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:
• Peace, justice, and security;
• Human rights in the digital age/ cybersecurity;
• Decent work, Responsible Business Conduct;
• Law and blue economy: the ocean;
• Law and environmental economy: energy;
• Alternative dispute resolution in the digital age;
• Right to sustainable and smart cities;
• Regulation, policymaking, and the digital transformation;
• Taxation, social solidarity and public policies;
• Human rights, access to justice, and the rule of law;
• Sustainability and digitalization of financial markets;
• Compliance, enforcement, and ESG;
• Data science, Artificial Intelligence, and empirical legal studies;
• Institutional governance and reform;
• Law, health, and well-being;
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
Award dates must be approved by the Portuguese host institution. Preferred starting month is September, 2026.
Projects must be completed by August 31, 2027.
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.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
As part of the selection process, some candidates may be invited for interview (via Zoom) in January or February 2026.
The interview will be conducted in English.
Contacts:
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).
Helpful Links:
NOVA School of Law Campolide Campus
Diplomatic Portal - Country Profile: Portugal
Grant stipend of €11.200 (approx. $11,829), which corresponds to a monthly stipend of €2.800 (approx. $2,957).
Housing Allowance of €3.000 (approx. $3,169), which corresponds to a monthly allowance of €750 (approx. $792).
Award allowances are paid in a lump sum on the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate of December 1, 2024)
Travel allowance of €1.100 (approx. $1,162).
Travel allowance is paid on the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate of December 1, 2024)
The Fulbright Commission offers funding for dependents who stay with the scholar during the entire period of their grant, in the following amounts:
- Travel allowance of €1.100 (approx. $1,162) per dependent;
- Monthly dependent allowance of €250 (approx. $264) for spouse and of $500 (approx. $528) per child (under 18 yo).
Dependents allowances are paid on the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate of December 1, 2024)
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 also provides 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 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 affordable: 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 inexpensive: 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.
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.
The list of US Grantees to Portugal, as well as testimonies about their projects and experience, can be found on the Commission's Fulbrighters page and on YouTube's Fulbright_PT Grantees and Alumni playlist.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
The Fulbright Commission in Portugal seeks accomplished candidates with required terminal degrees, relevant career profile and experience, who have the potential to make improvements in their fields of study and to foster long term collaborations.
Candidates should demonstrate clearly the reasons for pursuing a project in Portugal and their choice of Portuguese affiliation. Additionally, candidates should have a demonstrated interest in the country and its culture and in engaging with the wider community while in Portugal.
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