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.
AWARD DETAILS
AWARD ACTIVITY AND DISCIPLINES
Category: U.S. Scholar Program.
Type: Research.
Award Activity:
The selected scholar will participate in scientific consultancy and collaboration with the host in order to delineate research strategies, define and prioritize actions towards the improvement of ongoing projects and research areas, and/or the initiation of new lines of research.
Scholars selected for this award shall conduct a research project of interest of the applicant and the host institution(s).
The selected scholar can also conduct/participate in research projects of common interest of both IPMA and their affiliation in the United States.
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
Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students and engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Disciplines: Only projects in the following disciplines will be considered:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Oceanography
- Paleontology
- Physics
- Statistics
Areas of Interest: Projects in any of the selected disciplines will be accepted, however preference goes to projects foreseeing themes that imply a interdisciplinary approach (using some of these disciplines).
It is a research focused in marine species dynamics modelling under a multispecies framework and by including environmental indicators.
AWARD LOCATION AND PERIOD
Location: Applicant may propose an appropriate host.
Coordinating Institution: Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Algés, Lisbon, Portugal
Projects can involve IPMA and other Institutions, such as ocean science research centers, economic or social-oriented institutions/ faculties in Portugal.
Length: Four Months.
Period: Award dates must be approved by the Portuguese host institution. Grants can begin anytime during the academic year, between September 2026 and May 2027.
Projects must be completed by August 31, 2027.
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.
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.
Follow this link for guidance on seeking Letters of Invitation and developing contacts abroad.
Degree Requirements: Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required
Career Profile: Early Career Academics, Mid-Career Academics, Senior Academics, Professionals.
Language Proficiency Requirements: None, English is sufficient.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The Fulbright Commission in Portugal seeks accomplished candidates with required terminal degrees, career profile and relevant 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.
INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS
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.
CONTACTS AND HELPFUL LINKS
Contacts:
IPMA – Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere’s Research Areas: https://www.ipma.pt/en/investigacao/index.jsp
Questions about qualifications, profiles sought and requests for letters of invitation can be addressed to Dr. Fátima Abrantes, email: fatima.abrantes@ipma.pt, telephone: (+351) 213 027 000 and to Dr. Conceição Santos, email: conceicao.santos@ipma.pt, telephone: (+351) 218 447 018.
Helpful Links:
Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA)| IPMA Scientific Council
Research at IPMA | Study & Research in Portugal | Fulbright Commission Portugal
Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA)
Diplomatic Portal – Country Profile: Portugal
AWARD BENEFITS
AWARD ALLOWANCES
Monthly stipend of €2.800 (approx. $2,957), in a total between €8.400 (approx. $8,872) for 3-month grants and €16.800 (approx. $17,744) for 6-month grants.
Monthly housing allowance of €750 (approx. $792), in a total between €2.250 (approx. $2,376) for 3-month grants and €4.500 (approx. $4.753) for 6-month grants.
Award allowances are paid in a lump sum on the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate of December 1, 2024)
TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
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)
DEPENDENT BENEFITS
The Fulbright Commission offers funding for dependents who stay with the scholar during the entire period of their grants, 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)
SPECIAL AWARD BENEFITS
The host institution provides computer facilities, internet access and email, office space and secretarial assistance. Additionally, IPMA provides access to laboratories and equipment.
COUNTRY OVERVIEW
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.
To learn more about Portuguese Higher Education Institutions and Research Centers, visit Study & Research in Portugal.
ESTIMATED COST OF LIVING
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 inexpensive: a monthly public transport pass in Lisbon costs approximately $45.
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.
PREVIOUS FULBRIGHT RECIPIENTS
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.
APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS AND DEADLINE
Number of Grants: One grant to Award.
US Scholar Program Catalog of Awards: Award #261135-PT– Fulbright Award Atlantic for Future / IPMA – Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere: https://fulbrightscholars.org/award/fulbright-award-atlantic-future-ipma-portuguese-institute-sea-and-atmosphere-2
Applications: Applications must be submitted through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program website: https://fulbrightscholars.org/us-scholar-awards#steps
Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more 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.