The GABBA Program is a Doctoral Program in Areas of Basic and Applied Biology that started in the academic year of 1996/1997 from the merger of 4 MSc Programs in the University of Porto, from the Faculty of Sciences (Genetics), Faculty of Medicine (Cell Biology and Oncobiology) and the Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences (Immunology).

In addition to the link to the Faculties referred to, the Program benefits largely of the two major Associate Laboratories (of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) in the University of Porto: the IBMC/INEB (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology/Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica) and the IPATIMUP (Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto), for lab space, lecture halls and module directors doing research in the Associate Labs.

The coordination of the Program has been developed on a rotating basis between the Faculties/Institutes involved. With the integration in the Bologna Process, however, the primary administrative liaison will be the Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences.

Each academic year (or edition) 9 students with degrees in relevant areas of Basic and Applied Biology are selected. The total length of the Program is 4 years.

The successful candidates will receive a 4 year PhD Fellowship funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), which also funds the program running costs.