The Minho Architecture Fellowship 2026 in Portugal offers an excellent opportunity for architecture graduates to gain practical research experience while working with an interdisciplinary research laboratory at the University of Minho.
The fellowship provides a six-month research opportunity at the Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory, known as Lab2PT. The selected fellow will work under the T.E.R.R.A-E research project, which explores the relationships between schools, territories, communities, and diaspora.
One of the most attractive features of the fellowship is its financial support. The successful applicant will receive a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,090.98 for six months. The fellowship also includes personal accident insurance and reimbursement of eligible voluntary social-security contributions according to the applicable fellowship rules.
The opportunity is open to international applicants, including Portuguese, European Union, and non-EU citizens who meet the stated eligibility conditions. With research activities involving territorial analysis, fieldwork, spatial representation, architecture, and community engagement, the fellowship can be particularly valuable for graduates seeking to develop an interdisciplinary research profile.
University of Minho is a public higher education institution in Portugal with campuses in Braga and Guimarães.
The university has developed a strong reputation for teaching, research, innovation, and international collaboration. Its research activities cover numerous academic disciplines, making it an attractive environment for researchers interested in interdisciplinary projects.
The Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory (Lab2PT) is particularly relevant to this fellowship. The laboratory conducts interdisciplinary research focused on landscapes, heritage, territories, communities, and territorial dynamics.
Through its research activities, Lab2PT brings together different perspectives to understand how people, places, environments, and communities interact.
The Minho Architecture Fellowship is a six-month research fellowship designed for graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
The selected fellow will join Lab2PT and contribute to research activities under the T.E.R.R.A-E project. The project examines relationships between schools, territories, communities, and diaspora.
The research may involve several activities related to architecture and territorial studies. These can include fieldwork, spatial analysis, territorial representation, community research, participatory workshops, and scientific or public communication.
The fellowship is scheduled to begin on 1 October 2026. Research will be conducted on a full-time basis for 35 hours per week.
For architecture graduates, the opportunity offers a chance to move beyond conventional architectural practice and explore how architecture connects with territory, heritage, communities, and social development.
The fellowship provides financial assistance as well as valuable professional and research experience.
The selected candidate will receive a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,090.98.
The allowance is provided for six months, giving the fellow financial support throughout the research period.
Over the full six-month fellowship, the maintenance allowance amounts to approximately €6,545.88, before considering any applicable deductions or other conditions associated with the fellowship.
The fellowship provides six months of research experience at Lab2PT.Working within an established research laboratory can help an architecture graduate develop research skills and gain experience working on a multidisciplinary project.
The fellowship includes personal accident insurance in accordance with the applicable fellowship regulations.
This provides additional protection for the fellow during the research period under the conditions established by the relevant rules.
Eligible voluntary social-security contributions may be reimbursed according to the applicable fellowship rules.
Applicants should review the fellowship conditions carefully to understand which contributions qualify for reimbursement.
International experience can strengthen an architecture graduate’s academic and professional profile.
Working in Portugal allows the selected fellow to experience a different academic and cultural environment while contributing to research involving territories, communities, heritage, and spatial analysis.
Applicants should carefully check the eligibility requirements before submitting their applications.
The primary academic requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
Applicants must hold the degree at the time of application and meet the enrolment conditions applicable to this type of research fellowship.
The competition is open to Portuguese citizens, EU citizens, and non-EU citizens who meet the applicable requirements.
Eligible stateless persons and individuals with political refugee status may also apply according to the fellowship conditions.
This makes the opportunity accessible to architecture graduates from a wide range of countries.
Applicants who earned their degree outside Portugal must comply with the relevant Portuguese requirements concerning qualification recognition and grade conversion.
Candidates with international degrees should investigate these requirements early. Recognition or conversion procedures may take time, and applicants should ensure that the necessary documentation can be provided before signing the fellowship contract.
Previous research or professional experience is not necessarily presented as an absolute requirement, but relevant experience can strengthen an application.
Useful experience may include:
Candidates should clearly explain how their previous experience relates to the T.E.R.R.A-E project.
The fellowship involves interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
Applicants should therefore demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with researchers and community participants.
An interest in collaborative research can strengthen the overall application.
The fellowship provides an opportunity to work across several interconnected research areas.
Territorial analysis involves studying how physical spaces, communities, infrastructure, landscapes, and other factors interact.
Architecture graduates can apply their spatial knowledge to broader questions concerning territorial development and social relationships.
The research may involve methods of representing territories and spatial relationships.
Depending on the project requirements, fellows may use architectural drawings, mapping techniques, digital tools, visual documentation, or other forms of spatial communication.
Fieldwork is another important part of the research activities.
The selected fellow may participate in activities designed to understand communities, territories, landscapes, and local experiences directly.
The project may also involve participatory workshops that bring researchers and community members together.
These activities can help researchers understand local perspectives and incorporate community knowledge into territorial research.
Research findings need to be communicated effectively to both academic and public audiences.
The fellow may therefore contribute to scientific communication as well as public-facing activities associated with the research project.
Applicants should prepare a complete set of documents before submitting their application.
The main documents include:
Applicants with qualifications obtained outside Portugal should also review the requirements for qualification recognition and grade conversion.
A well-prepared CV should highlight academic achievements, architectural experience, research activities, fieldwork, technical skills, and any previous international experience.
The motivation letter should explain why the applicant is interested in the T.E.R.R.A-E project and how their background relates to the research activities.
The application process is relatively straightforward, but candidates should ensure that all required documents are included.
Gather your CV, academic qualification certificate, motivation letter, compliance statement, and any additional supporting documents.
Review every document carefully before submission.
The motivation letter should explain your interest in the fellowship and demonstrate your suitability for the research project.
Highlight relevant architecture, research, fieldwork, territorial analysis, spatial representation, or community engagement experience.
Applications should be sent by email to info@lab2pt.uminho.pt.The email subject line should contain the reference:Lab2PT/T.E.R.R.A-E-BI/01Make sure all required documents are attached before sending the application.
The application deadline is 28 August 2026 at 23:59 Lisbon time.Applicants should submit well before the final deadline to avoid problems with email delivery or missing attachments.
University of Minho official website
The selection process consists of two main stages.
The merit assessment accounts for 60% of the overall evaluation.
This stage considers factors such as academic performance, relevant experience, and the motivation letter.
Applicants should therefore ensure that their documents clearly demonstrate their academic strengths and relevant practical or research experience.
The interview accounts for the remaining 40%.
During the interview, candidates may be assessed on their knowledge, interpersonal skills, motivation, communication abilities, and language skills.
Applicants should be prepared to explain their previous work and demonstrate how their experience connects with the research objectives of the T.E.R.R.A-E project.
Applicants should keep the key dates and conditions in mind:
Because only one fellowship position is available, applicants should make their application as competitive and relevant as possible.
Applicants who hold a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and meet the relevant fellowship enrolment requirements can apply. The competition is open to Portuguese, EU, and non-EU citizens, as well as eligible stateless persons and individuals with political refugee status.
The selected fellow receives a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,090.98 for six months.
Applications must be submitted by 28 August 2026 at 23:59 Lisbon time.
The fellowship lasts six months, beginning on 1 October 2026. The research is conducted full-time for 35 hours per week.
The research will take place at Lab2PT, University of Minho, under the T.E.R.R.A-E project.
The fellowship announcement does not specify an age limit. Applicants should focus on meeting the stated academic and fellowship requirements.
Yes. International graduates can apply. However, applicants with qualifications obtained outside Portugal must comply with the applicable Portuguese recognition and grade-conversion requirements.
There is one fellowship position available in this call.