Fulbright Award in Law and Sustainability / NOVA School of Law
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 recipient of this award is expected to carry out teaching and research activities within the topic of Law and Sustainability, as further detailed below.
Preference will be given to candidates whose research interests match one or several of NOVA School of Law's strategic priorities which are as follows:
- The role of law in promoting the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental and economic (the research interests of the candidates may focus on only one of these pillars or several);
- Strengthening Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions;
- Law, Innovation and Digitalization.
- These three strategic priorities may include a range of topics covering the following SDGs:
• Peace, justice, and security (SDG 16);
• Human rights in the digital age/ cybersecurity (SDG 9, 16);
• Decent work, Responsible Business Conduct (SDG 8)
• Law and blue economy: the ocean (SDG 12, 13, 14);
• Law and green economy: energy and climate (SDG 7, 12, 13, 15);
• Alternative dispute resolution in the digital age (SDG 16);
• Right to sustainable and smart cities (SDG 11, 12);
• Regulation, policymaking, and the digital transformation (SDGs 9, 16);
• Green taxation, social solidarity and public policies (SDG 1, 8);
• Human rights, access to justice, and the rule of law (SDG 16);
• Sustainability and digitalization of financial markets (SDG 1, 8, 12);
• Compliance, enforcement, and ESG (SDG 16);
• Data science, Artificial Intelligence, and empirical legal studies (SDG 9, 16);
• Institutional governance and reform (SDG 16);
• Law, health, and well-being (SDG 3);
• Gender Equality (SDG 5).
Ideally, the research interests of the recipient of the award should also match the activities carried out by any of the knowledge centres of NOVA School of Law (https://novalaw.unl.pt/en/knowledge-centres/).
Scholars selected for this Award will be required to:
- Teach two courses: either one graduate course in Legal English (24h teaching) and one graduate course in Law and Sustainability (24h teaching); or two graduate courses in Law and Sustainability (48h teaching), as approved by the School’s Scientific Council;
- Conduct a research project within the host institution’s research and development unit relevant to one or more of the host institution’s knowledge centers;
- Take part in one or more conferences and/or seminars aimed at doctoral students to discuss ongoing research;
- Advise and/or mentor master’s and/or doctoral students;
- Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development.
NOVA University Lisbon, NOVA School of Law. Lisbon, Portugal
Four months.
Preferred starting month is September, as agreed with the Portuguese host institution.
While this award is open to any project in the disciplines listed above, there is interest in scholars with a legal background or, for those with no legal background, those with an interest in inter, multi or cross disciplinary research involving legal systems.
There is particular interest in scholars who, in their respective fields, carry out research which is focused on meeting at least one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for everyone by 2030.
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.
Grant stipend of €11.200 (approx. $12,180), which corresponds to a monthly stipend of €2.800 (approx. $3,045).
Housing allowance of €3.000 (approx. $3,263), which corresponds to a monthly housing stipend of €750 ($816).
(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: 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 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 will provide computer facilities, laboratory space, internet access and e-mail, office space, and secretarial assistance.
Grantees and dependents can access the host institution’s library, Wi-Fi, and free attendance of welcome events, conferences and other academic events, upon request.
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.
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.
NOVA School of Law - Knowledge Centres: https://novalaw.unl.pt/en/knowledge-centres/
Assistance will be provided by Ms. Rita Jordão of the Mobility and Internationalization Support Office, Email: mobility@novalaw.unl.pt, Telephone: +351 21 384 74 37.
Candidates can seek further information with Prof. Margarida Lima Rego, Dean of NOVA School of Law (Email: margarida.limarego@novalaw.unl.pt).
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