Deadline: 30-Sep-26
The Portuguese Humanities Visiting Senior Scholars Fellowship supports Portuguese higher education institutions in hosting distinguished senior academics from foreign universities for temporary research and teaching visits in the humanities. The programme provides a monthly stipend of €4,000 for three to nine months, plus a one-time €4,000 travel and installation allowance.
The initiative aims to strengthen international academic collaboration, promote knowledge exchange, and enhance research capacity among Portuguese universities. Applications must be submitted by eligible Portuguese host institutions on behalf of invited senior scholars.
What is the Portuguese Humanities Visiting Senior Scholars Fellowship?
The Portuguese Humanities Visiting Senior Scholars Fellowship is an academic mobility programme designed to support Portuguese higher education institutions in inviting internationally recognised senior scholars from foreign universities.
The programme focuses on the humanities and encourages:
- International academic collaboration
- Exchange of advanced knowledge
- Development of research and teaching skills
- Strengthening of academic networks
- Growth of national research talent among students and faculty
The fellowship allows Portuguese institutions to benefit from the expertise of leading international scholars through temporary academic visits.
Fellowship Duration and Financial Support
Selected visiting scholars receive financial support for their academic stay in Portugal.
The fellowship benefits include:
- Monthly stipend: €4,000
- Duration: Minimum 3 months and maximum 9 months
- Travel and installation allowance: One-time payment of €4,000
- Insurance: Personal accident insurance coverage during travel is automatically provided by the foundation
The funding supports scholars during their temporary academic residence and helps facilitate international knowledge exchange.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is limited to Portuguese higher education institutions that wish to host senior scholars from foreign universities.
Eligible host institutions must:
- Be recognised Portuguese higher education institutions
- Invite a senior academic from an international university
- Demonstrate the academic value of the proposed visit
- Provide a structured programme of academic activities
Individual visiting scholars cannot submit applications directly. The application must be submitted by the responsible professor or academic representative of the Portuguese host institution.
Eligibility Requirements for Visiting Scholars
The invited scholar must:
- Be affiliated with a foreign university
- Have a strong and established scientific record
- Demonstrate recognised academic achievements in the humanities
- Have expertise relevant to the host institution’s academic goals
The programme is intended for distinguished senior academics with significant contributions to their fields.
Required Application Documents
The host institution must submit a complete application package containing:
- Application submitted by the responsible professor at the host institution
- Institutional commitment letter
- Visiting scholar’s curriculum vitae (CV)
- Commitment letter from the visiting scholar
- Proposed dates of the academic visit
- Detailed academic activity plan
The proposed programme must include at least one of the following:
- Seminar
- Course
- Intensive course
How the Fellowship Works
The fellowship follows a host-institution-based model.
Step 1: Identify an International Senior Scholar
The Portuguese institution selects a distinguished scholar from a foreign university whose expertise matches its academic objectives.
Step 2: Develop an Academic Visit Plan
The host institution prepares a detailed programme explaining:
- Academic objectives
- Planned activities
- Expected outcomes
- Contribution to students, researchers, and faculty
Step 3: Submit the Application
The responsible professor at the Portuguese institution submits the application along with all required supporting documents.
Step 4: Evaluation Process
Applications are reviewed based on academic quality and institutional impact.
Step 5: Final Selection
Successful applicants are selected by a jury appointed by the foundation’s executive council.
Purpose and Importance of the Fellowship
The fellowship plays an important role in strengthening Portugal’s humanities research environment.
It supports:
- International knowledge transfer
- Development of academic excellence
- Collaboration between Portuguese and foreign universities
- New research partnerships
- Advanced learning opportunities for students and researchers
By bringing leading scholars to Portuguese institutions, the programme helps expand academic perspectives and improve research capacity.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated according to three main criteria:
Academic Merit of the Visiting Scholar
Assessment considers:
- Research achievements
- Academic reputation
- Scientific contributions
- Recognition in the humanities field
Contribution to the Host Institution
Evaluators consider:
- Expected benefits for students and faculty
- Potential research collaborations
- Long-term academic impact
Quality of the Proposed Programme
The academic plan should demonstrate:
- Clear objectives
- Well-structured activities
- Specific outcomes
- Strong alignment with institutional priorities
In case of equal scores, applications may be further discussed during a plenary meeting of the evaluation panel.
Notification and Results
The final decision is communicated:
- Within 90 days after the application deadline
The selection process includes evaluation by experts and final approval by the appointed jury.
Tips for a Strong Application
Portuguese institutions can improve their applications by:
- Selecting scholars with strong international recognition
- Clearly explaining the academic value of the visit
- Designing a detailed programme of seminars, courses, or workshops
- Demonstrating benefits for students and researchers
- Highlighting opportunities for future collaboration
Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Allowing the visiting scholar to submit the application directly
- Providing incomplete documentation
- Selecting a scholar without a strong humanities research profile
- Submitting a vague activity plan
- Failing to explain the institutional benefits of the visit
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Portuguese Humanities Visiting Senior Scholars Fellowship?
It is a fellowship programme that enables Portuguese higher education institutions to host distinguished senior scholars from foreign universities for temporary academic visits in the humanities.
Who can apply for this fellowship?
Only Portuguese higher education institutions can apply. Individual visiting scholars are not eligible to submit applications.
What funding does the fellowship provide?
The fellowship provides a €4,000 monthly stipend, a €4,000 travel and installation allowance, and personal accident insurance during travel.
How long can the academic visit last?
The fellowship supports visits lasting between three and nine months.
Which academic fields are supported?
The programme focuses on the humanities and welcomes senior scholars with recognised expertise in relevant humanities disciplines.
What documents are required for the application?
Required documents include institutional commitment letters, the visitor’s CV, visitor commitment letter, proposed visit dates, and a detailed academic activity plan.
How are applications evaluated?
Applications are assessed based on the scholar’s academic merit, expected contribution to the host institution, and the quality and structure of the proposed academic programme.
Conclusion
The Portuguese Humanities Visiting Senior Scholars Fellowship provides an opportunity for Portuguese higher education institutions to strengthen international academic collaboration by hosting leading foreign scholars. Through funded academic visits, seminars, courses, and knowledge exchange activities, the programme supports excellence, innovation, and long-term development in the humanities sector.
For more information, visit Funda??o Calouste Gulbenkian.
