Research Sprint Residencies
Mobility Opportunity · Phase IV
UT Austin Portugal Research Sprint Residencies
Accelerating Portugal–UT Austin Research Collaboration
Short-term, full-time research stays at The University of Texas at Austin for Ph.D. students, postdocs, faculty members and researchers affiliated with Portuguese organizations — built around a focused, 2‑to‑8‑week format and six application rounds running through October 2027.
Round 1 opens September 15, 2026
2–8 weeks
Residency duration
UT Austin
6 rounds
Travel + stay
Why Apply
A focused way to work directly with UT Austin
The Research Sprint Residencies support short-term, intensive research stays at UT Austin, enabling researchers affiliated with Portuguese organizations to work closely with UT Austin hosts on focused research and innovation projects.
Whether the goal is developing a new research direction, advancing an existing collaboration, accessing specialized facilities, or preparing future publications or joint proposals, the initiative is designed to generate concrete outcomes and strengthen long-term collaboration between Portugal and UT Austin.
- Direct collaboration with leading researchers at UT Austin.
- Access to specialized expertise, laboratories, facilities, datasets and research infrastructure.
- Dedicated time to advance a focused research project.
- Opportunities to generate publications, prototypes, software, datasets, methodologies or future collaborative proposals.
- Strengthened international networks and long-term research partnerships.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be affiliated with a Portuguese academic institution, research organization or company.
- Have identified a UT Austin host before applying. The UT Austin Portugal Program team may assist candidates in identifying and connecting with potential hosts, but it is the candidate’s responsibility to secure the host’s confirmation before applying.
- Have discussed and agreed upon a preliminary work plan with their supervisor/manager in Portugal and with their host at UT Austin.
- Be available to undertake a full-time, in-person residency at UT Austin, with duration defined according to the applicable track.
- Be proficient in English.
Eligible profiles may vary by track and include:
- Ph.D. students
- Postdocs
- Faculty members
- Researchers
Program Tracks
Two tracks, one in-person format
In both tracks, residencies are conducted in person at UT Austin and must be undertaken on a full-time basis. The residency must be carried out over a continuous and consecutive period.
Track 01
Faculty Track
2 consecutive weeks
Minimum Eligible Period
8 consecutive weeks
Maximum Eligible Period
Track 02
Researcher Track
4 consecutive weeks
Minimum Eligible Period
8 consecutive weeks
Maximum Eligible Period
Why a 2–8-Week Format
Built for real research schedules
The Research Sprint Residencies are designed to make international research collaboration possible within a shorter and more focused timeframe.
- Makes participation easier for researchers to juggle professional and personal responsibilities.
- Allows participants to act quickly when equipment, datasets or experimental windows become available.
- Gives participants access to international collaboration without disrupting their research and professional duties for long periods of time.
- Provides a low-risk starting point for collaborations that may grow into joint projects, publications, co-supervision or longer stays.
- Broadens participation across Portuguese institutions and career stages.
Scientific areas
Program Strategic Priority Areas
Within these strategic priority areas, particular emphasis should be placed on the Priority Research Topics (PRTs) identified by the UT Austin Portugal Program. These topics represent the Program’s key research priorities and should be considered the primary focus when assessing the scientific alignment of proposed projects.
For more information about the key topics covered by each area, visit the Program Areas section of the UT Austin Portugal website.
Application Timeline
Six rounds, September 2026–October 2027
The Research Sprint Residencies operate through periodic application rounds rather than a single annual deadline. Applicants should submit proposals during the relevant window and well in advance of intended residency dates, allowing time for evaluation, planning, travel and coordination with the UT Austin host. Residency dates are defined jointly by the participant and the UT Austin host. Support remains subject to available budget, host capacity and Program priorities.
Round 1 . Open
Round 2
Nov 15 – Dec 20, 2026
Round 3
Jan 15 – Mar 22, 2027
Round 4
Apr 15 – May 24, 2027
Round 5
Jun 15 – Jul 23, 2027
Round 6
Sep 1 – Oct 15, 2027
Additional Terms
- Applications reviewed through periodic rounds.
- Residency dates defined jointly by the participant and the UT Austin host.
