Fulbright Award in Space, Atmosphere, Ocean, Climate, Energy and Data Science / AIR Centre

OVERVIEW

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends 800 U.S. faculty and professionals abroad each year. Grantees can research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields.

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 for Portuguese higher education institutions, which are increasingly attractive to a growing number of international students, scholars and researchers.

To learn more about Portuguese Higher Education Institutions and Research Centers, visit Study & Research in Portugal.

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.

AWARD DETAILS

AWARD ACTIVITY AND DISCIPLINES

Category: U.S. Scholar Program.

Type: Research.

Award Activity: Support the development of the mission-oriented approach of the Atlantic International Research Centre (AIR Centre) in the context of the disciplines identified in scope of the Atlantic Interactions initiative:

• Marine resources and biodiversity;
• Healthy and clean oceans;
• Earth Observation from deep ocean to near space;
• Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change;
• Sustainable energy systems;
• Data Science.

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.

Scholars selected for this Awards can choose to:

• Advise and/or mentor students
• Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development
• Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
• Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
• Conduct a professional and/or artistic project

Disciplines: Only applications in the following disciplines will be considered:

Location: 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.

Length: Four to six months, to be agreed between host and candidate.

Period: Preferred starting month is March, as agreed with the Portuguese host institution.

Projects must be completed by August 31, 2025.

AWARD REQUIREMENTS

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Citizenship/Residency Requirement: Applicants residing in Portugal at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award.
Permanent residents of Portugal are not eligible to apply for this award.

Invitation Requirement: A 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.

Degree Requirements: Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required

Language Proficiency Requirements: None, English is sufficient.

Additional Comments: Candidates can seek further information to the AIR Centre’s Chief Executive Officer Emir Sirage: emir.sirage@aircentre.org, Telephone: (+351) 910 971 031.

AWARD BENEFITS

Grant Stipend: Monthly stipend of €2,800 (approx. $2,927), in a total between €11,200 (approx. $11,708) for 4-month grants and €16,800 (approx. $17,563) for 6-month grants.

Housing allowance: Monthly housing allowance of €750 (approx. $784), in a total between €3,000 (approx. $3,136) for 4-month grants and €4,500 (approx. $4,704) for 6-month grants.

Award allowances are paid in a lump sum on the first month of the grant.

Travel Allowance: €1,100 (approx. $1,150), for grantees only. Travel allowance is paid on the first month of the grant.

DEPENDENT BENEFITS

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.

ESTIMATED COST OF LIVING

An estimate of the cost of living in Portugal can be found on websites such as https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living.

Estimated monthly costs can range from €500 ($522, for one person) to €2,000 ($2,090, for a family of four), without rent.

(Exchange rate of December 1, 2022)

SPECIAL AWARD BENEFITS

The host institution provides computer facilities, internet access and e-mail, office space, access to laboratory facilities and transportation.

Deadline: September 15, 2023.

Additional Information: For more information about the U.S. Scholar Program in Portugal, contact Dora Reis Arenga, US Program Manager at the Fulbright Commission Portugal, darenga@fulbright.pt.