FCT and FLAD sign new protocols with the University of California

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD), and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) signed new cooperation agreements in January under the Portugal-Berkeley Program.

Created in 2025 through a memorandum of understanding between the three institutions, the Portugal-Berkeley Program's main objective is to promote academic exchange and scientific collaboration between Portuguese universities and UC Berkeley, while strengthening ties with the Portuguese-American community in California. The new agreements establish a framework for cooperation that aims to benefit students, researchers, and the academic community in both countries.

The FCT and the Center for Portuguese Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) have signed a protocol that provides Studentships the annual award of three Studentships cover the travel expenses of master's students from a Portuguese higher education institution who have been invited to pursue a doctorate at UC Berkeley, seven Studentships visiting professors affiliated with a Portuguese higher education institution at UC Berkeley, two Studentships participation in the Ana Hatherly Program – Residency for writers/artists of Portuguese literature or art residing in Portugal, and seven Studentships UC Berkeley professors and researchers to conduct conferences and research in Portugal. In addition, it includes support for the acquisition of Portuguese-language books for the UC Berkeley central library (Doe Library), funding for university service fees and visas for eight Portuguese doctoral students visiting UC Berkeley, as well as support for conferences, colloquiums, and events at the UC Berkeley Center for Portuguese Studies, dedicated to Portugal and the Portuguese diaspora. This initiative has €285,000 (€95,000/year) in funding from FCT and will run for three years, from 2025 to 2027.

In turn, FLAD, a partner of the Center for Portuguese Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) since 1998, signed a new protocol to ensure the hiring of an Executive Director for the Center. This position will ensure the implementation of initiatives related to the Portugal-Berkeley Program, support for the students and researchers involved, as well as communication and engagement efforts with the different faculties and departments at Berkeley with a view to greater participation and leveraging of the opportunities offered. This initiative is funded by FLAD in the amount of $150,000 ($50,000/year) and will run for three years, from 2025 to 2027.

The Portugal-Berkeley Program also supports Portuguese students or those of Portuguese descent and, through the Pinto-Fialon Fund, awards Studentships bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees at UC Berkeley. In addition, it offers Studentships to doctoral students who need to conduct research in Portugal or who have been invited to participate in a conference in Portugal, and to undergraduate students who will participate in the new internship program at the Pedro Nunes Institute, established in cooperation with FLAD/Study in Portugal Network and the University of Coimbra.

The Center for Portuguese Studies at UC Berkeley, part of the Institute of European Studies, is responsible for managing this program. It has a website with all the information available about the various opportunities offered by the program and how to apply.