Explorer Investments Excellence Scholarship
The purpose of the Explorer Investments Excellence Scholarship is to guarantee the continuation of studies in higher education for students with an excellent and innovative profile, who demonstrate a desire to create a positive impact on society, with academic performance.
The Explorer Investments Excellence Scholarship is designed to support students with an excellent and innovative profile who demonstrate a desire to make a positive impact on society through academic performance in continuing their higher education studies.
The scholarship is awarded in cash to candidates for the 2026/2027 academic year, to be used towards the cost of one of the following master's programmes:
• MSc in Accounting and Management Control
• MSc in Economics
• MSc in Financial Mathematics (lecture in Portuguese)
• MSc in Business Analytics (lecture in Portuguese)
• MSc in Business Economics and Competition (lecture in Portuguese)
• MSc Finance
• MSc in Management
• MSc in Business Management
• MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management
• MSc in International Management
You can see the Regulations here (in Portuguese only).
Application process and requirements:
For the purpose of awarding the Explorer Investmens Excellence Scholarship, students are considered eligible if:
- Must be enrolled on one of the above Master's degrees offered by Iscte and have applied in the first application phase. If there are no suitable candidates in the first phase, those who applied in the second phase may be considered.
- they are enrolled in a minimum of 60 ECTS;
- They have completed their 1st degree in Higher Education with a final average equal to or greater than 15,5 points;
- they are residents in Portugal for more than 3 years;
- Undertake, during the period in which they receive the scholarship, to collaborate in activities of interest to society when requested to do so by Iscte, always in a way that is compatible with their teaching obligations and these activities may not exceed 10 hours per week;
- Does not benefit from other scholarships except those awarded by DGES through Iscte's Social Services;
Further eligible conditions, have to be consulted in the Regulations (in Portuguese only).
The Explorer Investmens Excellence Scholarship:
- is intended for the payment of annual tuition fees;
- the value of the master's degree tuition fee at the time of award will be considered and paid annually:
1st year: maximum outstanding tuition fee - € 7,000
2nd year: € 2,800
The Explorer Investments Excellence Scholarship is awarded for the duration of the Master's degree (maximum 2 years), with the condition that the full amount of the scholarship will be returned if the student who receives it does not complete the Master's degree within 2 consecutive academic years.
- To be considered for the Explorer Investments Excellence Scholarship, you must submit an application to Iscte Business School.
- The application must be submitted by completing a specific form and accompanied by the necessary documents to prove the information provided.
a)Form - Click here (soon available)
- Candidates must accompany their application with a cover letter and a video of up to three minutes in which they explain their motivations for obtaining the Explorer Investments Excellence scholarship and which contains the following questions:
a) Tell us about yourself!
b) What made you choose this master’s and field of expertise?
c) What do you expect from this master's degree?
d) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
You can consult the video preparation guide here. (in Portuguese only).
Please note: Only videos that comply with the guidelines in this Preparation Guide will be analyzed.
- Iscte Business School will appoint the committee responsible for screening the videos, which will select 3 profiles that stand out for the way they convey in the video their spirit of initiative, motivation and commitment to life and the goals they want to achieve.
- An interview with Explorer Investments, either in person or online, may be part of the process of deciding whether to award the scholarship.
The video and documents requested must be sent to: (soon available)
Further eligible conditions, have to be consulted in the Regulations (in Portuguese only).
The deadlines for submitting and assessing applications are published on the official Iscte website every year.
Analysis and Decision Competence
Analysis competence:
Applications for Explorer Investments Excellence Scholarships are analysed by the Iscte Business School.
Decision competence:
- The decision on Explorer Investments Excellence Scholarship applications is the responsibility of Explorer Investments, based on an analysis of the submitted letter and videos, and an interview (if requested).
- The decision of Explorer Investments is final.
- The following are grounds for rejecting an application:
a) Submission of the application and the required supporting documents after the deadline;
b) An incomplete application;
Failure to provide the requested additional information within the set deadline for reasons attributable to the applicant;
(d) Other reasons deemed acceptable by Explorer Investments. - Applications will also be rejected outright if students:
a) Have not fulfilled all their commitments to ISCTE (including the payment of tuition and other fees, the return of any equipment or study materials entrusted to them, and the fulfilment of any other obligations to ISCTE);
b) Have any proven indication of non-compliance with the rules governing teaching activities or knowledge assessments in their individual file as Iscte students.
Fundação José Neves | Income Share Agreement
The José Neves Foundation, a non-profit organization, is focused on education and the acquisition of transformative skills, with the mission of putting the country at the forefront of human development. To achieve this goal, it strives to create practical programs that allow any citizen to find solutions to continue learning throughout life.
