What the funding covers
- No tuition fees for scholarship holders. Self-funded students pay €16,000 for the two years.
- €1,400 a month. There are no other payments.
- Insurance for 24 months.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition (€16,000 for two years) | Waived for scholarship holders |
| Living costs | €1,400 a month |
| Insurance | Covered for 24 months |
| Application fee | None |
Who can apply
- No nationality restriction.
- A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS.
- English: TOEFL iBT 92, IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 5.5), PTE Academic 76, Cambridge C1 or C2 at 180, or Duolingo 135.
- No test is needed if you finished secondary school in a country where English is the official language, such as Ghana, or if your whole bachelor's was taught in English and your registrar confirms it.
Which nationalities can apply
Every nationality can apply.
Documents you will need
- Valid passport
- Photograph
- Diplomas and transcripts
- English certificate or proof of exemption
- CV
- Statement of purpose (PDF)
- Two signed and dated recommendation letters
How to apply
- Create an account on Iscte's application portal and apply for the 2027–2029 edition.
- Upload your passport, photo, diplomas, transcripts, English certificate or exemption, CV, statement of purpose and two signed, dated recommendation letters. A missing document makes the application ineligible.
- Submit before the scholarship round ends on 7 January 2027.
- Applications are scored on academic level (30%), relevance of your degree (15%), research (5%), professional experience (20%), statement of purpose (20%) and fit with the programme (10%).
Before you apply: things to know
- Only 15 scholarships per edition.
- The allowance starts three weeks to a month after you arrive in Lisbon, so bring enough to live on until then.
- Anyone who has held an Erasmus Mundus scholarship before cannot get another.
- There is no application fee.
Common questions
When does the Human Response scholarship round close?
On 7 January 2027, for the 2027–2029 edition.
How many scholarships does Human Response give?
Fifteen per edition, each paying €1,400 a month with no tuition fees.
Does Human Response charge an application fee?
No.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next deadline (Jan 7, 2027). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.
Oct 15, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth: confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Oct 29, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Nov 12, 2026Write the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Nov 26, 2026Order transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Dec 10, 2026Second draft: get feedback from someone who reads critically
Dec 24, 2026Finalise every document and complete the online form
Dec 31, 2026Submit, but never on the last day
Jan 7, 2027Deadline