GIMM - Requirements and Selection

The first phase is eliminatory, and each application will be reviewed in detail by three members of the selection panel. The evaluation considers the candidate’s merit and motivation, assessed based on the documents submitted in the application. Subsequently, the panel will meet to deliberate. Eligible applications will be scored on a scale of 1 to 20 for each of the following evaluation criteria:

Criterion A – CV reflecting the academic, scientific, and professional background (Weight: 50%)

• Sub-criterion A1: Final Grade (25%)

  The score for this sub-criterion is calculated based on the final grades listed in the academic degree certificates submitted by the candidate in the application form, according to Table 1. The grade to be considered is the one stated in the respective degree certificates or, where applicable, in the certificates of degree recognition and grade conversion to the Portuguese scale.

  • Rounding Rules: For certificates where the final grade includes decimals, the value will be rounded to the nearest whole number: if the decimal is 5 or higher, it is rounded up; if it is lower than 5, the whole number is maintained.

  • Combined Grades: In the case of calculating the simple arithmetic mean between a Bachelor’s and a Master’s grade, the actual grades on the certificates will be used (including decimals), with rounding performed only after the final average is obtained. If a certificate displays both a rounded grade and a decimal grade, the rounded grade will be used.

Table 1 – Scoring table for Sub-criterion A1

*Arithmetic mean of the grades of both degrees.

Note: Candidates with foreign degrees who do not provide a degree recognition document including proof of grade conversion to the Portuguese scale will still be evaluated, and will be awarded the minimum grade for BSc. or MSc. on sub-criteria A2.

• Sub-criterion A2: Scientific and professional career (25%)

Criterion B – Motivation Letters (Weight: 35%)

The evaluation of the motivation letters considers the motivation to apply for this specific Program; how the Program can contribute to individual career development; and the alignment of individual professional goals with the objectives of GIMM.

Criterion C – Letters of Recommendation (Weight: 15%)

The evaluation of the recommendation letters focuses on the candidate’s intellectual curiosity and scientific commitment, academic curriculum, and research experience and competence.

Candidates approved in the first phase (with a score of 14 or higher) will be invited to the second eliminatory phase.

The second eliminatory phase consists of an interview with at least three members of the selection panel. Subsequently, the panel will deliberate on the interview performance and evaluate each candidate according to the following criteria:

• Criterion A (15%): Familiarity with the scientific topics and projects integrated into GIMM.
• Criterion B (30%): Ability to discuss and critically analyze scientific work produced to date, namely the capacity to identify and analyze strengths and weaknesses; ambition and future plans.
• Criterion D (20%): General scientific knowledge and interests.
• Criterion E (10%): English proficiency – fluency, articulation, etc.

Candidates approved in the second phase (with a score of 14 or higher) will proceed to the third phase. This stage consists of an individual interview for each project selected by the candidate during the application process.

Each interview will be conducted by three members of the selection panel, including the Group Leader of the specific topic. The panel composition for each project will remain the same, except in unforeseen circumstances requiring a substitution. Candidates are evaluated based on:

• Criterion A (30%): Academic, scientific, and professional merit, and its suitability for the chosen topic.
• Criterion B (30%): Motivation for applying to the specific topic.
• Criterion C (40%): Specific knowledge in the candidate’s area of study.

Candidates will be ranked from highest to lowest score for each of the 6 research projects associated with the 6 available fellowships. Applications will be ordered according to the weighted average of the three criteria above, using the formula:

Final classification = (0,30 × A) + (0,30 × B) + (0,40 × C)

• Offer of Fellowship: The highest-ranked candidate for each project, with a minimum score of 15, will receive a fellowship offer. If rejected, the offer passes to the next candidate in the ranking, and so on.
• Minimum Threshold: Candidates with a score lower than 15 points will not be offered a fellowship.
• Tie-breaking: In the event of a tie, the following order of criteria will be used: Criterion C, then Criterion A, and finally Criterion B.
• Exclusivity: Candidates selected for and accepting a fellowship in one Project are precluded from accepting a fellowship in another Project within the same doctoral program.

