(BL02/2026)

CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR RESEARCH GRANT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF R&D PROJECTS AND INSTITUTIONS

A research grant for a student on a non-degree course
  

COMPETE2030-FEDER-02288900

A call for applications is now open for the award of a Research Grant within the scope of the Terraprima – Serviços Ambientais project entitled “AVALON - Assessing, Optimising and Remunerating for Sustainability in Ruminant Systems” (COMPETE2030-FEDER-02288900), co-funded by the COMPETE2030 programme, under the following conditions:

Scientific Area:
Animal Science.

Admission requirements: 

In accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the FCT Research Grants Regulation (Reg. No. 950/2019), the applicant must:

a) hold a master’s degree and be (at the time of signing the contract) enrolled on a non-degree course forming part of the educational programme of a higher education institution, carried out in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units;

b) not exceed, upon the conclusion of the grant contract in question, including any possible renewals, a cumulative period of two years on this type of grant, whether consecutive or non-consecutive.

Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries must be registered by a Portuguese institution, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of 16 August and Ministerial Order No. 33/2019 of 25 January. Presentation of the certificate is mandatory for the signing of the contract. Further information can be found at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento?plid=374

Work plan:
The activities to be carried out by the grant holder include: processing and analysing experimental data related to the sustainability of livestock systems and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in cattle; participation in field and laboratory trials associated with the evaluation of nutritional and management strategies for mitigating enteric methane emissions, support in monitoring zootechnical and environmental indicators, as well as collaboration in the systematisation and validation of results for demonstration in a pilot context; technical and scientific dissemination activities for the project.

Applicable legislation and regulations:
Law No. 40/2004 of 18 August (Statute of the Scientific Research Fellow), as amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of 28 August; FCT Research Grant Regulations, available at https://arquivo.pt/wayback/20240119164852mp_/https://former.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/docs/RegulamentoBolsasFCT2019.pdf and https://dre.pt/application/file/a/127230968.

Place of work:
The work will be carried out at Terraprima – Serviços Ambientais, at the premises located at Centro de Negócios do Porto Alto, Fracção S, Avenida das Nações Unidas, no. 97, 2135-199 Samora Correia, at the premises of the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, at Quinta da França (Covilhã) and at Terraprima’s network of farms.

Duration of the scholarship:
The scholarship will last for 12 months, with a planned start date in June 2026.

Monthly maintenance grant amount:
The grant amounts to €1,309.64 per month, in accordance with the table of grant amounts awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tabela_valores_SMM_2025.pdf), with the payment method being at the Scholar’s discretion via Bank Transfer or Cheque. The Scholar’s Voluntary Social Security contributions will be reimbursed (up to the amount corresponding to the 1st bracket).

Selection methods:

1) Academic assessment: 75%, comprising:

a. 20% allocated to the arithmetic mean of the final grades in the Bachelor’s degree (1st cycle) and Master’s degree (2nd cycle) (score from 1 to 20);

b. 20% allocated to demonstrable knowledge in the areas of Animal Science (score from 1 to 20); 

c. 30% based on experience in mitigating methane production in ruminants (score from 1 to 20);

d. 5% for experience in publishing scientific articles in journals or presenting papers at national or international conferences (score from 1 to 20).

2) Individual interview (only in the event of a tie between the highest-ranked candidates): 25% (score from 1 to 20). This interview will assess motivation and aptitude for the planned activities, as well as willingness to carry out their activities at the locations specified in the work plan.

Composition of the Selection Panel:

• Chair: Professor Tiago Domingos;
• Members: Professor Rui Bessa and Dr. Adibe Luiz Abdalla Filho.
• Alternate: Engineer Nuno Rodrigues.

Method of publication/notification of results:
All candidates will be notified of the Final Assessment Result by email.

Application deadline and method of submission:
The call is open from 1 to 5 June 2026 (inclusive).

Applications must be submitted by sending the following documents:
i) Research Grant Application Form (available at https://www.terraprima.pt/pt/download/88/60994);
ii) Curriculum Vitae;
iii) academic qualifications certificate;
iv) letter of motivation;
v) a sworn statement confirming that, upon signing the grant contract in question, the applicant will not exceed a cumulative period of two years on this type of grant.

These documents must be sent by email to ambiental@terraprima.pt .