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 grantee will carry out a program of research, as agreed with the Portuguese host institution.
Appropriate host institutions can be accredited higher education institutions, research centers, cultural institutions or museums, governmental or non-governmental organizations with an educational or scientific purpose.
Information about Higher Education Institutions and Research Centers in Portugal can be found on the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education’s Study & Research in Portugal website.
Other institutions not listed can still be considered suitable hosts. Please confirm with the Fulbright Commission in Portugal before seeking a letter of invitation.
Grantees are expected to live in the city (or metropolitan area) where the host institution is located.
Award dates must be approved by the Portuguese host institution. Grants can begin at any time during the academic year, between September 2026 and May 2027.
Projects must be completed by August 31, 2027.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Candidates are responsible for arranging their host affiliation and must submit a letter of invitation with their application.
A 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.
Please note that Portuguese institutions will be on summer break from mid-July until early September and it may prove to be difficult to contact faculty and staff during that period. Candidates should expect longer turnaround times for receiving a reply to their queries.
English is usually sufficient, but candidates should confirm with the host institution if there are any language requirements.
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 will be invited for interview (via Zoom) with the Portuguese Selection Committee, in January or February 2026.
The interview will be conducted in English.
Grant stipend of €12.000 (approx. $12,674), which corresponds to a monthly stipend of €3.000 (approx. $3,169).
Housing Allowance of €4.000 (approx. $4,225), which corresponds to a monthly allowance of €1.000 (approx. $1,056).
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:
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.
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.
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