The Fulbright/FLAD Open Study/Research Award is a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant for Portugal, co-sponsored by the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD). Two or three grants are offered, depending on available funds.
Grantees spend eight months in Portugal on independent research, graduate enrollment or a mix of both, in any field, at a host institution they arrange themselves.
Benefits & funding
- A €11,200 stipend for living costs across the 8-month grant.
- A one-time €1,000 travel allowance paid before the grant; grantees placed outside the Lisbon metropolitan area also get in-country travel for Commission events.
- Standard Fulbright accident and sickness coverage.
- Affiliation fees or tuition, housing and dependant support are not covered.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizens or nationals at the application deadline; permanent residents are not eligible.
- A bachelor’s degree conferred before the grant starts; graduating seniors and master’s or doctoral students may apply.
- Anyone completing a doctorate before the grant period is not eligible.
- Not open to anyone living in Portugal (with a visa or residence card) at the time of application or in the following academic year.
- Dual U.S.–Portuguese citizens are considered only if they have no extensive prior residence in Portugal.
- Portuguese is not mandatory; the level needed depends on the project.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Candidates residing in Portugal (with a valid visa or residency card) at the time of the application, or on the following academic year, are not eligible to apply. … Candidates who complete a doctoral program before their Fulbright grant period in Portugal are not eligible to apply. … Anyone who has resided abroad for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the national application deadline.” Eligibility
Eligible nationalities
USA
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor · Master Enrolled · Master · PhD Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Arrange your own host affiliation in Portugal and obtain its letter of affiliation.
- 2Submit the Fulbright online application with three recommendation letters by October 6, 2026.
- 3Some semi-finalists are interviewed by the Portuguese selection committee over Zoom in late February or early March.
Program timeline
Application deadline
October 6, 2026
Recommended / non-recommended notice
End of January 2027
Zoom interviews for some semi-finalists
Late February–early March 2027
Final selections
March–June 2027
8-month grant begins
September 1 or October 1, 2027