race, land of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs or trade union affiliation.

17. APPLICABLE LEGISLATION AND REGULATION

The present call is governed by this Notice of the Call, the FCT Regulation of Research Fellowships, approved by the Regulation no. 950/2019, published in the Series II of the DR, of 16th December, by the Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by the Law no. 40/2004, of 18th of August, in its current version, and by other applicable national and European legislation.

18. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Careful reading of the information necessary for the submission of applications for the Doctoral Programs in each of the CECA universities/schools is recommended.

General information on the Doctoral Admission Regime for the academic year:

IPB (Bragança) - http://www.ceca.pt

ISA (Lisboa) - https://www.isa.ulisboa.pt/ensino/doutoramentos

UE (Évora) - https://www.uevora.pt/estudar/cursos/doutoramentos

UTAD (Vila Real) - https://utad.pt/estudar/inicio/doutoramentos

More information at:

Consórcio de Escolas de Ciências Agrárias;

http://www.ceca.pt

Centro Ciência LP, sob os auspícios da UNESCO:

www.ciencialp.pt