The Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study (GIAS) Fellowship 2027/2028 is now open to researchers and scholars interested in spending between three and eight months in Lisbon, Portugal, working on an independent research project in a stimulating academic environment.
The fellowship is designed to give scholars the time, space, and intellectual freedom to focus on their own work while being part of an international community of researchers from different disciplines and backgrounds. Also, applications for the 2027/2028 fellowship cycle are open until 15 October 2026.
About the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship
The Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study was established by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation to support world-class scholars carrying out research of their own choosing.
Rather than being a programme built around a fixed research topic, GIAS gives fellows the freedom to develop their own projects during their residency. The institute brings together scholars from different academic fields, nationalities and professional backgrounds, creating opportunities for intellectual exchange and discussion.
The fellowships normally last between three and eight months, with fellows expected to be based at the institute during their agreed period of residence.
GIAS Fellowship Benefits
Successful fellows will receive financial and institutional support during their residency in Lisbon.
The fellowship includes:
- A monthly stipend
- Travel expenses
- Travel and health insurance
- A partial housing allowance
- A dedicated working environment for research
- Access to the institute’s academic and research resources
- Opportunities for intellectual exchange with scholars from different disciplines
However, the exact fellowship amount is determined after selection and takes into account factors such as the expected length of the stay and the fellow’s circumstances.
GIAS also provides fellows with individual working spaces, seminar rooms, a fellows’ lounge, a reference library and access to substantial electronic resources. Well, fellows can also make use of larger university libraries in the Lisbon area.
Who Can Apply for GIAS?
The GIAS Fellowship is intended primarily for internationally recognised academics, but the institute also considers applications from other types of scholars and professionals.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Academics and researchers
- Emeritus professors
- Independent scholars
- Professionals working outside traditional academic institutions
- Artists
Applications are considered across most fields, provided the proposed work does not require laboratory or experimental procedures and is not primarily practice- or application-oriented.
Applicants do not necessarily have to be affiliated with a university or research institution, as the institute’s regulations allow applications from independent scholars and professionals as well.
GIAS Research Areas
GIAS accepts applications from a broad range of disciplines rather than limiting the fellowship to one particular subject. The institute’s inaugural fellows have worked in areas including:
- History
- Philosophy
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Classics
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Musicology
- Psychiatry
- Social sciences
- Law
- Economics
- STEM-related field
The institute’s first cohort brought together researchers from a wide range of countries and academic backgrounds, reflecting its emphasis on interdisciplinary exchange.
GIAS Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit their applications individually. Well, according to the official fellowship information, the application should include:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- A brief description of the activities or research project to be carried out during the residency
- The names of two referees
The two referees may be contacted by the institute to provide letters of recommendation.
Meanwhile, applicants should make sure that their proposed research can be carried out without laboratory or experimental work and that the project fits the intellectual environment of GIAS.
Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship Application
Kindly follow the steps below to apply:
- Visit the official Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship page.
- Review the eligibility requirements and fellowship conditions carefully.
- Prepare your curriculum vitae.
- Write a brief description of the research or activities you intend to undertake during your residency.
- Provide the names of two suitable referees.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit your application before the deadline of 15 October 2026 at 15:00 Lisbon time.
Applications are evaluated through an international competitive process. The quality and originality of the proposed work are central considerations in the selection process, with the final cohort selected by the GIAS Advisory Board.
GIAS Selection and Results
Applications are reviewed through an international selection process, and the institute looks particularly at the quality and originality of the proposed work and how well it fits with the intellectual environment of GIAS.
Moreover, the fellowship offers are expected to be made from late January 2027, according to the official fellowship information.
GIAS Deadline
The application deadline for the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship 2027/2028 is:
15 October 2026 at 15:00 Lisbon time. Applicants are encouraged to complete their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.
Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship 2027/2028 – Official Website
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship fully funded?
The fellowship provides several forms of financial support, including travel expenses, travel and health insurance, a monthly stipend, and a partial housing allowance.
However, the official website does not describe the fellowship as a fixed-value “fully funded” award. The amount offered is determined after selection and depends partly on the length of the residency and the fellow’s circumstances.
How long does the fellowship last?
Fellowships normally last between three and eight months.
Where will the fellowship take place?
The fellowship is residential and takes place at the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study in Lisbon, Portugal.
Can independent scholars apply?
Yes, GIAS welcomes applications from independent scholars as well as academics, emeritus professors, professionals and artists.
Do applicants need to work in a laboratory-based field?
No, the institute accepts applications in most fields, but the proposed work must not require laboratory or experimental procedures. Projects that are primarily practical or application-oriented are also excluded.
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