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The PhD in Public Administration at Iscte stands out as a reference program, focused on advanced research and innovation in the public sector.
This program combines a solid theoretical foundation with an applied approach, equipping students to analyze and propose solutions to the complex challenges faced by contemporary public administrations.
The integration of doctoral students into the CIES research center and the interaction with the Institute for Public and Social Policies provide an ecosystem with advanced resources, academic networks (both national and international), and opportunities for the development of research projects. The course fosters a conducive environment for scientific production, participation in research groups, article publication, and integration into global initiatives and forums.
With an experienced faculty and a curriculum that addresses both the foundational and contemporary issues in the field, the program prepares doctoral students to actively contribute to the advancement of Public Administration, nationally and internationally, through applied research and innovative solutions aligned with the demands of the public sector in the 21st century.
PhD Scholarships
More information available here.
FCT Studentships
PhD Studentships in All Scientific Fields 2026, under the Regular Line of Application and the Specific Line Application in a Non-academic Environment.
Applications are open between 2 March and 17.00 p.m. (Lisbon time) of 31 March, 2026.
For candidates whose applications are approved with CIES-Iscte as the Host Institution, a Zoom session will be organized to support the preparation of applications and to clarify any questions.
All interested candidates, including members of the CIES-Iscte team and PhD students from CIES-Iscte doctoral programmes, must submit an expression of interest by sending the following information via email to concursos.cies@iscte-iul.pt until 10 March 2026.
Find out more here.
Doctor-AP Program
The Doctor-AP Program, launched by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), is a new initiative aimed at strengthening the scientific skills of professionals in the Portuguese Public Administration.
This program offers financial support for carrying out Scientific Research and Technological Development (IC&DT) activities, with a view to obtaining the academic degree of doctor.
It aims to promote the dedication of time to research, financing this time and encouraging scientific advancement within public institutions and the personal development of their employees.
The program is focused on professionals in different areas, such as Health (including technicians, doctors and nurses), Education (such as primary and secondary school teachers), Culture (such as museum and library technicians), Justice, as well as employees of municipalities, general secretariats, management authorities and other public entities.
According to information released by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), further editions of the PhD Scholarship Call – Association Line (AP) are expected, although the opening date for the next call has not yet been announced.
More details about this opportunity can be find here.
General Regulatory Standards for Iscte Doctorate Degrees (2026) | PT (starting in the 2026/27 academic year)
ESPP International PhD Conferences Cycle
ESPP Doctoral Colloquium | 25, 26 & 27 of May 2026 (programme available soon)
2026/2027
The curriculum of the PhD in Public Administration has been designed to provide a holistic interdisciplinary education, enabling students to explore the most relevant topics in the field. It includes essential course units aimed at building in-
depth and integrated knowledge. These encompass thematic seminars, research methodologies, and guidance for thesis development, equipping students with the necessary tools for independent and high-quality research while fostering a balanced integration of theory and practice.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Research Methods | 1 | 18.0 |
| Public Administration Seminar: Theories and models of State and Public Administration | 1 | 18.0 |
| Research Project Seminar in Public Administration | 1 | 18.0 |
| Public Policy: Theories and Models | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended optative
N. A.
Extra-Curricular Units
Students can complement their training with extra-curricular units related to areas such as Administration and Public Policy, Public Management, Political Science, Education, Finance, Health, Advanced Research Methods, among others. Free elective courses in these areas provide a theoretical and methodological depth that contributes to enriching the academic path and the personalisation of research projects.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| PhD Thesis in Public Administration Thesis in Public Administration | 1 | 180.0 |
Recommended optative
N. A.
Extra-Curricular Units
Students can complement their training with extra-curricular units related to areas such as Administration and Public Policy, Public Management, Political Science, Education, Finance, Health, Advanced Research Methods, among others. Free elective courses in these areas provide a theoretical and methodological depth that contributes to enriching the academic path and the personalisation of research projects.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
N. A.
Extra-Curricular Units
Students can complement their training with extra-curricular units related to areas such as Administration and Public Policy, Public Management, Political Science, Education, Finance, Health, Advanced Research Methods, among others. Free elective courses in these areas provide a theoretical and methodological depth that contributes to enriching the academic path and the personalisation of research projects.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
N. A.
Extra-Curricular Units
Students can complement their training with extra-curricular units related to areas such as Administration and Public Policy, Public Management, Political Science, Education, Finance, Health, Advanced Research Methods, among others. Free elective courses in these areas provide a theoretical and methodological depth that contributes to enriching the academic path and the personalisation of research projects.
The Doctorate in Public Administration aims to develop knowledge, skills and competences in the area of Public Administration, in particular:
The faculty of the PhD in Public Administration is composed of academics with recognized expertise and professionals with established experience in the public sector. These specialists combine cutting-edge research, both theoretical and applied, with a close connection to administrative realities, offering students rigorous and personalized guidance.
The faculty members are actively involved in national and international scientific networks, fostering the development of collaborative projects and the integration of doctoral students into global initiatives. This dynamic and interdisciplinary academic environment promotes critical thinking, innovation, and excellence in scientific production.
Director
David Alexandre Correira Ferraz
Faculty
Claúdia Patrícia da Cruz Pereira
David Alexandre Correira Ferraz
Filipe Miguel Ramos de Abreu Nunes
José António Afonso Santana Pereira Santucci
Maria do Carmo Severino Duarte Grilo Botelho
Maria José Dias Carocinho Sousa
Tiago Luís de Matos Roma Fernandes
2025/2026
| Round | Start Date | End Date | Vacancies | Application fee | Reservation fee | candidacy.reservation_fee_international |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2025-12-15 09:30 | 2026-01-14 17:00 | 5 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 2nd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-01-15 09:30 | 2026-02-25 17:00 | 5 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 3rd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-02-26 09:30 | 2026-04-06 17:00 | 10 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 4th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-04-07 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | 5 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
Applications from holders of a master's degree or legal equivalent in any scientific area are accepted.
Applications may also be accepted from:
a) holders of a bachelor's degree or legal equivalent in any scientific area, holders of a particularly relevant academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting the ability to carry out this cycle of studies;
b) holders of a specially recognized academic, scientific or professional curriculum, attesting to the ability to complete the study cycle.
Required documents:
a) Updated curriculum vitae;
b) Research project plan or motivation letter;
c) Certificates/diplomas of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees (and, where applicable, of other courses or diplomas obtained in higher education). Documents certifying the final classification obtained for the completion of the degrees must be submitted, together with the corresponding positive grading scale, for certificates issued by foreign institutions.
d) Document(s) proving the curricular units completed to obtain the degree(s), respective classifications and duration of the course(s);
e) Civil identification document (citizen card, passport or equivalent legal document);
f) Digital passport photograph.
Please consult the Specific criteria for the selection and ranking of applications defined for this doctoral programme.
For information on the application procedure in Fénix+, we also recommend consulting the page https://www.iscte-iul.pt/contents/estudar/1013/candidaturas#.