Fulbright Award Atlantic for Future / IPMA - Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere
Portugal
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
The selected scholar will participate in scientific consultancy and collaboration with the host in order to delineate research strategies, define and prioritize actions towards the improvement of ongoing projects and research areas, and/or the initiation of new lines or research.
Scholars selected for this award shall conduct a research project of interest of the applicant and the host institution(s).
The selected scholar can also conduct/participate in research projects of common interest of both IPMA and his/her affiliation in the United States.
Coordinating Institution: Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Algés, Lisbon, Portugal
Projects can involve IPMA and other institutions, such as Ocean Science Research Centers, Economic or Social oriented Institutions/ Faculties in Portugal.
Three to Six months.
Award dates must be approved by the Portuguese host institution. Grants can begin anytime during the academic year, between September 2025 and May 2026.
Projects must be completed by August 31, 2026.
Projects in any of the selected disciplines will be accepted, however preference goes to projects foreseeing themes that imply a interdisciplinary approach (using some of these disciplines).
It is a research focused in marine species dynamics modelling under a multispecies framework and by including environmental indicators.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Letter of Invitation is optional.
If applicants can obtain a letter of invitation, the letter of invitation must express the host's interest in the project and describe the proposed activities and timeline for the project; it must be written in English and printed on institutional letterhead.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
Monthly stipend of €2.800 (approx. $3,045), in a total between €8.400 (approx. $9,135) for 3-month grants and €16.800 (approx. $18,270) for 6-month grants.
Monthly housing allowance of €750 (approx. $816), in a total between €2.250 (approx. $2,447) for 3-month grants and €4.500 (approx. $4,894) for 6-month grants.
Award allowances are paid in a lump sum on the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate of December 1, 2023)
Travel and Relocation Allowance of €1.100 (approx. $1,196).
Travel allowance is paid on the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate of December 1, 2023)
The Fulbright Commission offers funding for dependents who stay with the scholar during the entirety of the grant period.
Amounts are determined prior to the start of the academic year, according to availability of funds.
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.
Estimated monthly costs can range from $500 (for one person) to $2,000 (for a family of four) without rent.
Rents are higher in larger metropolitan areas such as Lisbon and Porto: a two-room apartment in central Lisbon costs an average of $1,500/month. Grantees are responsible for finding their housing but are encouraged to contact their hosts and the institution's international relations/mobility office for assistance in finding housing. The Commission can also provide a list of resources and websites for house searching in Portugal and informal advice concerning housing in Lisbon (average prices per location, safe neighborhoods).
Portugal offers an excellent public schooling system with a wide range of public (free, from nursery to 12th grade) and private (national and international) schools.
Foreign citizens with a valid visa can access the National Health Care Service (SNS), which 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.
The public transport system in Lisbon and Porto is easy to use, safe, covers the entire metropolitan area, and is quite affordable: a monthly public transport pass in Lisbon costs approximately $45.
The host institution provides computer facilities, internet access and email, office space and secretarial assistance. Additionally, IPMA provides access to laboratories and equipment.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Portugal
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 scholars and researchers. Warm hospitality, a great climate and an affordable lifestyle also make Portugal an enticing destination.
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; students can speak and understand enough to attend classes taught in English.
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), before applying. 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. Please view the Webinar “US Scholar Awards to Portugal 2025/26” for more information about current opportunities.
Visas:
Fulbright U.S. grantees are responsible for obtaining a Temporary Stay Visa 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 Temporary Stay Visas or the Portuguese Republic's Consular Network in the U.S.A, visit the Diplomatic Portal.
Prospective applicants can find information about Fulbright U.S. Scholar alumni on the Commission's website: https://www.fulbright.pt/fulbrighters/u-s-grantees/.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
IPMA - Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere's Research Areas: https://www.ipma.pt/en/investigacao/index.jsp
Questions about qualifications, profiles sought and requests for letters of invitation can be addressed to Dr. Fátima Abrantes, email: fatima.abrantes@ipma.pt, telephone: (+351) 213 027 000 and to Dr. Conceição Santos, email: conceicao.santos@ipma.pt, telephone: (+351) 218 447 018.
For additional information about the U.S. Scholar Program in Portugal, contact Dora Reis Arenga, U.S. Program Manager at the Fulbright Commission Portugal, darenga@fulbright.pt.