Applications Open until May 21, 2026
The UT Austin Portugal Program is pleased to launch a new call for fully funded Ph.D. in-residency research internships hosted at The University of Texas at Austin, under the supervision of UT faculty.
This highly competitive program will select a limited number of outstanding Ph.D. candidates to conduct research at UT Austin. The opportunity is open to doctoral students enrolled in Portuguese Higher Education Institutions who wish to accelerate their Ph.D. research in direct collaboration with leading experts at UT Austin through an international in-residence experience of 6 to 12 months at one of the world’s leading research universities.
This initiative is funded through the UT Austin Portugal Program. A limited number of positions will be funded.
Learn More and Apply
Full details on eligibility, application requirements, evaluation criteria, and funding conditions are available in the official Call Announcement.
Key Dates
- Opening date: April 9, 2026
- Deadline for submission: May 21, 2026 (23:59, UTC+1)
- Notification of selection results: July 8–15, 2026
- Start of mobility periods at UT Austin: Between September 1 and December 31, 2026
- Mobility completion deadline: December 31, 2027
Why Apply
Selected candidates will:
- Strengthen their Ph.D. work by conducting research at UT Austin under expert mentoring
- Access cutting-edge facilities and international research networks
- Raise their international scientific profile
- Benefit from a comprehensive assistance package, including:
- Monthly allowance (€2100)
- Accommodation in Austin arranged and covered by the Program, subject to availability and Program conditions
- Travel and visa-related support
- Health insurance (costs reimbursed up to an established amount)
Who Can Apply
This call targets Ph.D. students who:
- Are enrolled in a doctoral program at a Portuguese Higher Education Institution
- Are in the second year of their Ph.D. or above at the start of the internship
- Hold Portuguese nationality or permanent residence
- Commit full-time to the internship
- Have the agreement of their Ph.D. supervisor in Portugal
Research Areas
Applications must clearly align with one of the Program’s key areas:
- Advanced Computing
- Clean Energy
- Nanotechnologies
- Space-Earth Technologies
Before You Apply
Applicants must:
- Identify and secure a UT Austin faculty host (advisor)
- Prepare a research work plan aligned with their Ph.D. in Portugal and supported by both their Ph.D. supervisor in Portugal and the proposed UT Austin host
- Ensure all required documents are ready for submission
Contacts
- Host search support at UT Austin: bravo@austin.utexas.edu
- General inquiries: research@utaustinportugal.org
FAQs
Ph.D. students enrolled in Portuguese Higher Education Institutions who are in the second year of their doctoral program or above at the start of the internship and meet all the eligibility requirements laid out in the call announcement text.
Not necessarily. If you are not a Portuguese citizen, you must hold legal permanent residence in Portugal.
Yes. Applicants are responsible for identifying and securing a UT Austin host prior to submission, including a support letter. You are encouraged to proactively identify a potential host at UT Austin and contact them in advance to prepare your application.
UT Austin’s faculty directory can be found here – Academics tab.
Texas Advanced Computing Center’s staff directory can be found here.
The Program is also available to assist you in this search through one of the following contacts:
- UT Austin Office: bravo@austin.utexas.edu
- Portugal Office: research@utaustinportugal.org
No. Missing mandatory documents will result in ineligibility.
Between 6 months (minimum) and 12 months (maximum).
No. Visiting periods must start between September 1 and December 31, 2026, last between 6 and 12 months, and not extend beyond December 31, 2027.
What does the financial assistance package include?
- Monthly allowance: €2100
- Accommodation: Arranged and covered by the Program’s office at UT Austin
- Travel: One economy-class round-trip flight (Portugal–Austin) arranged by UT Austin
- Health insurance: Reimbursed up to program-defined ceilings
No, except for health insurance reimbursements.
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Academic merit of the candidate
- Scientific quality, feasibility, and originality of the research proposal
- Alignment of the proposed work plan with at least one of the Program’s scientific areas
- Strength of the support and motivation letters
Not at the application stage, but it will be required after selection for visa processing (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent).
A minimum score of 3 out of 5.
Yes. These include intermediary assessments, a final report, and follow-up surveys.
