If you’re an ambitious doctoral candidate in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) looking for something exceptional, the CMU Portugal dual-degree PhD scholarships might just be the perfect fit. Offering a rare chance to combine study in Portugal and the U.S., this fully-funded opportunity is built around collaboration, innovation and global impact. Here’s everything you need to know to see if this is your moment.
- Program: Scholarship – Dual Degree PhD (CMU Portugal)
- Coverage: Fully funded scholarships
- Nationality: International (with eligibility per call)
- Degree level: Doctoral (PhD level)
- Host institutions: Participating Portuguese universities & Carnegie Mellon University (USA)
- Host countries: Portugal & USA
- Duration: Typical PhD duration (≈ 5 years)
- Fields of study: ICT-related areas (Computer Science, ECE, etc.)
- Deadline: December 2025 (varies by program)
Purpose of the Program
The CMU Portugal Program is a strategic partnership involving Carnegie Mellon University and Portuguese universities, research institutions and companies. Launched in 2006 and now in its third phase (2018-2030), its mission is to place Portugal at the forefront of research and innovation in ICT by tightly coupling graduate education, research and industry collaboration.
Specifically, the dual-degree PhD scholarships aim to:
- Enable doctoral students to conduct research both in Portugal and at CMU, U.S., under joint supervision.
- Build an ecosystem of innovation linking academia and industry, with strong ICT focus such as big data, AI, machine learning, language technologies, cloud engineering, and public policy.
- Foster international competitiveness of Portuguese research institutions by leveraging world-class partnerships.
In short, this isn’t just a scholarship—it’s a platform to launch your research and career on a global stage.
Eligibility
Here are the key eligibility criteria for the Dual Degree PhD scholarships under the CMU Portugal Program:
- Applicants must apply through the relevant PhD admissions page at CMU, indicating interest in the CMU Portugal dual degree option.
- Applicants come from international backgrounds (not restricted to Portuguese nationals), though specific calls may have nationality/residence conditions.
- For dual degree PhD: you’ll be co-supervised by at least two advisors — one at CMU (US) and one at the Portuguese partner university.
- Doctoral programme requirements (GRE, TOEFL/IELTS) depend on the specific CMU department’s policy—check each programme’s admissions page.
- The typical timeline of the dual-degree remains the same as the regular PhD programme at CMU and Portuguese university; residence in both places does not extend length.
- You should identify a potential advisor at CMU and in a Portuguese partner university before applying.
It’s wise to check the detailed call for your year, as specific fields, deadlines, and rules may vary.
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Benefits & What You Get
When you’re admitted, here’s what makes this scholarship offering strong and unique:
- Dual degree: Upon completion, you receive a PhD degree from CMU and from the Portuguese university for the dual-degree track.
- Fully funded scholarship: For many of the dual-degree PhD tracks, funding is provided via this program (through FCT and partners) so you can focus on research.
- Global research exposure: You’ll spend part of your research time in Portugal collaborating with Portuguese institutions, part at CMU in the U.S.—challenging, but rewarding.
- Access to high-impact networks: With strong industry links and world-renowned faculty, you’ll be plugged into a research ecosystem with real world relevance.
- Innovation-oriented environment: Because the program emphasises industry-academia collaboration, your research has potential for application, entrepreneurship and impact.
In short, you’re not just earning a PhD—you’re entering a platform that supports major scholarly ambition in ICT.
Fields of Study
Eligible PhD tracks are anchored in ICT disciplines. The main ones listed include:
- Computer Science (CS)
- Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE)
- Cognitive Neuroscience (within the ICT broad umbrella)
- Other ICT-related tracks: language technologies, AI, machine learning, data science, cloud engineering and public policy in tech.
The exact list of tracks may change year to year depending on the call. For example, for the 2026/2027 cycle the Call open from 1 October 2025 includes Cognitive Neuroscience, Computer Science and Electrical & Computer Engineering.
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Deadline & Application Process
Deadline: For the 2026/2027 dual degree PhD call:
- Applications open 1 October 2025.
- Example deadlines: Computer Science – 10 December 2025 (3 p.m. EST); Electrical & Computer Engineering – 15 December 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST).
Application process:
- Visit the admissions page of the specific CMU department you wish to join (e.g., School of Computer Science, ECE).
- Choose the “Dual Degree PhD – CMU Portugal” option and apply via the CMU application portal.
- Identify and secure an advisor at CMU and partner Portuguese university; attach any required support letters.
- Submit standard PhD-application materials: statement of purpose, CV, transcripts, letters of recommendation (often 2), proof of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) if applicable.
- After submission before deadline, wait for result notification (dates vary by department).
- If admitted, you’ll coordinate enrolment in both the Portuguese partner university and CMU, and plan your research plan split across both locations.
Tip: Start early. Because you must secure a CMU advisor and partner supervisor in Portugal, reaching out proactively helps. Check previous lists of faculty and research areas affiliated with CMU Portugal to identify fit.
Final Thoughts & Encouragement
Applying to a dual-degree PhD like this can feel daunting—lots of moving parts, international logistics, high expectations—but it also offers a rare reward. If you’re drawn to innovation in ICT, excited by the idea of collaborating across continents, and ready to engage deeply with research and industry, the CMU Portugal dual-degree scholarship might just be your perfect match.
Make sure you tailor your application: clearly articulate your research motivation, show why you’re a fit for both CMU and the Portuguese partner institution, mention how your work can bridge academia and industry, and highlight any international / collaborative experiences you have.
Don’t wait until the last minute—the earlier you secure potential supervisors at both institutions and craft your materials, the smoother your journey will be. And remember: this is not just about a degree. It’s about stepping into a global research ecosystem, building networks, and positioning yourself for impact.
If your passion lies in ICT and you’re ready for a PhD path that challenges, inspires and opens doors—go for it. Best of luck with your application!