Centro de Estudos em Música (CESEM), Universidade de Évora

Research Initiation Scholarship (BII) 

for a student enrolled in a degree programme (1 position)

 SOUNDFAIR Project

11 of March of 2026

A call for tenders is open for one Scholarship (BII) within the scope of the project The Soundscapes at the São João Fair in Évora between 1850 and 1974: Heritage and Musical practices, reference 2024.15968.PEX, financed by national funds through FCT/MCTES, under the following conditions:

Scientific area: Music; Musicology; History; Cultural Heritage

Admission requirements: The Research Initiation Scholarship is intended for a person enrolled in a study programme, with the aim of carrying out research on periodicals about the Feira de S. João (Évora) between 1850 and 1974, within the scope of the above-mentioned project.

a) Applicants may come from any of the scientific areas mentioned (Musicology; Music; History; Cultural Heritage), but they must be enrolled in a degree programme or in a non-degree programme (eliminatory requirement).

b) Applicants must have knowledge of data collection, processing and analysis; knowledge of Document Analysis methodology, particularly of periodicals; proficiency in MS Excel databases; proficiency in MS Word; and good text transcription skills.

c) Applicants must be available to carry out regular research at the National Library of Portugal (Lisbon) and the Évora Public Library (Évora).

According to FCT Research Grants Regulation No. 950/2019 of December 16, 2019, article 5, - BII (Initiation to Research Grants) cannot be awarded to those who have already benefited from research grants directly or indirectly funded by FCT, awarded under the Research Fellowship Statute.

Work plan

The work plan, within the scope of the FAIRSOUND project, consists of researching periodicals published between 1850 and 1974, with a particular focus on collecting news items, chronicles, advertisements and other information relating to the Feira de S. João in Évora.

It comprises ‘activities for the production and dissemination of knowledge, including research activities [...] and practice-based activities geared towards professional development, as well as the promotion of scientific culture, management and communication of science and technology’ (“Amendment and republication of the FCT Research Grant Regulations”, Diário da República, 07-01-2026, Art. 4, 1; p. 21). 

Accordingly, the following activities are included:

1. Surveying and selecting periodicals in circulation relating to Évora in the period between 1850 and 1974;
2. Collecting items relating to the Feira de S. João between 1850 and 1974 from periodicals of the time, with corresponding photography and transcription. Consultation of periodicals will be carried out at the National Library of Portugal (Lisbon) and the Évora Public Library (Évora);
3. Processing and analysing (categorising) the collected material in an Excel database;
4. Collaborating in dissemination initiatives related to the project and in project meetings.

Applicable legislation and regulations: The granting of the Research Scholarship will be carried out upon the signing of a contract between the University of Évora and the scholarship holder, according to the version in Annex I, pursuant to the Research Scholarship Statute (Law no. 40/2004 of August 18, as amended) and considering the provisions of other applicable legislation and regulations, namely, the Research Grant Regulations of the University of Évora (published by Order no. 8131/2024, of July 22, 2024), and the Research Grant Regulations of the Science and Technology Foundation, I.P. (Regulation no. 950/2019, of July 22, 2024). º 8131/2024, of July 22, 2024), https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/2s/2024/07/140000000/0035300366.pdf and in the Research Grants Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Regulation no. 950/2019, of December 16, as amended).

Place of work: The work will be carried out in different locations, namely at the National Library of Portugal in Lisbon; the Évora Public Library (Évora); and CESEM – University of Évora hub, under the general coordination of the Administrator of the University of Évora and the scientific supervision of Professor Doctor Pedro Moreira, Principal Researcher of the Project, who must draw up an opinion on the final activity report of the scholarship (Annex II), according to the draft in Annex III.

Duration of the scholarship: The scholarship will have a duration of 3 months, starting on May of 2026. The scholarship contract may be renewed up to a maximum of 3 months.

Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the scholarship corresponds to €651,12€ , according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tabela_valores_SMM_2025.pdf), payments being made monthly, by check or bank transfer.

Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following, with the respective valuation:

a) Motivation letter demonstrating suitability for the profile (1–2 pages): 20%.

b) CV with curricular evaluation: 40%.

c) Other activities, information and supplementary documents considered relevant: 20%.

d) Brief online interview, in Portuguese: 20%.

Submission of proof of enrolment in a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme, or in a non-degree course, is mandatory.

Composition of the Selection Jury:

President of the jury: Professor/PhD Pedro Moreira 

Effective member, vocal 1: Professor/PhD Vanda de Sá

Effective member, vocal 2: Professor/PhD Benoît Gibson

Surrogate member 1: Professor/PhD Doutor Eduardo Lopes

Surrogate member 2 – Professor/PhD Doutor Alexandre Diniz

Advertising/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation will be publicized, through an ordered list by final grade obtained posted in a visible and public place at Colégio Mateus d’Aranda – University of Évora (Rua do Raimundo), being the candidate approved notified through email and telephone.

To ensure the right of prior hearing of interested parties, the Final Classification project will be announced by any written means to all interested parties.

After communicating the provisional list of the results of the evaluation, candidates have a period of 10 working days to express their opinion in a preliminary hearing of interested parties. Based on the final ranking list, a reserve selection list will be drawn up, to be used for the possible recruitment of new scholarship holders within the scope of this project, up to the duration of the scholarship, which may be used in the eventuality of the first ranked candidate withdrawing, failing to present the mandatory documentation, or in the event of the scholarship holder canceling their scholarship early. In the eventuality that none of the candidates demonstrates the profile required to carry out the work plan, the jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship.

Application deadline and submission of applications: The tender is open from March 17 to March 31 of 2026 and the results of the selection will be published by April 7 of 2026. 

Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application letter with the following documents: 

a) Motivation letter demonstrating suitability for the profile (1–2 pages).

b) Curriculum Vitae including the curricular assessment (with an academic transcript/qualification certificate, if possible; grades obtained; certifications from other courses and/or training).

c) Other activities (e.g., participation in conferences, publications; an example of a research assignment completed and assessed within the scope of a study programme).

For the purposes of application, the evidence may be replaced by a declaration of honor signed by the candidate, but the failure to demonstrate that evidence, in the contracting phase, possession of the required degree on the deadline for application or the non-presentation of proof of enrollment in the study cycle or non-degree course, for scholarships with this component, imply the cancellation of the candidate's application.

Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require registration by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25th. 

The presentation of the certificate is mandatory for the signing of the contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/recognition?plid=374 

Applications must be sent by email to:

Prof. Pedro Moreira

CESEM – Polo da Universidade de Évora

E-mail: pfrmoreira@uevora.pt

Subject: “Scholarship BII (1)- SOUNDFAIR Project”

E-mail: pfrmoreira@uevora.pt 

ANNEX I, ANNEX II, ANNEX III:

https://www.uevora.pt/investigar/Oportunidades-de-Investigacao/concursos-bolsas-id