Deadline: 11-Sep-2026
The FCT and DAAD joint funding opportunity supports international research collaboration through researcher mobility within joint scientific projects. The programme is designed to strengthen cooperation between research teams from Portugal and the partner country by funding structured exchange activities.
Projects may last up to 24 months and may be renewed annually under the conditions set out in the programme regulations. FCT provides annual funding of €2,500 per project for the Portuguese side.
What is the FCT and DAAD Joint Funding Opportunity?
The FCT and DAAD joint funding opportunity supports researcher mobility within international collaborative research projects.
The programme enables research teams from participating countries to work together through structured exchange actions.
It is intended to strengthen scientific cooperation, promote international research networks, and support joint project development between researchers and institutions.
Main Purpose of the Programme
The main purpose of the programme is to foster researcher exchange actions.
The funding supports mobility activities that take place within the framework of international collaborative projects.
The programme helps researchers build partnerships, exchange knowledge, coordinate scientific work, and strengthen long-term cooperation between research teams.
Focus Areas and Priorities
The call focuses on international research collaboration and scientific exchange.
Key focus areas include:
- International researcher mobility
- Researcher exchange actions
- Joint research projects
- Scientific collaboration
- Cross-border academic cooperation
- International research networks
- Mobility within collaborative projects
- Cooperation between Portuguese and foreign research teams
- Structured research partnerships
- Knowledge exchange between institutions
Key Concepts Explained
Researcher Mobility
Researcher mobility refers to the movement of researchers between participating countries for project-related activities.
This may include short research stays, meetings, workshops, field visits, laboratory work, project coordination, or scientific exchange.
International Collaborative Projects
International collaborative projects involve research teams from at least two countries working together on a shared scientific objective.
Under this call, the mobility funding must be connected to a joint project and should support meaningful cooperation between the participating teams.
Joint Application
A joint application means that Principal Investigators from both participating countries prepare a coordinated proposal.
Each team then submits its application separately to its own national funding agency.
The Portuguese team submits to FCT, while the foreign team submits to the corresponding organisation in its country.
Project Duration
Projects funded under this call may have a maximum duration of 24 months.
Projects may be renewed annually under the conditions set out in Articles 13 and 14 of the programme regulations.
Applicants should design a realistic work plan that fits within the project duration and mobility funding structure.
Funding Amount
The annual funding provided by FCT is €2,500 per project.
This funding applies to the Portuguese side of the collaboration.
The support is intended to contribute to researcher mobility and exchange activities within the international project.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include non-business entities that are part of the Portuguese National System of Science and Technology.
Eligible Portuguese applicants may include:
- Higher education institutions
- Institutes linked to Higher education institutions
- R&D units
- State laboratories based in Portugal
- International laboratories based in Portugal
- Private non-profit institutions whose main activity is research and development
- Other public or private non-profit institutions involved in scientific research activities
- Companies of any legal form
Applicants should ensure that their institution meets the programme’s eligibility requirements before preparing a proposal.
Principal Investigator Requirements
Applications must be prepared jointly by Principal Investigators from both participating countries.
The Portuguese Principal Investigator is responsible for submitting the Portuguese team’s application to FCT.
The foreign Principal Investigator is responsible for submitting the corresponding application to the relevant national funding organisation in their own country.
Both Principal Investigators should coordinate the project objectives, mobility plan, timeline, expected outputs, and institutional roles.
What the Funding Supports
The programme supports mobility within international research projects.
Supported activities may include:
- Research visits
- Scientific meetings
- Project coordination visits
- Knowledge exchange activities
- Collaborative research planning
- Joint workshops or technical sessions
- Short-term researcher exchanges
- Activities that strengthen international cooperation
The funded mobility should be directly connected to the objectives of the joint research project.
How the Programme Works
The programme operates through coordinated applications submitted in both participating countries.
The Portuguese team prepares its application for FCT.
The partner team prepares its application for the relevant funding organisation in its own country.
