Fulbright Award for the Ocean, Climate and Space / AIR Centre
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.
Support the development of the mission-oriented approach of the Atlantic International Research Centre (AIR Centre) in the context of the disciplines identified in the scope of the Atlantic Interactions initiative:
- Earth observation from deep ocean to near space;
- Ocean observation and modelling;
- Healthy and clean oceans;
- Marine resources and biodiversity;
- Digital twin of the ocean;
- Marine robotics and applications.
- Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change.
with focus on innovation in multi-national collaborative networks and creative approaches to the transatlantic cooperation to improve the understanding of the ocean and coastal systems as a whole.
The activity will involve the identification of relevant players from science, industry and administration in the USA and the countries associated with the AIR Centre and the promotion of workshops and meetings to develop the research agenda and identify research projects, new services and products and business opportunities.
Associação para o Desenvolvimento do AIR Centre (Atlantic International Research Centre), Lisbon and Terceira Island (Azores Archipelago), Portugal.
The activity will take place at the AD AIR Centre Office in Lisbon and AD AIR Centre HQ and Earth Observation Laboratory located in the Science and Technology Park–Terinov in Terceira Island, Azores.
Four months.
Preferred starting month is March, as agreed with the Portuguese host institution.
Projects must be completed by August 31, 2026.
Specializations:
- Biological Sciences;
- Data and Information Sciences;
- Ecology;
- Environmental Biology;
- Environmental Engineering;
- Mathematics;
- Natural Resources;
- Oceanography;
- Physical Oceanography.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Letter of Invitation is optional.
If applicants can obtain the 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.
Priority areas of experience/capacity are:
- Multinational distributed collaborative networks (with a focus in the Atlantic);
- Innovative / creative approaches to transatlantic cooperation for improving the understanding of the Ocean and Coastal systems (with a focus in the Atlantic).
Applications are sought in all appropriate disciplines, but the following technical disciplines as academic / technical background are preferred:
- Integration of satellite data and in-situ observations into assimilative models;
- Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning applied to Earth Observation;
- Earth Observation in support of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation;
Development of Earth Observation concepts and prototypes for operational services and products.
Grant stipend of €11.200 (approx. $12,180), which corresponds to a monthly stipend of €2.800 (approx. $3,045).
Monthly housing allowance of €1.000 (approx. $1088), in a total of €4.000 (approx. $4,350).
Award allowances are paid in a lump sum on the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate of December 1, 2023)
Travel 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 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 education 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 e-mail, office space, access to laboratory facilities and transportation.
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.
, telephone: (+351) +351 21 723 10 62
Candidates can seek further information to the AIR Centre's Deputy Executive Director Mafalda Carapuço, mafalda.carapuco@aircentre.org.
Assistance will be provided by AIR Centre's Deputy Executive Director Mafalda Carapuço, mafalda.carapuco@aircentre.org and Alexandra Frazão, Executive Secretary, alexandra.frazao@aircentre.org, telephone: (+351) +351 21 723 10 62
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