Fulbright Award in Computer Science / Portalegre Polytechnic University
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 give lectures and teach seminars and subject modules in the field of Computer Sciences, with a total workload of 192 hours to Bachelor's and Master's students of Computer Engineering and Informatics.
, , , Portalegre, Portugal
Award Length: Four months.
Award Period: Award dates must be approved by the Portuguese host institution. Preferred starting month is October 2027.
Projects must be completed by August 31, 2028.
While this award is open to any project in the disciplines listed above, there is interest in Scholars from any of these particular areas:
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Networking
- Internet of Things
- Machine Learning
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
If applicants do obtain the letter of invitation, the letter of invitation should express the host institution’s interest in the project and outline the proposed activities and timeline. It must be written in English and printed on official institutional letterhead.
Please note that Portuguese institutions are on summer break from mid-July to early September, which may make it difficult to contact faculty and staff during this period. Candidates should anticipate longer response times when sending queries.
Additional qualifications include superior academic qualifications (PhD), research activities (publications, communications and conferences) and a minimum of 5 years of teaching experience.
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 to an interview (via Zoom) with the Portuguese Selection Committee in late January or early February 2027.
The interview will be conducted in English.
Contacts:
Portalegre Polytechnic University (PPortalegre), School of Technology, Management and Design, Department of Technologies -
Department Coordinator: (lmtb@ipportalegre.pt)
Deputy Coordinator: (pedro.roque@ipportalegre.pt)
Assistance will be provided by Professor , PPortalegre's Pro-President for Internationalization, Mobility, External Relations and Cooperation, at email: mariajma@ipportalegre.pt, or telephone: (+351) 245 301 500.
Candidates can seek further information about the Portalegre Polytechnic University (PPortalegre) at and about the School of Technology, Management and Design (ESTGD) at
Helpful Links:
Grant stipend: €12.000 (approx. $13,880), corresponding to a monthly stipend of €3.000 (approx. $3,470).
Housing: The host institution provides free accommodation at their Guest House for the entire duration of the Scholar’s stay; the accommodation is fully equipped and prepared to ensure a comfortable stay.
Award allowances are paid as a lump sum in the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate: December 1, 2025)
Travel allowance: €1.100 (approx. $1,272).
The travel allowance is paid in the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate: December 1, 2025)
The Fulbright Commission offers funding for dependents (spouses and unmarried children under 18) who accompany the scholar for the full duration of the grant, as follows:
- Travel allowance: €1.100 (approx. $1,162) per dependent.
- Monthly dependent allowance: €250 (approx. $289) for a spouse, and €750 (approx. $867) per child.
Dependent allowances are paid in the first month of the grant.
(Exchange rate: December 1, 2025)
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 Living Costs: Monthly expenses in Portugal typically range from approximately $500 for one person to $2,000 for a family of four, excluding rent.
Housing: Rental costs are higher in larger metropolitan areas such as Lisbon and Porto: a two-room apartment in central Lisbon can cost around $1,500 per month. Grantees are responsible for arranging their own housing but are encouraged to contact their hosts and the institution’s international relations or mobility office for assistance. The Commission also provides resources, websites, and informal guidance on housing in Portugal, including average prices by location and information on safe neighborhoods in the Lisbon metropolitan area.
Education: Portugal offers a high-quality education system with a wide range of public and private schools, including both national and international options. Public schools are free from nursery through 12th grade, but applications must be submitted several months before the start of the academic year. Instruction is primarily in Portuguese, with some English-language instruction available. Private schools may charge an admission fee (typically ranging from approximately $500 to $2,000, per student) to secure enrollment; grantees should confirm whether this fee is refundable upon acceptance.
Healthcare: Visitors on a temporary stay visa can access Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS), which is high quality and affordable: an emergency visit to a public hospital typically involves a small fee of approximately $25. Private specialty appointments at private hospitals are also reasonably priced, generally costing around $100.
Transportation:. Public transport systems in Lisbon and Porto are safe, convenient, affordable, and cover the entire metropolitan area: in Lisbon, a monthly public transport pass costs approximately $45. Long-distance trains and coach buses are also inexpensive and reliable: one-way travel between Lisbon and Porto typically ranges from about $7 to $45, depending on the mode of transportation and how far in advance tickets are purchased.
The host institution provides access to computer facilities, internet access, and office space.
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 past decades, Portugal has made remarkable progress in learning, science, and innovation, reflected in the quality of education offered at Portuguese universities. Internationalization and academic mobility are among the priorities of Portuguese higher education institutions, which are increasingly attractive to a growing number of international scholars and researchers. Renowned for its warm hospitality, pleasant climate, and centuries-old cultural heritage, Portugal offers a vibrant environment for academic and cultural exchange.
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 in the English language; students can speak and understand English well enough to attend classes taught in English.
The Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Portugal - Fulbright Commission Portugal - works to advance a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Applicants requiring additional information and support are encouraged to contact ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ 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 (), in Lisbon.
Visas:
Fulbright ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ 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 or the , visit the .
The list of US Grantees to Portugal, as well as testimonies about their projects and experience, can be found on the Commission's page and on YouTube's 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 a relevant academic background and experience, who demonstrate the potential to advance their fields of study and to foster long-term collaborations.
Candidates should clearly explain their reasons for pursuing a project in Portugal and their choice of Portuguese affiliation. They should also show a genuine interest in Portugal, its culture, and in engaging with the broader community during their stay.
For additional information about the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Scholar Program in Portugal, please contact Dora Reis Arenga, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Program Manager at the Fulbright Commission Portugal, at darenga@fulbright.pt.