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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Portugal

3 Fulbright/FLAD Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
October Start
Grant Length
8 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

The Fulbright / FLAD - Luso-American Development Foundation Open Study/Research Award is designed to give U.S. citizens opportunities for personal development through educational and cultural exchange.

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 for Portuguese higher education institutions, which are increasingly attractive to a growing number of international students, scholars and researchers. 

To learn more about Portuguese Higher Education Institutions and Research Centers, visit Study & Research in Portugal.

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.

Two or three grants to award, depending on availability of funds.

All fields of study are considered.

Grant Length
8 Months
Grant Period
October Start

Grant dates are October 1 to May 31.

Grant starting date is October 1 but grantees are expected to travel to Portugal to attend a mandatory orientation in Lisbon, in late September.

A grantee can travel to Portugal before the grant starts, or extend their stay after the grant is completed, but must secure a visa and insurance for any additional period of time.

Fulbright sponsorship is for 8 months only; no funds or other grant benefits can be extended or transferred to the following academic year. 

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

The Fulbright Commission in Portugal hosts a virtual pre-departure orientation meeting in late May/early June and a mandatory in-country orientation meeting, to be held during two days, in late September, in Lisbon.

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.

A successful candidate must be able to describe in their application the project's feasibility, objectives, timeline and methodology, the candidate's 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 with little supervision and able to adjust to academic, cultural and social settings different from those of their home country.

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
12 Months

Candidates residing in Portugal at the time of the application, or any time thereafter, are not eligible for a Fulbright grant to Portugal.

Candidates enrolled in a graduate studies program in Portugal at the time of the application or in the subsequent academic year, or candidates who hold a valid visa during that period, are not eligible. Candidates attending study abroad programs in Portugal at the time of the application are eligible to apply, 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 experience in Portugal (have lived in Portugal for a period of one year or more).

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

The Fulbright Commission in Portugal seeks accomplished candidates who have the potential for advancing their fields of study and for fostering research collaborations. Candidates should demonstrate clearly the reasons for pursuing a study/research project in Portugal and their choice of affiliation. 

Additionally, candidates 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 candidates will be invited for an interview with the Portuguese selection committee, via zoom videocall, during the month of February. 

Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended - Intermediate

Intermediate Portuguese language proficiency is strongly recommended by the beginning date of the grant. A higher level of proficiency may be required, depending on the proposed study/research project.

Knowledge of Portuguese language and culture is particularly relevant to promote a deeper engagement with the host community.

Although the Fulbright Commission does not sponsor Portuguese language and culture classes, we offer resources and links to search Portuguese language study opportunities. We also encourage candidates to check with their proposed hosts if such possibility is available at the institution. 

Candidates should include the Language Self-Evaluation and Foreign Language Evaluation forms with their applications.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter required at deadline

Grant activity is flexible and projects may include university coursework, scientific research in a research center, independent library, museum or field research, classes in a music conservatory or art school, or a combination of graduate study with independent research.

Candidates are responsible for arranging their own host affiliation and are required to submit letters of affiliation with their applications. 

A letter of affiliation must identify (name and position) the research supervisor and express their interest in the project, describe the proposed activities and timeline for the project. It must be written in English and printed on institutional letterhead, signed by the research supervisor and/or head of the corresponding department.

Before beginning their online application, candidates should secure their affiliation, taking into consideration the faculty, programs and/or research groups in a wide range of institutions, but should also seek information about the proposed institution's geographical location.

Information about the Portuguese System of Education, Higher Education Institutions and Research Centers in Portugal, as well as information about tuition fees for international students, can be found on the Study & Research in Portugal website.

Appropriate host institution can be any accredited higher education institution, research center, cultural institution or museum, governmental or non-governmental organization with educational or scientific purposes. 

Other institutions not listed can still be considered suitable hosts. Candidates should confirm with the Fulbright Commission in Portugal before seeking a letter of affiliation.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

Fulbright grantees may register as special students, and thus be able to attend courses relevant to their projects but are responsible for the payment of any tuition fees associated.

Housing Arrangements

No housing allowance is available.

Grantees are required to live in the city, or larger metropolitan area, where the host institution is located.

Cost of Living, especially which relates to housing, is significantly higher in larger metropolitan areas such as Lisbon and Porto, when compared to other Portuguese regions.

Grantees are responsible for finding their own housing but are encouraged to contact their supervisors 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).

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
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 Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.pt
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Dora Reis Arenga: darenga@fulbright.pt
Additional Online Resources
FLAD - Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento: https://www.flad.pt/
Study & Research in Portugal: https://www.study-research.pt
Portuguese Higher Education System: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en
EU Country Profile: Portugal: https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/country-profiles/portugal_en
Visit Portugal: https://www.visitportugal.com/en