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Organization responsible for coordinating and implementing public policies in the field of higher education.

Student Support and Innovation

The Portuguese public higher education system integrates a structured set of social and academic support measures designed to promote equal opportunities in access to, attendance at, and completion of study cycles, contributing to the removal of constraints of an economic, social, geographical nature or arising from the specific needs of students.

Social action in higher education constitutes a fundamental instrument of national educational policy, and is framed, in particular, by... Law No. 62/2007, which establishes the general principles of the higher education system, and by Decree-Law No. 129/93, which defines the basis for social action in higher education. This framework is complemented by various specific laws and regulations that govern the conditions for granting support, the eligibility criteria, and the applicable procedures.

In this context, students in public higher education can benefit from a wide range of support, including scholarships, mobility grants, emergency aid, support for accommodation, food, transport, specific support for students with disabilities or impairments, measures to support internationalization, programs to encourage academic merit, and other forms of direct and indirect social action promoted by the State and higher education institutions.

The provision of these mechanisms aims to ensure that the socioeconomic conditions of students do not constitute an obstacle to the pursuit of their academic path, while simultaneously promoting equity, inclusion, social cohesion and academic success in higher education.

The following sections present the different types of support available within the public higher education system, as well as the respective background information, access requirements, and other elements relevant to their allocation and implementation.

Pessoas 2030

In the eligible regions – North, Center and Alentejo – scholarships, grants for students with disabilities and grants from the +Superior Program are co-financed by the ESF – European Social Fund, within the framework of PEOPLE 2030 – Thematic Program Demography, Qualifications and Inclusion .

Algarve 2030

In the Algarve region, scholarships, tuition assistance grants for students with disabilities, and scholarships from the +Superior Program are co-financed by the ESF – European Social Fund, within the framework of the Algarve Regional Program – Algarve 2030 .

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Support aimed at promoting access to, attendance at, and completion of higher education, reducing economic, social, and territorial inequalities.

Accommodation (PNAES)

Affordable and suitable accommodation for displaced students is essential to promoting access to and attendance at higher education.

Accommodation allowance for non-scholarship holders

Accommodation support reduces the costs for students from outside the area attending higher education.

Counter IncluIES

The IncluiES Helpdesk provides information and promotes best practices, collaboration, and international mobility in supporting the higher education community with disabilities.

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Within the framework of the social action system for public higher education, several financial support instruments are available to promote equal opportunities, inclusion, and academic success for students. Among these, the following stand out: Social Action Scholarships, intended for economically disadvantaged students; the +Superior Program, which encourages attendance at institutions located in less densely populated areas; Scholarships for Students with Disabilities, aimed at students with a disability rating of 60% or higher; and Scholarships for Teacher Training Courses, created to encourage the pursuit of training leading to professional qualification for teaching in areas identified as priorities for the education system.

These support measures, although distinct in their objectives, recipients, and allocation criteria, share the common goal of ensuring that economic, social, territorial factors, or those arising from specific needs, do not constitute obstacles to accessing, attending, and completing a cycle of studies in higher education. Their allocation is governed by specific legislation and regulations, and is managed by [the relevant authority/organization]. Institute for Higher Education – IES, IP., in conjunction with higher education institutions and their respective social services.

The following sections present the main characteristics of each of these support modalities, including their respective objectives, eligibility conditions, application procedures, and applicable regulatory framework.

Scholarships

Social Action Scholarships constitute financial support granted by the State to higher education students who demonstrate economic hardship, with the aim of contributing to the costs associated with attending a course of study.

This support aims to promote equal opportunities in access to and retention in higher education, contributing to academic success and the reduction of social inequalities.

The awarding of scholarships is governed by current legislation and regulations, with the process being overseen by the Social Action Services or Offices of higher education institutions.

Find all the information here.

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

The initiative “"Inclusion for Knowledge"” This aims to promote equal opportunities in access to higher education, ensuring better conditions for inclusion and participation for students with special needs. Within this framework, specific support has been created for students with a disability rating of 60% or higher, facilitating access to and retention in higher education.