Candidates with degrees issued by foreign higher education institutions may apply and will be evaluated using the same criteria as candidates with Portuguese degrees, provided they submit proof of degree recognition and grade conversion to the Portuguese scale at the time of application.

• Missing Conversion: Foreign degree holders who do not provide proof of grade conversion will be assigned the minimum score in sub-criterion A1 of the 1st selection phase.
• Contracting Requirement: In any case, fellowship contracts with candidates holding foreign degrees will only be concluded upon presentation of proof of degree recognition as indicated above.

Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in medicine, biological and biomedical sciences (or related areas) or in exact sciences (physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, etc). Candidates must not have previously benefited from a doctoral scholarship or a “PhD in a Company” scholarship directly funded by FCT, irrespective of its duration. Candidates must not possess a doctoral degree.

1. Copy of the identity card/citizen card/passport;
2. Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum);
3. General Motivation Letter (5000 characters limit);
   • Should answer to the following questions:
     •  What was the specific moment or project that convinced you that a PhD in Life Sciences—specifically at an institute like GIMM—was your next step?
     •  How does a PhD at GIMM specifically bridge the gap between your previous experiences and your long-term career goals?
     • What does ‘scientific excellence’ mean to you personally, and how will you pursue it during your doctoral studies?
4. Project specific motivation letter (single PDF document, one page per project maximum);
5. References – We need to receive a minimum of 2 references by the deadline of the call, sent to phdprogramme.applications@gimm.pt
   • The reference letters must be writen in English, and contain the following:
     • Official letterheads containing basic information about the professional status of the referee;
     • Contact information;
     • And be signed (in PDF format);
     • The reference letters must be either sent from the referee’s official email address or sent by you with the referee in CC directly to: phdprogramme.applications@gimm.pt 
6. Degrees – Certificates for your academic degrees, showing your overall final grade and, if possible, the grade for each specific subject. Should a degree not yet be conferred by the application submission, a sworn statement (in English) must be submitted, committing to its conferral by the application period’s end.
   • For degrees obtained from foreign higher education institutions: proof of recognition or, in lieu thereof, a candidate’s sworn declaration affirming that the recognition of their foreign degree (equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s) will be submitted by the program’s commencement. We strongly advise students holding a non-Portuguese degree to contact us (phdprogramme.applications@gimm.pt ) in advance if they require support with degree recognition and grade conversion.
   • For information on degree recognition and grade conversion, please consult the DGES website. You may also send an e-mail to phdprogramme.applications@gimm.pt for further details.

Yes. We welcome applications from candidates with degrees issued by foreign higher education institutions. Your application will be assessed using the same criteria as those with Portuguese degrees. Candidates with foreign degrees who do not provide a degree recognition document including proof of grade conversion to the Portuguese scale will still be evaluated, and will be awarded the minimum grade for BSc. or MSc. on sub-criteria A2.

To ensure a smooth evaluation, you must provide proof of your academic degree’s recognition in Portugal and the conversion of your final grade to the Portuguese grading scale, in accordance with applicable legislation. For information on degree recognition and grade conversion, please consult the DGES website. You may also send an e-mail to phdprogramme.applications@gimm.pt for further details.  If you don’t submit proof of grade conversion, you can still apply with a foreign degree you will be evaluated with the minimum grade in sub-criterion A1 of the first selection phase.

The duration is annual, renewable up to a maximum of four years (48 months).

The research activities will take place at GIMM, in Lisbon and Oeiras.

While you are welcome to apply to multiple projects, we strongly encourage you to prioritize those that align most closely with your research interests and career goals, demonstrating a personal, focused and well-articulated passion for a select one or few projects. Motivation is an essential criterion for the multiple stages of the call which can be penalized by generic motivation statements.

The scholarship includes a monthly allowance for the initial year of €1,309.64 (free of tax), in accordance with the FCT and GIMM Research Fellowship Regulations. Additionally, students will be granted a monthly top-up (“complemento de bolsa”) of €175.38 Euros. Registration, enrollment, and tuition fees are covered and paid directly to FMUL, where the student is enrolled. Students will be entitled to health insurance.