FCT extends for one month all the contracts of Studentship that it directly funds

Due to the exceptional measures decreed by the Government in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, last March 13, which will certainly cause constraints on the research work being carried out under the various contracts of Studentship, the FCT Board of Directors has decided to automatically extend for a period of one month the duration of all contracts of Studentship, which it funds directly and which are in force on March 13, 2020.

This period corresponds to the period of validity of the exceptional measures of suspension of activities, teaching and non-teaching, that take place face-to-face, determined by the Government (art. 9 of Decree-Law no. 10-A/2020, March 13) and that will be evaluated again after April 9, 2020. Depending on the results of this evaluation, FCT will decide on a possible new automatic extension for all Studentships. The grant holder retains all his rights during the extension period of Studentship, namely the right to the monthly maintenance allowance, which will continue to be fully paid under the terms of the contract. 

For grant recipients who develop activities abroad, the extension may have a longer duration, whenever the grant recipient proves to FCT that the foreign institution where the work plan is being developed was closed by the public health authorities of that country for a longer period. We ask grant recipients who are abroad to register at the following link, in order to inform the consular authorities of their situation: https://www.portaldascomunidades.mne.pt/pt/alertas/coronavirus-covid-22

Exceptional situations resulting from travel restrictions or other measures, for example regarding travel to and from abroad, or interruption of mobility, must be communicated to FCT, which will analyze them on a case-by-case basis so that the grant recipient and his/her research work are not jeopardized. 

FCT advises all grantees to adopt the prevention measures recommended by public health authorities and thanks the effort and commitment of all members of the scientific community in this exceptional period in which we all find ourselves.