Through this measure, eligible students can benefit from a scholarship corresponding to the tuition fees actually paid, up to the limit currently set at... 2,750 euros, contributing to the reduction of costs associated with attending a course and to the promotion of academic success.

Find all the information here.

Scholarships for Teacher Training Courses

Since 2024-2025, the following have been assigned scholarships for attending courses courses taught at Higher Education Institutions leading to professional qualification for teaching, specifically:

  • For students entering study programs leading to the degree of Bachelor's degree in Basic Education;
  • For students entering master's degree programs in specializations that qualify them for teaching , corresponding to recruitment groups with shortages.

In each academic year, a maximum total of 2500 scholarships may be awarded.

O The scholarship amount corresponds to the tuition fee due, up to the maximum tuition fee amount. fixed for the respective study cycle of public higher education.

Students enrolled in degree programs leading to a Bachelor's degree in Basic Education who are awarded a scholarship benefit from its annual renewal, provided they maintain satisfactory academic performance, up to a maximum of two renewals.

Beneficiaries enrolled in master's degree programs undertake to apply for teacher recruitment competitions for the three years following the completion of their master's degree program, under the terms and conditions set out in current legislation. This obligation to participate in teacher recruitment competitions does not apply to beneficiaries enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in Basic Education .

Beneficiaries may also renounce the scholarship award, and must exercise this right in their response to the notification of its award. Renunciation of the scholarship will result in the repayment of any funds already received under this measure.

The application schedules for the scholarship allocation process are set by order of the President of the Board of Directors of IES, IP, and can be consulted in "Documents," as can the lists ranking eligible students enrolled in either the Bachelor's degree in Basic Education or in master's degree programs that qualify them to teach.

LEGISLATION

DOCUMENTS

Academic year 2026-2027

Academic year 2025-2026

Academic year 2024-2025

Superior Program

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 36 of Decree-Law No. 148/2026, of July 20, the +Superior Program was revoked, without prejudice to the safeguard provision set out in Article 35 of the same legal instrument.

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Accommodation
National Plan for Accommodation in Higher Education (PNAES)

The National Plan for Student Accommodation in Higher Education (PNAES) is a state initiative aimed at strengthening the supply of student accommodation at affordable prices, promoting better conditions for access, attendance and academic success in higher education.

Through the construction, rehabilitation, and modernization of student residences, the PNAES (National Program for Student Accommodation) seeks to meet the accommodation needs of students living away from home, contributing to the reduction of costs associated with attending higher education and promoting equal opportunities.

This plan constitutes an important instrument of social action, reinforcing the welcoming capacity of higher education institutions and supporting the retention of students throughout their academic journey.

Learn more at PNAES.PT

Accommodation allowance for non-scholarship holders

Accommodation support aims to minimize the costs associated with relocating from one's usual residence to attend higher education, and is a fundamental measure for students who have to move away from their place of residence.

This support can be provided through access to student residences, the allocation of accommodation supplements integrated into the scholarship, or, where applicable, specific support aimed at contributing to housing expenses, promoting adequate conditions for academic success and retention.

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Counter IncluIES

Included in the "Inclusion for Knowledge" Program promoted by Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, The IncluiES Help Desk, which brings together content on disability support resulting from partnerships with various entities and associations, has the following main objectives:

  • Providing information on support for people with disabilities in higher education;
  • To promote and publicize the different services offered by higher education institutions in supporting people with disabilities;
  • To disseminate and promote good practices in the field of disability;
  • To promote collaboration and the exchange of information between higher education institutions in supporting students, faculty, and researchers.;
  • Raising awareness of disability in higher education;
  • To promote the international mobility of students/teachers with disabilities within the European space through the Erasmus+ Program.

O Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation It prioritizes promoting accessibility to higher education and knowledge for citizens with special needs (students, faculty, non-teaching staff, and researchers) as a core objective, considering it an essential means for exercising the rights granted to any member of a democratic and inclusive society.

Updated on October 19, 2026