Mandatory requirements: Applicants must cumulatively meet the following two requirements: 

- Requirement 1 – hold a Master’s degree in Conservation and Restoration or related areas within Cultural Heritage Sciences (*1); 

- Requirement 2 – be enrolled in a non-academic degree course integrated in an educational project of a Higher Education Institution in the academic year 2026/2027 (*2). 

(*1) – (Supporting documents proving the award of academic degrees and diplomas, or their recognition when awarded by foreign higher education institutions, are not required at the application stage and may be replaced by a declaration of honor from the candidate). 

(*2) – (Documents proving this status must be submitted no later than the grant contracting stage and may, prior to that, be replaced by a declaration under commitment of honor). 

Preferred factors: 

a) Research experience in the field of conservation and restoration of photography, time-based media, or modern materials (plastics, synthetic films, etc.); 

b) Experience in infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and optical microscopy, applied to the analysis of cultural heritage materials; 

c) Oral and written proficiency in English.

Monthly maintenance allowance amount: The amount of the scholarship corresponds to €1.359,64, based on the table of values for scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal, with payment made monthly by bank transfer.

Selection criteria: The selection methods will be as follows: 

i. Curricular evaluation (60%) focusing on the candidate’s merit, considering the following factors: 

a) Academic background – [0-10] points; 

b) Motivation letter – [0-5] points; 

c) Experience in the area and scientific publications related to the fields mentioned – [0-5] points. 

Candidates will be graded on a scale from 0 to 20 points. Up to 3 candidates with minimum score of 13 points in the curricular evaluation will be admitted to the interview. 

ii. Interview (40%), focusing on topics related to the work plan, experience, and commitment/interest in the project theme.

Composition of the Selection Jury: 

President – Professor Dr. João Sotomayor, LAQV and DCR-NOVA FCT 

Efective Jury Member – Professor Dr. Élia Roldão, LAQV and DQ-NOVA FCT 

Efective Jury Member – Professor Dr. Susana França de Sá, LAQV and DCR-NOVA FCT 

Efective Jury Member – Dr. Isabel Pires, CESEM and DCM-NOVA FCSH 

Substitute Jury Member – Dr. Susana Belchior, Museu Nacional da Música e Museus e Monumentos de Portugal 

Substitute Jury Member – Dr. Márcia Vilarigues, VICARTE and DCR-NOVA FCT 

Form of advertising/notification of results: The draft decision of the evaluation proposed by the jury will be notified, up to 90 days after the deadline for the submission of applications, by email, of the results proposed by the jury, with access to the minutes and the final ranking list. After notification, candidates will have 10 working days to comment on the draft decision (prior hearing of interested parties, under the terms of the Code of Administrative Procedure). The final decision will be taken after the expiry of the prior hearing period, again notified to all candidates by e-mail. Of this final decision the candidates can file a complaint within 15 working days (to the e-mail address used for the notification), or a hierarchical appeal, within 30 working days, addressed to NOVA.ID.FCT's Board through the address coord1@novaidfct.pt.

Drafts: The templates for: i) grant contract, ii) final report to be submitted by the grant holder, iii) final report to be submitted by the scientific supervisor, and iv) declaration under oath of honor, can be found on the NOVA.id.FCT website.