Bolsas Gulbenkian Novos Talentos. "I want to work in research and this is a door that is opening."

There's a before and after a Gulbenkian New Talents Scholarships (Bolsas Gulbenkian Novos Talentos), and Guilherme Lourenço has just discovered the difference. Before the recent announcement of these research support grants for nine students from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Ciências ULisboa), the Biochemistry student would even have bouts of homesickness for the laboratory during the school holidays. Today, with the new research support already secured, the challenge is different: “I believe I will have time to develop the research project supported by the Gulbenkian Scholarship while also attending classes. As long as I have some personal organization, I think I will have time for everything.”

The challenge is well known among the nine Science students from the ULisboa who were chosen to be among the 100 selected for the Gulbenkian New Talents Scholarships, but the lack of time is not enough to overcome the expectations that fall on another primary objective: "I want to work in the research area and this is a door that opens to the career I want to pursue," replies Inês Dias, a Biology student at Ciências ULisboa.

In addition to specific support for students from lower-income families, the Gulbenkian Scholarship includes two components of financial support: a first one valued at €1000 that can be used to purchase books or teaching resources that help to learn about a topic or develop a scientific project; and a second one that provides €1500 to cover costs related to attending seminars, conferences, or online courses – which can even take place abroad. The scholarships, which last for one academic year, are limited to undergraduate or first-year master's students – and are distinguished precisely by funding activities related to scientific projects that are generally only developed in the more advanced cycles of education.

“The financial reason was not the priority of my application,” emphasizes Leonor Solano, a mathematics student who was also selected to receive the Gulbenkian Scholarships. “I applied to learn about topics that are not always covered in more conventional classes. Furthermore, I am interested in understanding what lies behind a career dedicated to research,” adds the student.

For Rodrigo Gomes, a Chemistry student, the excitement of knowing he had been selected is nothing new – especially since it's not the first time he's received this type of scholarship. “I realized I wanted to pursue a research career and I applied again because the first scholarship had a great impact on me!” explains the student.

During his first scholarship, Rodrigo Gomes even went to Copenhagen to attend a scientific conference and developed a scientific project related to a method for synthesizing hydroxylated metabolites, in partnership with a company. “It's an excellent way to enter the world of research because it gives you the opportunity to develop a scientific project,” emphasizes the Chemistry student.

While Rodrigo Gomes admits he could develop the scholarship-supported project in line with his Bachelor´s final thesis, Inês Dias only knows that she intends to work in the field of marine biology because she loves the oceans. Leonor Solano points out that only with the assignment of tutors will the candidates selected by the Gulbenkian Foundation know specifically the projects and thematic objectives that should be achieved during the academic year. Guilherme Lourenço maintains the expectation of securing a project that allows him to study proteins related to Alzheimer's disease, while Vicente Carrolo Pinto, a mathematics student, doesn't hide that he would like to use the scholarship to "explore topics related to algebra".

"I didn't apply with a defined project, and I don't have a very detailed understanding of the research world. It was precisely to enter that world that I applied," says the young mathematics student.

There is scientific knowledge and there is the network of acquaintances – and the students of Ciências ULisboa are convinced that both types of knowledge will be beneficial. Although the scholarship requires a grade point average above 16.5, all those selected know that science cannot do without the aspect of personal relationships. “I don’t yet know the people I’ll be working with, but I know this scholarship has the advantage of allowing contact with people in the research field in an interdisciplinary way,” says Vicente Carrolo Pinto.

Rodrigo Gomes couldn’t agree more, but adds his past experience: “The first scholarship changed my academic trajectory. Besides the scientific experience, it allowed me to meet people with whom I maintain contact today. I highly value scientific knowledge, but I also value people.” Science is grateful.

List of the nine ULisboa Science students who received the Gulbenkian Scholarship:

Andreia Filipe - 2nd year of the Bachelor's degree in Physics, specializing in astronomy and astrophysics

Guilherme Lourenço - 3rd year of the Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry

Josué Baião - 2nd year of the Bachelor's degree in Mathematics

Inês Dias - 3rd year of the Bachelor's degree in Biology

Leonor Solano - 2nd year of the Bachelor's degree in Mathematics

Ricardo Pereira - 2nd year of the Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry

Rodrigo Gomes - 3rd year of the Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tamára Rodrigues - 1st year of the Master's degree in Geology

Vicente Carrolo Pinto - 2nd year of the Bachelor's degree in Mathematics