Introduction

The Carnegie Mellon Portugal Dual Degree PhD Scholarships 2026/2027 present an exceptional opportunity for international students to pursue a prestigious doctoral program across two continents — the United States and Portugal. Through this initiative, scholars study jointly at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) — one of the world’s leading research institutions — and a top Portuguese university, ultimately earning dual doctoral degrees recognized internationally.

Degree Level

This scholarship supports PhD programs in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Program Duration:

2 years at Carnegie Mellon University (USA)

3 years at a partner Portuguese university

Upon completion, scholars receive two PhD diplomas — one from CMU and one from the Portuguese partner university.

Scholarship Benefits

Selected candidates will receive a fully funded PhD package, which includes:

Full tuition fee coverageat both CMU and the Portuguese university
Monthly living stipendand research funding
Travel supportbetween Portugal and the USA
Access to world-class laboratories, mentorship, and academic resources
Integration into two leading research ecosystems
Collaboration opportunities with top global companiessuch as Google, IBM, Meta, and Amazon

Eligible Nationalities

This scholarship is open to international students of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Hold a Master’s degree(or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., computer science, engineering, cognitive science)
Demonstrate academic excellenceand a strong research background
Meet the admission requirementsof both CMU and the Portuguese partner institution
Show English language proficiency(TOEFL/IELTS scores may be required)
Submit a research-oriented applicationaligned with the program’s objectives

Application Procedure

Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year open on October 1, 2025.
Applicants must apply directly to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) through its online system.

Deadlines by School

Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Deadline: December 1, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST)
Programs: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience (PCN), Neural Computation (PNC)

School of Computer Science

Deadline: December 10, 2025 (3:00 p.m. EST)
Programs: Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Language Technologies, Machine Learning, Robotics, Societal Computing, Software Engineering

College of Engineering

Deadline: December 15, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST)
Programs: Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Engineering and Public Policy (EPP)
Note: The EPP program opens on October 15, 2025.

Final Thoughts

The Carnegie Mellon Portugal Dual Degree PhD Scholarships 2026/2027 provide a unique platform to earn dual doctoral degrees from two globally prestigious institutions. This program empowers future innovators to bridge continents, engage in cutting-edge research, and contribute to the advancement of global technology and science.
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