# Cooperação Bilateral Portugal-França 2026 (Programa Pessoa)

**Funder:** Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
**Consortium:** Required — bilateral joint project between a Portuguese and a French partner (Programa Pessoa)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** PT
**Official call:** https://www.fct.pt/concursos/cooperacao-bilateral-portugal-franca-2026-programa-pessoa-
**Last verified:** 2 August 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Bilateral mobility/cooperation call between Portugal and France under the Pessoa Programme. Portuguese applicants must be affiliated with institutions in the Portuguese national science and technology system; a French partner is required.

## Summary

The Cooperação Bilateral Portugal-França 2026 (Programa PESSOA) funds international mobility projects linking Portuguese and French research institutions under a bilateral agreement between FCT and Campus France. The call requires a consortium with one partner institution in each country and targets researchers engaged in cross-border collaboration. This is an annual call with a September 2026 deadline.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based at Portuguese academic or research institutions
- Research teams with a confirmed French partner institution
- Projects involving bilateral personnel exchange or joint research activities
- Researchers seeking to strengthen Portugal, France research networks

## Key dates

- Deadline: September 2026
- Annual call cycle
- Bilateral consortium required (one Portuguese, one French partner institution)

## Tips for applicants

- Both Portuguese and French institutions must be formally designated as partners in the application; late letters of commitment often cause desk rejections.
- The call prioritises sustained collaboration pathways, frame your project as a stepping stone to longer-term bilateral research ties, not a one-off exchange.
- Align your timelines with French institutional calendars (Campus France operates on an academic year cycle); misalignment can delay partner sign-off.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Programa PESSOA?

Programa PESSOA is an annual bilateral mobility call jointly managed by FCT (Portugal) and Campus France, supporting researcher exchanges and joint projects between Portuguese and French institutions.

### Do I need a French partner to apply?

Yes, the call requires a formal bilateral partnership with one Portuguese institution and one French institution.

### When is the Programa PESSOA 2026 deadline?

The deadline is September 2026; exact dates should be verified on the FCT portal.

### Is Programa PESSOA open to all research fields?

The metadata does not specify restricted fields, suggesting it is open across disciplines; check the FCT call notice for any domain-specific priorities.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/funda-o-para-a-ci-ncia-e-a-tecnologia-fct-coopera-o-bilateral-portugal-fran-a-2026-programa-) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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