NOVA IMS Scholarships (Gulbenkian Merit & Santander)

Overview

NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS), part of NOVA University Lisbon, runs a group of scholarships for students entering or already enrolled in its bachelor's and master's programmes. The two headline awards are the Gulbenkian Merit Scholarship, which rewards strong entry performance combined with limited income, and the Santander University Support Scholarship, which helps students with limited financial resources. There's also SUCCESS@NOVA, a need-based programme for first-year bachelor's students.

These scholarships mix merit and need. The Gulbenkian Merit award, for example, looks at your entry grade as well as your household income, and it's renewable through to the end of your master's, which makes it one of the more substantial options if you qualify. The Santander grants are smaller one-off amounts aimed at widening access. Together they give NOVA IMS students a few different routes depending on whether your strongest case is academic results, financial need, or both.

If you're an international student, these awards are administered by the school and tie into Portugal's wider student-support system, including the government DGES social support grant. Reading the conditions early matters, because some awards expect you to also apply for state support, and several have firm annual deadlines.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

The Gulbenkian Merit Scholarship asks for an entry grade of at least 170 points. The Santander and SUCCESS@NOVA awards are weighted toward financial need rather than a grade threshold, though you must be enrolled or entering a NOVA IMS programme in the relevant academic year.

Nationality Requirements

The scholarships are aimed at NOVA IMS students rather than a fixed nationality list, so international students enrolled or admitted to a NOVA IMS bachelor's or master's can be considered. Confirm any residency or documentation conditions for the specific award.

Language Requirements

Your language requirement comes from the programme you're admitted to, not the scholarship itself. NOVA IMS offers programmes taught in English and in Portuguese, so meet the language proof your programme requires at admission.

Age & Other Requirements

The Gulbenkian Merit award sets an annual per-capita income ceiling of 14,000 EUR and asks you to also apply for the DGES social support grant. The Santander and SUCCESS@NOVA awards focus on limited economic resources. There's no published general age limit.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Gulbenkian Merit: 2,000 EUR per year, renewable through completion of your master's
• Gulbenkian Merit: an additional one-off 2,000 EUR grant toward international mobility
• Santander: 1,000 EUR for master's students and 500 EUR for undergraduates
• SUCCESS@NOVA: need-based awards for first-year bachelor's students, funded through Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR)
• Access to additional NOVA support lines such as DGES government grants and mobility scholarships

How to Apply

1. Pick the right award: Decide whether Gulbenkian Merit, Santander, or SUCCESS@NOVA best fits your grade and financial situation.
2. Confirm enrolment status: Make sure you're enrolled in or admitted to a NOVA IMS bachelor's or master's programme for the relevant year.
3. Apply for state support if required: For the Gulbenkian Merit award, submit your DGES social support grant application, which is part of the conditions.
4. Complete the scholarship form: Fill in the form for the award you're targeting and gather the supporting documents.
5. Submit by email where required: SUCCESS@NOVA applications go to bolsas@novaims.unl.pt with the completed form and documents; follow the channel listed for each award.
6. Meet the deadline: Submit before the annual cut-off, such as the 31 October date used for Gulbenkian Merit 2025/26.

Required Documents

• Completed scholarship application form for the relevant award
• Proof of enrolment or admission to a NOVA IMS programme
• Documents showing entry grade (for the Gulbenkian Merit award)
• Proof of household or per-capita income (for need-based and Gulbenkian awards)
• DGES social support grant application confirmation, where required
• Identity or passport document

Key Dates & Deadlines

These are annual awards. The Gulbenkian Merit Scholarship for 2025/26 closed on 31 October 2025, which gives you a guide to the typical autumn timing. The Santander and SUCCESS@NOVA programmes run within the academic year and announce their own windows, so check the NOVA IMS scholarships page for the current cycle's exact dates.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Apply for the DGES social support grant early if you're going for the Gulbenkian Merit award, since it's a condition
• Have your income documents ready and accurate for need-based awards
• Confirm your entry grade meets the 170-point threshold before applying for Gulbenkian Merit
• Submit well before the deadline rather than on the last day

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping the DGES application that the Gulbenkian Merit award requires
• Missing the annual deadline (autumn for Gulbenkian Merit)
• Applying for a merit award when you don't meet the grade threshold
• Sending an incomplete form without the income or enrolment proof

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the NOVA IMS Scholarships?

They're a group of awards from NOVA Information Management School at NOVA University Lisbon, including the Gulbenkian Merit Scholarship, Santander University Support Scholarship, and the need-based SUCCESS@NOVA programme.

How much is the Gulbenkian Merit Scholarship at NOVA IMS worth?

It pays 2,000 EUR per year, is renewable through the end of your master's, and adds a one-off 2,000 EUR grant for international mobility.

Who is eligible for the NOVA IMS Scholarships?

Students enrolled in or entering a NOVA IMS bachelor's or master's programme. The Gulbenkian Merit award needs an entry grade of at least 170 points and an income within the set limit, while Santander and SUCCESS@NOVA focus on financial need.

What is the income limit for the NOVA IMS Gulbenkian Merit Scholarship?

The annual per-capita income ceiling is 14,000 EUR, and you must also apply for the DGES social support grant.

How much does the Santander Scholarship at NOVA IMS pay?

It's 1,000 EUR for master's students and 500 EUR for undergraduates, aimed at students with limited economic resources.

When is the deadline for the NOVA IMS Scholarships?

They're annual. The Gulbenkian Merit Scholarship for 2025/26 closed on 31 October 2025; other awards announce their own windows, so check the NOVA IMS page for the current cycle.

Are the NOVA IMS Scholarships open to international students?

Yes. The awards target NOVA IMS students rather than a fixed nationality list, so international students enrolled or admitted to a NOVA IMS programme can be considered.

Can I get the NOVA IMS Gulbenkian Merit Scholarship for my whole degree?

The award is renewable through completion of your master's, provided you continue to meet its conditions each year.

What is SUCCESS@NOVA?

SUCCESS@NOVA is a need-based scholarship for first-year bachelor's students from lower-income backgrounds, funded through Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan.

How do I apply for the NOVA IMS Scholarships?

Confirm your enrolment, complete the form for your chosen award, apply for the DGES grant if required, and submit by the listed channel. SUCCESS@NOVA applications go to bolsas@novaims.unl.pt.

Do the NOVA IMS Scholarships require me to apply for government support too?

The Gulbenkian Merit award requires you to also apply for the DGES social support grant. Check each award's conditions for similar requirements.