This is the second year of the programme, run in partnership with Jogos Santa Casa, an official partner of the Social Responsibility and Education branch of the COP.

Jogos Santa Casa are providing €3,000 (£2,375/$3,900) of support for each of the 30 scholarships on offer which are open to athletes enrolled in upper-level undergraduate and Masters degrees at institutions that are part of the COP's Rio 2016 Olympic Preparation Programme.

The aim of the scholarship programme is to combine sports with education and the Olympic values, concepts which are fully aligned with the social mission of the JSC, according to the COP.

Apart from the aspect of education, the COP says that social responsibility programme is based on the identification and monitoring of not only educational needs but also of employment and health of the athletes who represent or represented Portugal at the Olympic Games, including all those who until now have participated in Olympic Missions.

Launched in April 2013, the first year of the programme saw 24 athletes take part.

Portugal has won a total of 23 medals at Olympic Games, including four gold.

The canoe sprint duo of Emanuel Silva and Fernando Pimenta were the only Portuguese athletes to medal at London 2012 claiming silver, while Alpine skiers Arthur Hanse and Camille Dias were the country's representatives at Sochi 2014.

The application process will remain open until September 30.

For more information on the programme click here.

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