Portugal
5 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, native English speakers.
Five or six grants to award, depending on availability of funds.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant dates follow the academic year, either September 1- April 30 or October 1- May 31.
Grantees may travel to Portugal before the official start date, or extend their stay after the grant period, but must have means of support, a valid visa and adequate insurance for any additional period of time.
Fulbright sponsorship covers only the nine-month grant period; 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.
Additionally, the Commission holds a mid-year conference, in March - Fulbright Portugal Forum - during which grantees present their study, research or teaching assistantship projects.
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 especially relevant, but not mandatory.
A successful candidate must demonstrate in their application the academic and/or professional excellence, personal motivation, and leadership qualities, as well as a genuine interest in Portugal, its language and culture. Their application should clearly state the reasons for pursuing an English Teaching Assistantship in Portugal and outline specific plans for community engagement during the grant period.
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?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Over the last decades, Portugal has seen remarkable progress in education, science and innovation, reflected in the high quality of teaching and research offered at its universities. Internationalization and academic mobility are key priorities of Portuguese higher education institutions, which are increasingly attracting a growing number of international students and researchers.
Renowned for its warm hospitality, pleasant climate, stunning landscapes and its centuries-old cultural heritage, Portugal offers a vibrant environment for academic and cultural exchange. Its excellent food, rich language and literature, its dance and music traditions, and a more relaxed pace of life that values work-life balance, create the ideal setting for a rewarding and memorable experience.
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 June. In general, Portuguese faculty and students have a good working knowledge of English.
Eligibility
4 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 participating in 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 do not have extensive prior residence in Portugal and are not living in Portugal at the time of application or during the following academic year.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
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 Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
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.
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 must include the Language Self-Evaluation Form and the Foreign Language Evaluation with their applications.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Advanced proficiency in Portuguese is preferred.
Placement Type
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) are placed by the Fulbright Commission at higher education institutions throughout mainland Portugal and the Archipelago of Madeira.
Grant activities may include:
- Assisting faculty in planning, preparing and teaching English language classes and tutorials;
- Contributing to study programs by planning and delivering presentation on curriculum-relevant topics;
- Giving talks and seminars, both within the academic community and the broader host communities, on U.S. culture and other topics of current interest;
- Proofreading and editing English-language 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 the grant activities and serve as primary point of contact at the institution.
ETAs are encouraged to communicate with their Mentors regarding teaching responsibilities, development of the work plan, logistical arrangements (such as housing and meals, when applicable), and other relevant information about the host institution and its geographic location.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
Although placements are at Portuguese higher education institutions, host institutions may vary widely. They may be public or private, large universities or smaller polytechnic institutes, located in Lisbon, other major cities, smaller regional communities, or in the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira. The academic community may also be diverse, including both Portuguese and international students with varying levels of English proficiency.
Candidates should not assume that they will be placed at an institution in Lisbon.
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 stipend of up to €15,200 to cover living expenses.
This maintenance allowance is cost-shared by the Fulbright Commission and the Host Institution under the following terms:
- The Fulbright Commission provides €7,200 (corresponding to a monthly stipend of €800).
- The host institution contributes the remaining €8,000, either in kind by providing accommodation and meals for the entire grant period, or by transferring the amount to the Fulbright Commission, which will add it to the stipend, resulting in a total monthly payment of €1,689.
Detailed information regarding the stipend arrangements will be included in the official Fulbright Award documents sent to selected grantees.
In addition, grantees receive a one-time travel allowance of €1,000, paid prior to the start of the 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.
- 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 celebration and Fulbright Portugal Forum.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Housing placement
- 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.
As part of their cost-share commitment, some host institutions provide housing and a meal allowance or access to the institution's dining facilities for the full duration of the grant. When these benefits cannot be provided, the grant stipend is increased accordingly to help cover those expenses.
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.
These may include:
- independent study or research project;
- attending classes at the university;
- conducting research on topics related to Portuguese language and/or culture;
- developing extra-curricular projects with the students (such as a podcast, book or film club);
- teaching English to members of the local community (e.g. senior citizens, migrant communities);
- volunteering with local organizations;
- participating in environmental projects (such as urban gardening, planting trees and collecting seeds, or recycle and reuse activities);
- or other cultural or social projects that do not conflict with teaching responsibilities at the host institution.
ETAs are also expected to participate in the Fulbright Commission’s outreach and educational advising activities.
Supplementary projects related to community engagement should be described in the “Community Engagement” section of the application, while academic projects should be outlined in the “Statement of Grant Purpose.”
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Cost of living can vary greatly depending on the region or city where the grantee is placed.
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to have a better understanding of the potential cost of living in Portugal.
As a reference:
- Rents are higher in bigger cities such as Lisbon and Porto, ranging from $600 to $1300, depending on location and size.
- National Health Care Service (SNS) is high-quality and reasonably priced: an emergency appointment at a public hospital costs approximately $25, and a medical specialty at a private hospital costs approximately $100.
- Public transport system in Lisbon and Porto is easy to use, safe, covers the entire metropolitan areas, and has reduced prices for students;
- Expect food costs to be at least of $200/month.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The host institution may offer housing, as part of their cost-share commitment, either as a room at their residence 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 mentor and/or the institution's international relations/mobility office for assistance in finding housing or for application to student acommodation at the institution's residence, when available.
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, locations outside city center).
Visas
Fulbright U.S. grantees are responsible for obtaining a National Temporary Stay Visa prior to traveling to Portugal.
The Commission can provide informal assistance but the Portuguese Embassy and Consulates are the sole authorities in matters pertaining to visa issues. Grantees should carefully look into visa information and start the visa application well in advance of travel.
For additional information about National Visas or the Portuguese Republic's consular network in the U.S.A, visit the Diplomatic Portal.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
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