Fulbright Commission Historical Archives Now Available for Consultation

This archive brings together 56 years of the history of scientific and academic cooperation between Portugal and the USA. In 38 linear meters and 416 boxes there are documents that allow us to understand the Institution's performance in the areas of Philosophy, History, Science Policy and International Relations. Among other documents, the Fulbright collection is composed of minutes, plans, reports, and Studentships and students, financial management documents, correspondence, photographs.

All documentation is available in paper, in English and Portuguese, and also online through the Science and Technology Archive (ACT) platform. In 2014, the Fulbright Commission historical collection was integrated into the ACT, which took over the archival management of this collection, with regard to its organization, treatment and dissemination.

Since the beginning of the implementation of the Fulbright Program in Portugal, in 1960, more than 2000 Portuguese and North American students and teachers have received Studentships Fulbright in various academic areas. Among the Fulbright scholarship recipients is the current President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The presentation conference of this archival recovery and treatment project was attended by the Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education, Maria Fernanda Rollo, as well as the Executive Director of the Institution, Otília Reis, the President of the Board of Directors of the FCT, Paulo Ferrão and the person responsible for archival treatment, Cláudia Filipe from the Institute of Contemporary History, FCSH-UNL.

For the Secretary of State, Maria Fernanda Rollo, “ this is a cherished project that dignifies the good relations between Portugal and the USA. ” She also reinforced that it is a “ common heritage ” and it is up to MCTES to “ promote its dissemination and ensure its preservation, both physical and digital ”. The President of FCT, Paulo Ferrão, highlighted the good relations between this institution and the Fulbright Commission, installed in the FCT building since 2014, and the crucial contribution of the ACT team to this project.

Image credits: Fulbright