Both applications should describe the same collaborative project and show how researcher mobility will support the project’s scientific goals.
Funding decisions are made according to the rules and procedures of the respective national funding agencies.
How to Apply
Applicants should first identify a suitable international research partner and develop a shared project idea.
The Principal Investigators from both countries should jointly prepare the project concept, mobility plan, research objectives, expected results, and timeline.
The Portuguese team must submit its application to FCT.
The foreign team must submit its application to the corresponding organisation in its own country.
Both submissions should be aligned and should clearly demonstrate the value of the international collaboration.
Suggested Application Steps
- Identify a research partner in the participating country.
- Confirm that both institutions are eligible under their respective national rules.
- Appoint one Principal Investigator from Portugal and one Principal Investigator from the partner country.
- Define the joint research objective.
- Prepare a mobility plan explaining who will travel, why the mobility is needed, and how it supports the project.
- Develop a work plan for up to 24 months.
- Confirm the annual FCT funding amount of €2,500 per project for the Portuguese side.
- Ensure both applications contain consistent project information.
- Submit the Portuguese application to FCT.
- Submit the foreign partner application to the corresponding national funding organisation.
Why It Matters
International researcher mobility strengthens scientific cooperation by allowing research teams to work directly with partners abroad.
The FCT and DAAD programme helps researchers build long-term partnerships, share expertise, access complementary knowledge, and develop joint scientific outputs.
The funding is especially useful for collaborative projects that need coordination, exchange visits, and structured cooperation between research teams in different countries.
By supporting mobility, the programme helps strengthen international research networks and improves the quality and reach of scientific collaboration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting only one side of the application.
Both participating teams must submit separately to their respective national funding agencies.
The Portuguese team should not submit to the foreign funding body, and the foreign team should not submit to FCT.
Applicants should avoid proposing mobility activities that are not clearly linked to a joint research project.
Applications should not provide inconsistent information between the Portuguese and foreign submissions.
Applicants should also avoid unrealistic mobility plans, unclear project objectives, or weak explanations of how the exchange will strengthen collaboration.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly explain the scientific value of the international partnership.
The proposal should show why mobility is necessary for the success of the project.
Applicants should describe the roles of both research teams and demonstrate balanced cooperation.
The mobility plan should be realistic, purposeful, and directly connected to project activities.
The application should include clear expected outcomes, such as joint publications, workshops, research outputs, future project development, or long-term institutional cooperation.
Applicants should also ensure that both national submissions are coordinated and consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the FCT and DAAD joint funding opportunity?
It is a funding opportunity that supports international research collaboration through researcher mobility within joint scientific projects.
2. What is the main objective of the programme?
The main objective is to foster researcher exchange actions and strengthen collaborative scientific cooperation between research teams from participating countries.
3. How long can projects last?
Projects may have a maximum duration of 24 months.
4. Can projects be renewed?
Yes. Projects may be renewed annually under the conditions set out in Articles 13 and 14 of the programme regulations.
5. How much funding does FCT provide?
FCT provides annual funding of €2,500 per project for the Portuguese side.
6. Who can apply from Portugal?
Eligible Portuguese applicants include higher education institutions, R&D units, state or international laboratories based in Portugal, private non-profit R&D institutions, other public or private non-profit research institutions, and companies of any legal form.
7. How are applications submitted?
Applications must be prepared jointly by Principal Investigators from both participating countries. The Portuguese team submits to FCT, while the foreign team submits to the corresponding organisation in its own country.
Conclusion
The FCT and DAAD joint funding opportunity supports international researcher mobility within collaborative scientific projects.
With projects lasting up to 24 months and annual FCT funding of €2,500 per project, the programme helps Portuguese and foreign research teams strengthen cooperation, exchange knowledge, and build structured international partnerships.
Applicants should prepare coordinated applications, demonstrate clear scientific value, align both national submissions, and show how mobility will directly support the success of the joint research project.
For more information, visit Foundation for Science and Technology.
