University of Évora Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 in Aquatic Ecology Research Open
If you have a Master’s degree in conservation biology, natural resources or a closely related field, the University of Évora is offering four research fellowships worth €1,359.64 per month for work in aquatic ecology.
The positions are based within the MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre and support the project Programa de Remoção de Infraestruturas Hidráulicas Obsoletas, which examines aquatic systems and fish populations around obsolete hydraulic infrastructure. The initial fellowship lasts six months and is expected to begin in September 2026.
Who Can Actually Apply?
This opportunity is quite specialized and for that reason the applicants should hold:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field
- A Master’s degree in Conservation Biology, Natural Resources Management and Conservation, or a related discipline
You should also understand aquatic biology and ecology across freshwater and marine environments.
Practical field experience matters heavily. The call specifically values experience with fish monitoring and sampling, including techniques such as electrofishing, gill nets or traps, as well as knowledge of fish identification, behaviour and migration.
A Category B driving licence and diving certification are preferred rather than absolute requirements.
Do You Need to Be Enrolled in Another Programme?
Yes, this is an easy condition to miss. Research-grant recipients must be enrolled in an eligible study cycle leading to an academic degree or a qualifying non-degree course.
However, you do not necessarily need to provide final proof of enrolment immediately. The application can include the required evidence or, where allowed, a signed declaration that you will provide the proof before the grant contract is signed.
Can International Researchers Apply?
The call for University of Évora aquatic research scholarship does not limit eligibility to Portuguese nationals, so foreign candidates can potentially apply. But there are two practical issues.
First, applicants must be fluent in both written and spoken English and Portuguese. This is therefore not an English-only research fellowship.
Second, academic degrees earned outside Portugal need recognition by a Portuguese institution. The recognition certificate becomes compulsory before the fellowship contract can be signed.
What Would You Actually Do?
This is a field-heavy research role rather than a desk-based scholarship and the selected fellows will help:
- Sample fish populations in aquatic environments
- Use different fish-monitoring techniques
- Locate, map and characterise hydraulic structures
- Monitor fish behaviour in river systems
- Process research data
- Prepare technical reports
- Contribute to scientific papers
The work will involve MARE units at the University of Évora and University of Lisbon, together with fieldwork across different Portuguese river basins. If your background is mainly theoretical biology with no meaningful fieldwork, this may therefore be a difficult competition.
How Much Does the Fellowship Pay?
Each University of Évora fellowship provides €1,359.64 per month. The initial contract lasts six months and may be renewed, depending on the available project budget. With four positions available, this call offers more places than many similar Portuguese research-grant competitions.
How Will Applicants Be Ranked?
Previous relevant experience is the biggest factor and the initial selection gives:
70% — relevant previous experience
30% — curricular assessment
An interview may then be held with up to five of the strongest candidates. If interviews are used, the preliminary assessment contributes 70% and the interview 30% to the next-stage ranking.
That means your CV should make your practical experience impossible to miss. List specific fish species, sampling techniques, field projects, aquatic environments and data-analysis responsibilities rather than simply writing “field research experience.”
How Do You Apply?
Applications are sent by email and should include:
- Application letter
- CV
- Copies of academic qualification certificates
- Proof of enrolment, or the permitted declaration regarding later enrolment evidence
The application should quote the reference PRIHO_PR4_2025 and be sent to [email protected].
University of Évora Fellowship Deadline
Applications for University of Évora MSc in Aquatic research fellowship are accepted until 27 August 2026, with selection results expected by 14 September 2026.
Questions Applicants Are Likely to Ask
Can international candidates apply for admissions at University of Évora ?
Yes, nationality is not stated as a restriction, but foreign qualifications require Portuguese recognition before contracting.
Is Portuguese compulsory to apply at University of Évora ?
Yes. The call explicitly requires fluency in both Portuguese and English.
Can I apply with a Master’s in Marine Biology?
Possibly, because related fields are accepted, but your background should clearly fit aquatic ecology, fish biology or conservation.
Is diving certification mandatory at University of Évora ?
No. It is listed as a preferred qualification alongside a Category B driving licence.
Do I need fish-sampling experience?
It is strongly relevant because previous experience contributes 70% of the initial assessment and the work itself involves fish monitoring and field sampling.
Unsure Whether Your Biology Background Is Close Enough?
If you are uncertain about your Master’s subject, Portuguese level, fish-monitoring experience, foreign-degree recognition or enrolment status, leave your question in the comments below the article. Mention your degree and practical field experience, and we can help you judge whether one of these four University of Évora fellowships is realistically worth pursuing.