Merit scholarship (bolsa por mérito)
Bolsa por Mérito ·Administered by Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior
The bolsa por mérito rewards exceptional academic performance regardless of income. It is worth five times the national minimum wage (RMMG) at the start of the academic year — €4,350 in 2025/26 — and institutions award it ex officio within a quota set by DGES; at most institutions there is nothing to apply for.
Who qualifies
- Passed all curricular units of the previous academic year
- Grade average of 16/20 or higher
- Selected within your institution's quota — no means test
How to apply
Usually nothing to apply for — institutions identify and nominate eligible students ex officio.
Sources
- Bolsa por mérito — DGES (retrieved 10 July 2026)
- IAS e RMMG — valores de referência — DGAEP (retrieved 10 July 2026)
Last verified 10 July 2026
Related programs
Erasmus+ mobility grant· Erasmus+
€400 – €650 per month
€400–650 per month for studying or interning abroad from a Portuguese institution — cumulable with the DGES bolsa, plus a €250/month top-up for fewer-opportunities students.
Santander Foundation grants· Bolsas Fundação Santander
€500 – €1,000 one-time
488 one-time grants of €500, €750 or €1,000 for students with limited means at partner institutions (2026 first edition).