Portugal
6 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright Program is designed to give U.S. citizens opportunities for personal development through educational and cultural exchange.
The Fulbright Commission Portugal offers Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Awards each academic year with the objective of strengthening English language instruction and knowledge of the United States in Portugal through the presence of highly motivated, articulate, native English speakers.
Five or six grants to award, depending on availability of funds.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant duration is of 9 months.
Grant dates should follow the academic year, either September 1- May 31 or October 1- June 30. Preferred starting month is defined by the host institution, in agreement with the grantee.
A grantee can travel to Portugal before the grant starting date, or extend their stay after the grant is completed, but must have means of support, a valid visa and insurance for any additional period of time.
Fulbright sponsorship is for 9 months only; no funds or other grant benefits can be extended or transferred to the following academic year.
Orientation
The Fulbright Commission in Portugal hosts a virtual pre-departure orientation in May and an in-country orientation in late September or early October, in Lisbon. Attendance is mandatory.
During the orientation, the Commission offers accommodation for grantees placed outside of the Lisbon metropolitan area.
Candidate Profile
Applications are welcome from well-qualified and motivated candidates, at all degree levels, who have completed a Bachelor's degree before the start of the grant.
Candidates who complete a Doctoral program before their Fulbright grant period in Portugal are not eligible to apply. They should seek opportunities to Portugal under the U.S. Scholar Program.
While the assistantship is open to all fields of study, preference will be given to candidates with an educational background in the Humanities and demonstrated interest in international education. Previous teaching or tutoring experience is recommended, but not mandatory.
A successful candidate must be able to demonstrate in their application their academic and/or professional excellence, personal motivation, leadership qualities and plans for community engagement while in Portugal.
The Commission seeks mature, responsible, independent, open-minded and confident individuals who are capable of working independently, in a wide variety of institutional settings all over Portugal.
Candidates must have the ability to adjust to academic, cultural and social settings different from those of their home country, navigate cultural differences and respond to challenges that may arise on a daily basis.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Over the last decades, Portugal has seen remarkable progress in learning, science and innovation, reflected in the quality of education offered at Portuguese universities. Internationalization and academic mobility are one of the priorities of Portuguese higher education institutions, which are increasingly attractive to a growing number of international students and researchers.
The academic year starts in mid-September or October, depending on the higher education institution. The fall semester ends in December and the spring semester starts in February and ends in May or June. In general, Portuguese faculty and students have good proficiency of English language.
More information about Portugal, the Portuguese Higher Education System and Fulbright Portugal Alumni can be found on Additional Online Resources.
Fulbright Commission Portugal Diversity Statement
The Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Portugal - Fulbright Commission Portugal strives to be a collaborative and innovative organization and is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
We seek to ensure that all our grants, programs and activities reflect the diversity of U.S. and Portuguese societies and are open to people regardless of their ethnicity, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. We work every day to build a culture of inclusiveness, respect for diversity, and understanding of the many differences that enrich the Fulbright Program.
Applicants requiring additional information and support are encouraged to contact U.S. Program Manager, Dora Reis Arenga (darenga@fulbright.pt), prior to submitting an application. Additional information regarding host institutions and details of the individual openings are available from IIE and the Fulbright Commission Portugal (www.fulbright.pt), in Lisbon.
Eligibility
3 Months
Candidates residing in Portugal (with a valid visa or residency card) at the time of the application, or on the following academic year, are not eligible to apply.
Candidates attending study abroad programs in Portugal as part of their undergraduate studies are eligible, as it is not considered residency.
Dual U.S.-Portuguese citizens are eligible to apply but will only be considered if they don’t have extensive living experience in Portugal and they must not live in Portugal at the time of the application or on the following academic year.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
The Fulbright Commission in Portugal seeks accomplished candidates who have the maturity, self-reliance and flexibility to adapt to their host local and academic communities.
Candidates should be able to clearly state the reasons for pursuing an English Teaching Assistantship project in Portugal and should have a demonstrated interest in the country and its culture and in engaging with the wider community while in Portugal.
As part of the selection process, some semi-finalists will be invited for an interview with the Portuguese selection committee, via zoom videocall, in late February or early March.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Intermediate Portuguese language proficiency is required by the beginning date of the grant.
Knowledge of Portuguese language and culture is particularly relevant to promote a deeper engagement outside the classroom, not only with the institution's faculty, staff and students, but also with the local community.
Candidates must include the Language Self-Evaluation Form with their applications.
Placement Type
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
English Teaching Assistants are placed by the Fulbright Commission at Higher Education Institutions, throughout Portugal, which apply to host Fulbright ETAs on a separate competition.
