Portugal–Berkeley Program

The Portugal-Berkeley Program was created in 2024 through a memorandum of understanding signed between the Foundation for Science and Technology, the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD), and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley).

The main objective of this strategic partnership 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 program is managed by the Center for Portuguese Studies (CPS) at UC Berkeley, part of the University's Institute of European Studies, and is funded by FCT, following the signing of a protocol in January 2025 between FCT and CPS, which guarantees funding of around €100,000/year for three years for the implementation of the program in its various aspects.

In addition, FLAD contributes to supporting the functioning of the CPS, which is responsible for implementing the program to support students and researchers and promoting the involvement of various academic departments at UC Berkeley with the national scientific community.

Initiatives supported under the FCT/CPS UC Berkeley Protocol:

• Studentships for doctoral candidates: Financial support for master's degree holders from Portuguese universities participating in the UC Berkeley spring visit (for prospective doctoral students).
  → 3 Studentships up to $1,500 each –Application process.
• Visiting professors from Portugal: Support for visits by Portuguese professors/academics to UC Berkeley departments, covering travel and accommodation expenses.
  → 7 Studentships up to $3,000 each – Application process.
• Ana Hatherley Program – Writer/Artist in Residence: Hosting Portuguese writers and artists for short-term residencies at UC Berkeley.
  → 2 Studentships up to $5,000 each – Application process.
• UC Berkeley faculty trips to Portugal: Funding for participation in conferences or research activities in Portugal.
  → 7 Studentships up to $3,000 each – Application process.
• Acquisition of Portuguese books for the Library Donate: Annual funding for the acquisition of Portuguese publications.
  → $10,000 allocated/year – Application process.
• Support for visiting doctoral students: Coverage of university fees and visas for eight Portuguese doctoral students.
  → Total of $13,200/each – Information on the application process will be available soon.
• Academic and cultural events at CPS: Support for the organization of lectures, colloquiums, and events dedicated to Portugal, the Portuguese language, and the Portuguese-American community.
  → $10,000 allocated/year – Application process.

The Portugal-Berkeley Program also supports Portuguese students or those of Portuguese descent through the Pinto-Fialon Fund, awarding Studentships bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees at UC Berkeley. It also awards Studentships to doctoral students who need to conduct research in Portugal or who have been invited to participate in scientific events 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 CPS at UC Berkeley is the entity responsible for managing the Protocol in force with FCT, as well as for managing the Pinto-Fialon Fund.

The webinar that took place on October 1, 2025, is available for viewing, and you can also consult the presentation.

This program benefits or has benefited from funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, being one of the measures included in investment RE-C06-i06 – Science Plus Training and contracted between FCT and the Recuperar Portugal Mission Structure.