- Evaluation and selection carried out according to the published schedule.
- Funding subject to available budget, host capacity and Program priorities.
| Round | Application Window | Evaluation and Decision |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | September 15 – October 23, 2026 | November 2026 |
| 02 | November 15 – December 20, 2026 | January 2027 |
| 03 | January 15 – March 22, 2027 | April 2027 |
| 04 | April 15 – May 24, 2027 | June 2027 |
| 05 | June 15 – July 23, 2027 | August 2027 |
| 06 | September 1 – October 15, 2027 | November 2027 |
Please note: depending on the number of applicants selected for support, the UT Austin Portugal Program may adjust this calendar.
Work Plans, Outputs and Outcomes
What a residency should produce
Your Work Plan Should Include
- Specific research objectives.
- A structured work plan.
- Clearly identified activities.
- Access to expertise or resources available at UT Austin.
- Well-defined expected outcomes.
- Potential for continued collaboration following the residency.
- A short technical note of up to two pages, or equivalent project documentation.
- A presentation or demonstration to the host group.
- A non-confidential summary when suitable for public communication.
- Delivery or demonstration of the main result — data, code, a method, prototype, analysis or manuscript contribution.
- A brief note outlining the next step for the collaboration.
- A dataset, sample characterization, proof of concept, software pipeline, validated model, benchmark, functional prototype, experimental design, manuscript contribution, publication proposal, joint proposal, co-supervision plan or reciprocal visit.
Support and Funding
What's covered for selected applicants
Round-trip flight
Accommodation
Application Requirements
What to prepare
Applications must be submitted through the online application form and include:
- Applicant information and institutional affiliation.
- Research profile, such as ORCID, Google Scholar or ResearchGate.
- Curriculum Vitae, maximum 2 pages.
- A residency proposal including project summary, work plan for the requested visiting period, main objectives, expected outcomes and justification for conducting the proposed work at UT Austin.
- UT Austin host information, along with written support from the UT Austin host.
Selection Process
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight | Review Question |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific value | 30% | Is the topic worthwhile and the approach sound? |
| Contribution of UT Austin | 25% | Will the host, facilities or in-person interaction materially improve the work? |
| Feasibility | 20% | Can the proposed tasks be completed within the residency period with the stated resources? |
| Expected result | 15% | Is the result clear, useful and proportionate? |
| Collaboration value | 10% | Is there a credible next step for the partnership or participant? |
Administrative Information
Compliance, onboarding and responsibilities
Selected candidates must comply with UT Austin's applicable institutional policies, ethical standards, research security requirements and data protection regulations.
Selected participants will receive onboarding guidance from UT Austin to help them prepare for their residency and settle into the host research environment. This support includes practical information on visa-related and arrival procedures, campus access, accommodation coordination, administrative requirements, and points of contact at UT Austin.
Visitor status and visa requirements will depend on the duration and nature of the residency, the participant’s nationality, and applicable U.S. requirements. UT Austin will guide selected participants on the appropriate visitor status and process.
Applicants should not make visa or visitor-status arrangements until they have received the relevant guidance from UT Austin.
Applicants should also note that onboarding support does not replace their responsibility to complete any required travel, visa, institutional, medical insurance or personal arrangements in due time.
Selected participants are expected to:
- Undertake the residency in accordance with the approved proposal.
- Maintain regular interaction with the UT Austin host and their supervisor or manager at their home institution in Portugal.
- Comply with applicable institutional, ethical, legal, intellectual property, research security and data protection requirements.
- Inform the Program of any significant changes affecting the residency.
- Contribute information requested for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
Selected participants are responsible for securing any insurance coverage required by their visa, travel authorization, host institution, or the applicable laws and regulations of the destination country.
Participants should acknowledge the support of the UT Austin Portugal Program in publications, presentations, communication materials and other outputs resulting from the residency whenever appropriate.
Contacts
Get in touch
Program Office at UT Austin
Program Office in Portugal
Ready to Apply?
Before you start your application, make sure you:
- Meet the eligibility requirements
- Have secured a UT Austin host
- Have agreed on a preliminary work plan
- Have prepared the required supporting documents