Grant activity is diverse and may include:
- assisting faculty in planning, preparing and teaching English language classes and tutorials;
- planning and presenting on topics included in study programs;
- giving talks and seminars, both in the academic and host communities, on U.S. culture and other topics of current interest;
- proofreading and editing English versions of official documents and media content;
- providing informal educational advising to local students interested in studying in the United States;
The host institution will assign a Mentor to the ETA, who will supervise and serve as primary point of contact for the grantee at the institution.
ETAs are encouraged to contact their Mentors, as soon as they're selected, for further details on their teaching assignment, definition of the workplan and logistical arrangements (such as housing and meals, when applicable), and for other relevant information about the host institution and geographic location.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
Although placement is at the Higher Education level, Portuguese host institutions can be diverse: public or private, large universities or small polytechnic institutes, in large cities or in smaller regional communities, or in the islands, with diverse student populations, both Portuguese and International.
Geographic diversity is a deciding factor in the selection of host institutions so ETAs should not expect to be placed in a host institution in Lisbon.
Supplementary Project
Teaching activity should not surpass 16 hours per week. This does not include planning and preparing classes or teaching materials.
Grantees are encouraged to engage in projects related to their personal, career and/or educational interests, offered by their host institution or local community. This can be an independent study or research project, attending classes at the university, conducting research on topics related to Portuguese language and/or culture, extra-curricular projects with the students (podcast, book or film club), teaching English to the local community (senior citizens, migrant community), volunteer work at local organizations, sustainable projects (urban garden, planting trees and collecting seeds, recycle and reuse activities) or other cultural or social projects of their interest that do not conflict with their teaching engagement at the host institution.
ETAs are also expected to participate in Fulbright Commission's outreach and educational advising activities.
The supplementary project can be described on the "Host Country Engagement" when it relates to community projects, and on the "Statement of Grant Purpose" when it relates to academic projects.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Grantees receive a total stipend of up to €15.200 to cover for living expenses.
This maintenance allowance is cost-shared by the Fulbright Commission and the Host Institution on the following terms:
- The Fulbright Commission offers a stipend of €7.200 (which corresponds to a monthly stipend of €800).
- The Host Institution covers the remaining €8.000, either in-kind by providing meals and accommodation to the grantee for the entire grant period, or by paying directly to the Fulbright Commission, that will add this amount to the grant stipend (thus making a monthly stipend of €1.689).
Information about stipend will be detailed on the Fulbright Award documents, sent to the grantee upon selection.
Grantees also receive a one-time travel allowance of €900, intended as a contribution to travel between the U.S.A. and Portugal. This travel allowance is paid before the beginning of the grant.
The Fulbright Commission may adjust grant amounts if benefits received from other sources duplicate benefits provided by the Fulbright grant.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Registration/Permitting fees
- Local transportation allowance
Grantees placed outside of Lisbon metropolitan area receive an in-country travel allowance for participation in the following Commission events: Orientation Meeting, Thanksgiving Dinner and Fulbright Portugal Forum.
Other one-time allowances (for example, for registration in conferences or other grant-related activities) may be awarded, depending on availability of funds.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
The Commission organizes the Fulbright Portugal Forum, a one-day conference in the Spring, where grantees present about their projects and experience in Portugal. Meals and travel between their host locations and Lisbon are covered.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Estimated monthly costs average $300 - $500 for one person, without rent.
Rents are higher in bigger cities such as Lisbon and Porto, ranging from $600 to $1300, depending on location and size.
Portugal offers a high-quality, reasonably priced National Health Care Service (SNS): an emergency appointment at a public hospital costs approximately $25, and a medical specialty at a private hospital costs approximately $100.
The public transport system in Lisbon and Porto is easy to use, safe, covers the entire metropolitan areas, and is affordable: a monthly public transport pass costs approximately $45.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The host institution may offer housing, as part of their cost-share commitment, either as a room at their residences or an apartment.
If the host is unable to provide housing, grantees are responsible for finding their own housing but are encouraged to contact their mentors and/or the institution's international relations/mobility office for assistance in finding housing.
The Fulbright Commission provides a list of resources and websites for house searching in Portugal. The Commission can also provide informal advice concerning housing in Lisbon (average prices per location, safe neighborhoods, places outside city center).
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Visas
Fulbright U.S. grantees must apply for a Temporary Stay Visa at the Portuguese Embassy in Washington, D.C., or at one of the Consulates in the United States, before travelling to Portugal.
For additional information about National Visas or the Portuguese Republic Consular Network in the U.S.A, visit the Diplomatic Portal.
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Study & Research in Portugal: https://www.study-research.pt
Portuguese Higher Education System: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en
Diplomatic Portal - About Portugal: https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/en/about-portugal
Visit Portugal: https://www.visitportugal.com/en