AIR Centre and Fulbright Commission open applications for the 2026/2027 U.S. Scholar Award in Ocean, Climate and Space

Applications are now open for the 2027/2028 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for the Ocean, Climate and Space / AIR Centre, under the partnership established with the Fulbright Commission through the Memorandum of Understanding signed between both institutions. Applications will be accepted until 15 September 2026.

Priority will be given to proposals that promote innovation within multinational collaborative networks and contribute to transatlantic approaches to advancing the understanding of ocean and coastal systems.

The selected scholar will carry out their activities at the AIR Centre’s facilities in Lisbon and/or at its headquarters and Earth Observation Laboratory at Terinov – Science and Technology Park in Terceira Island, Azores, with a preferred start date of September 2027.  The award supports a four-month stay, with all projects to be completed by 31 August 2028.

One grant will be awarded under this call. Detailed information is available in the US Scholar Program Catalog under Award #27318-PT – Fulbright Award for the Ocean, Environment and Space / AIR Centre, accessible here.

Applications must be submitted directly through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program website.

This award reflects the AIR Centre’s commitment to fostering international scientific collaboration and advancing its mission-oriented research agenda. The grant supports high-calibre U.S. scholars whose work aligns with the AIR Centre’s core areas of expertise, including:

• Earth observation from deep ocean to near space;
• Ocean observation and modelling;
• Healthy and clean oceans;
• Marine resources and biodiversity;
• Digital twin of the ocean;
• Marine robotics and applications.

The AIR Centre looks forward to welcoming a distinguished scholar to its international research community and to strengthening the transatlantic scientific ties that underpin its vision for a sustainable Atlantic.