School of Agriculture - University of Lisbon

The international Ph.D. program in “Agricultural Innovation in Tropical Food Chains” is jointly offered by the University of Lisbon’s "School of Agriculture (ISA, ULisboa)" and "Lisbon School of Economics & Management (ISEG, ULisboa)", in collaboration with the "National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV – State Laboratory)". A novel and innovative Ph.D. program for students from temperate countries with skills in agriculture and agri-food chains searching for tropical regions contextualization and for students from tropical countries who seek to confront their contextualized competencies with exposure to new technical and scientific knowledge, through an international training experience. A leading course providing high-quality theoretical, methodological, and contextual education in tropical agriculture and value chains to guide successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and future development leaders in transforming societies through the development of a modern, sustainable, and vital agricultural sector.

Why Choose?

Recognition of the University of Lisbon, holding the best national position in international rankings, an experienced faculty body engaged in prestigious Research Units, and high internationalization. Historical and continuous links with teaching and knowledge transfer in tropical agronomy is a strong identity mark of ISA, supporting a "project-based teaching". Possibility to attend the Ph.D. course in an intensive regime, minimizing periods abroad and travel expenses. Synergies through links with the AGRINATURA network, the Tropical Studies for Development Center (CENTROP), and the ULisboa’s Food, Farming and Forestry (F3) and Tropical (CTROP) Colleges. Synergies with international projects with tropical regions, in which the three institutions are involved, as well as joint collaborative work in the participating countries.

Vision

A leading course providing high-quality theoretical, methodological, and contextual education in tropical agriculture and value chains to guide successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and future development leaders in transforming societies through the development of a modern, sustainable, and vital agricultural sector.

Why Choose This Doctoral Program?

• Recognition of the University of Lisbon, holding the best national position in international rankings, an experienced faculty body engaged in prestigious Research Units, and high internationalization.
• Historical and continuous links with teaching and knowledge transfer in tropical agronomy is a strong identity mark of ISA, supporting a "project-based teaching".
• Participation in the Consortium of Schools of Agricultural Sciences (CECA), framed by UNESCO through the "International Center for Advanced Training in Fundamental Sciences of CPLP Researchers" provides doctoral scholarships for students from African Portuguese Speaking Countries and East Timor.
• Possibility to attend the Ph.D. course in an intensive regime, minimizing periods abroad and travel expenses.
• Synergies through links with the AGRINATURA network, the Tropical Studies for Development Center (CENTROP), and the ULisboa’s Food, Farming and Forestry (F3) and Tropical (CTROP) Colleges.
• Participation of ISA and ISEG in the European University UNITE! - University Network for Innovation, Technology, and Engineering.
• Synergies with international projects with tropical regions, in which the three institutions are involved, as well as joint collaborative work in the participating countries.

Application Process

Applications are addressed to the President of the University of Lisbon’s School of Agriculture Scientific Committee.

The whole application process must be instructed in English, encompassing the following documents:

• Copy of valid identification document (national ID card or passport)
• Documents proving that the candidate meets the qualification conditions, namely, certificates of academic degrees indicating the respective final grades
• Curriculum vitae
• Project proposal (maximum 3.000 words; mentioning state-of-the-art context, main objectives, and methodological approach to be followed)
• Motivation letter
• Two reference/recommendation letters
• Proof of English language proficiency (level B1 or higher according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), or alternative evidence of excellent English-language communication skills) – if the candidate is not a native English speaker
• The declaration states that the candidate undertakes to comply with the University of Lisboa code of conduct
• Other documents considered relevant for the application
• Indication of email address to which all communication is made

Selection And Ranking Criteria

Candidates are selected and ranked by the course coordination committee by examining the application documents and conducting interviews.

a) For the documentary assessment of applications, the following criteria are applied, valued on a scale from 0 to 100, to which the indicated weights correspond:

• Academic qualifications (degrees obtained, adequacy, and classification) - 25%
• Motivation and adequacy of the research interests to the Doctoral Program (through the assessment of the motivation letter) - 5%
• Professional experience and competencies to develop research - 15%
• Scientific, technical, and academic merit of the curriculum vitae (through the appraisal of the publications/communications record) - 20%
• Quality, relevance, and novelty of the research proposal submitted - 30%
• Other competencies revealed by the analysis of the information provided in the letters of recommendation - 5%

The classification of the documentary analysis results from the weighted average of the classifications obtained in each criterion, being excluded the candidates with classification below 60 points.

All other candidates are admitted to an interview, which aims to deepen documental information, as well as assess other skills expressed by the candidate.

b) The interview is conducted in English and rated on a scale of 0 to 100, according to the following criteria:

• Communication skills
• Analytical skills regarding the doctoral program scope
• Motivational skills
• Interpersonal skills

Candidates with a classification below 60 points in the interview are excluded.

The final evaluation of the candidates results from the average of the marks obtained in the documentary evaluation (60%) and in the interview (40%).