One of these programs, ISA FJN, aims to support access to courses and training that develop the skills of the future and are aligned with the needs of tomorrow. The ISA FJN is based on the Income Share Agreement model, in which the José Neves Foundation pays the tuition fee for the chosen course, and the student will only repay the amount when they earn above a predetermined amount. This program is guaranteed by the European Investment Fund and audited by Ernst & Young.
In this context, Iscte Business School and the José Neves Foundation have established a partnership which seeks to empower students who need financial support to invest in their training and which covers all of Iscte Business School's Masters Programs.
Click here to find out what the requirements are and how to apply!
DGES Scholarships
1. Scholarship
The scholarship is an annual cash payment to help cover the costs of attending a course or undertaking a compulsory professional internship, awarded outright and in the respective academic year, whenever the student does not have an adequate level of financial resources.
The grant is valid for one academic year, must be renewed every year and the amount is variable, as it depends on the household's income.
For more information, click here! (Available in Portuguese)
2. Merit Scholarship
The Merit Scholarship is a fixed-rate cash benefit for students who have shown exceptional academic achievement, fully supported by the budget of the Ministry responsible for Higher Education.
It is not necessary for the student to apply. Candidates are selected from lists of students provided by the Teaching Management Services in accordance with the eligibility criteria, and their identification and ranking is the responsibility of a jury appointed by the Chair of the Pedagogical Council.
For more information, click here! (Available in Portuguese)
Duarte Tarré Scholarships
ADT - Associação Duarte Tarré - grants are awarded individually to higher education students who have financial difficulties in pursuing their academic education. Covering the whole of Portugal, this program awards a minimum of 25 social grants every year. Active since 2012, this support for students has already benefited more than 225 people.
For more information on the application process and requirements, click here! (only available in Portuguese)
Leões de Portugal – Associação de Solidariedade Sportinguista, IPSS
The Board of Leões de Portugal - Associação de Solidariedade Sportinguista, IPSS awards scholarships every year.
For more information on the application process and requirements, click here! (only available in Portuguese)
Oeiras City Council Scholarships
1. Scholarships
Every year, Oeiras City Council awards scholarships to residents entering or attending the 1st and 2nd cycles of higher education, depending on the income of the household, who live in the municipality and are entering or attending higher education.
For more information on the application process and regulations, click here! (only available in Portuguese)
All information and clarifications should be requested from Oeiras City Council.
2. PALOP Scholarships
Oeiras City Council awards scholarships to National Higher Education Students from PALOP - Portuguese-speaking African countries, from municipalities with which the Municipality of Oeiras has Cooperation and Twinning Agreements.
For more information click here! (only available in Portuguese)
All information and clarifications should be requested from Oeiras City Council.
Gulbenkian Scholarships
1. Gulbenkian Merit Scholarships
The Gulbenkian Merit Scholarships are designed to support young people with high potential who are applying to higher education for the first time and who have limited financial resources.
For more information on the Application Process, Regulations and Frequently Asked Questions, click here! (available in Portuguese).
2. Gulbenkian New Talent Scholarships
These scholarships are aimed at exceptional students in Portuguese higher education, promoting their talent and stimulating research initiation.
For more information on the Application Process, Regulations and Frequently Asked Questions, click here! (available in Portuguese)
Sara Carreira Association Scholarships
The Sara Carreira Association awards scholarships to students up to the age of 21, helping them to continue their education.
For more information on the application process and regulations, click here! (available in Portuguese)
Corações Com Coroa Association Scholarships
The Corações Com Coroa association has been awarding scholarships to young girls across the country since 2013.
For more information on the application process and requirements, click here! (available in Portuguese).
BAI Europa - Confidence in the Future Scholarships
The BAI Europa Scholarships - Confidence in the Future are the result of a protocol signed between Iscte and BAI Europa Bank with the aim to promote equal opportunities in Higher Education and support the student's individual effort.
You can find the regulation here!
For more information about these scholarships and rules for the attribution see the Iscte website here.
(all forms are only available in Portuguese).
EPIS SOCIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The EPIS Social Scholarships aim to support needy students during their secondary and university education, support the professional integration of young people with disabilities and reward good practices in promoting the social inclusion of children and young people and sustainability and active citizenship.
This program has national coverage: all schools, institutions and students in Portugal (Mainland, Azores and Madeira) - students who have finished 9th grade or 12th grade in inclusive, regular or vocational education, or who have finished post-secondary or undergraduate courses.
For more information on the application process and requirements, click here! (only available in Portuguese)
