Coimbra iN_Seed Scholarship 2026 for Forestry Research in Portugal

If you have a Master’s degree and practical experience with forestry fieldwork, GIS or multispectral drones, the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra is offering a research scholarship worth €1,359.64 per month under its iN_Seed project.

The project—“Forest Seeds and Natural Intelligence: A Technology-Supported Approach to Promoting Resilient Ecosystems”—focuses on forest regeneration through direct seeding, field experimentation and technology-supported forest management.

The scholarship is full-time at 35 hours per week, with research based at the Coimbra School of Agriculture and field sites across central and northern Portugal.

Who Can Apply?

The basic academic requirement is a Master’s degree, but that alone is not enough.

Applicants must also be enrolled in either:

• A doctoral programme, or
• A qualifying non-degree course designed to provide initial scientific research training.

The scientific focus is forestry, silviculture and forest management, so candidates with backgrounds in forestry, environmental sciences, natural-resource management or related areas are the most natural fit.

Can Foreign Researchers Apply?

Yes, foreign-degree holders can apply, but Portugal’s academic-recognition rules matter.

Applicants whose higher-education qualifications were awarded abroad must provide evidence of the required recognition of their foreign degree or diploma.

For international applicants, this means the opportunity is accessible, but degree recognition should be checked early rather than after selection.

There is another significant condition: candidates need good spoken and written Portuguese and English.

Someone with a strong technical profile but no working Portuguese may therefore struggle to satisfy the stated requirements.

What Practical Skills Are Required?

This scholarship is unusually specific about hands-on experience.

Applicants should have knowledge and experience in:

• Establishing experimental forest projects or sampling plots
• Conducting forest inventories
• Geographic Information Systems
• Multispectral drones
• Field-based data collection and analysis

A valid driving license is also required. That requirement is practical rather than decorative: the work involves field trials in different parts of central and northern Portugal.

What Will You Actually Do?

The researcher will support the iN_Seed project from literature review through field experimentation and scientific publication.

The work includes reviewing current technologies and research on establishing forest stands by direct seeding, supporting field trials, processing and analysing resulting data, helping with project coordination, and preparing reports and scientific papers.

So this is not merely a GIS desk role. The successful applicant needs to move comfortably between forest fieldwork, geospatial analysis, drone-supported monitoring, scientific interpretation and research writing.

How Much Does the Scholarship Pay?

The monthly maintenance allowance is €1,359.64, paid by bank transfer. The fellowship also includes personal accident insurance. If the researcher chooses to participate in Portugal’s voluntary social-security scheme, support corresponding to the first contribution level can also be added under the applicable rules.

What Matters Most in the Selection?

The scoring system tells candidates exactly what the panel values:

30% — experience with experimental projects or sampling plots
30% — GIS and drone proficiency
20% — relevant professional experience
10% — Portuguese and English ability
10% — teamwork and stakeholder-management experience

In other words, 60% of the assessment directly concerns field experimentation plus GIS/drone skills.

A candidate with average grades but extensive experience operating multispectral drones, conducting inventories and managing forest plots could therefore be more competitive than someone with a strong academic record but little practical experience.

Will There Be an Interview?

Not necessarily.

An interview is planned only if the highest-ranked applicants are tied after the initial evaluation.

If needed, the interview will assess motivation, English communication, autonomy, initiative, analytical ability and critical thinking.

That makes the written application especially important because most of the competition may be decided before an interview ever takes place.

What Documents Are Required?

Applications must be submitted through the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra’s online scholarship platform.

Prepare:

• Official application form
• Identification information
• Bachelor’s and Master’s certificates
• Proof of doctoral or eligible non-degree-course enrolment
• Foreign-degree recognition evidence where applicable
• CV
• Motivation letter

Recommendation letters are optional. Your CV should not simply list “GIS” or “drone experience.” Explain which software you used, what type of imagery you processed, what forest measurements you collected and what role you played in field projects.

Coimbra iN_Seed Scholarship Deadline

Applications are open from 12 August through 25 August 2026, inclusive. The application deadline is 25 August 2026 at 23:59 Lisbon time.

Since the competition asks for evidence of degree recognition, enrolment and specialised technical skills, applicants should assemble documentation before the final day.

Questions International Applicants Are Likely to Ask

Can foreign students apply?
Yes, but foreign academic qualifications may require formal recognition in Portugal.

Do I need to be doing a PhD already?
You must be enrolled in a doctoral programme or an eligible non-degree scientific-training course.

Can I apply with an Environmental Science Master’s?
Potentially, if your training and professional experience clearly match forestry, silviculture, GIS, forest inventories or related work.

Is Portuguese mandatory?
Good Portuguese is expressly required alongside English and contributes to the selection score.

Do I need drone experience?
Yes, the call asks for proven experience with multispectral drones, and GIS/drone skills account for 30% of the evaluation.

Can I apply without a driving licence?
The notice includes a valid driving licence among the specific requirements, so applicants should treat it as mandatory.

Unsure Whether Your Forestry or GIS Background Fits?

If you are uncertain about your Master’s subject, GIS software, drone experience, Portuguese level, degree recognition or PhD enrolment, leave your question in the comments below this article. Mention your exact degree and the kind of forestry or remote-sensing work you have done, and we can help you judge whether the Coimbra iN_Seed Scholarship is realistically worth applying for.