Applications are open for the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowships 2027–2028 in Lisbon, Portugal, offering a monthly stipend, travel expenses, travel and health insurance, and partial housing support for international academics, independent scholars, professionals and artists.
Applications are open for the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowships 2027–2028, offering researchers, scholars, professionals and artists an opportunity to spend several months pursuing independent work in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study (GIAS), established by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, provides residential fellowships designed to give accomplished individuals time and intellectual freedom to work on projects of their own choosing with relatively few regular obligations.
The current application period runs from July 1 to October 15, 2026, with applications closing at 15:00 Lisbon time on October 15. The Foundation lists the call as an Open Application, while GIAS identifies it as its 2027/28 Fellowships Open Call.
Successful fellows receive a package that includes a monthly stipend, travel expenses, travel and health insurance, and a partial housing allowance. The exact financial amount is determined after selection and takes into account the duration of the fellowship and the individual fellow’s circumstances.
Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowships 2027–2028 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship |
| Cohort | 2027/28 |
| Host | Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study |
| Foundation | Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation |
| Location | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Application status | Open |
| Applications opened | July 1, 2026 |
| Application deadline | October 15, 2026 |
| Closing time | 15:00 Lisbon time |
| Typical duration | 3–8 months |
| Formal regulations | Up to 9 months |
| Funding | Monthly stipend |
| Travel | Travel expenses included |
| Insurance | Travel and health insurance included |
| Housing | Partial housing allowance |
| Number normally awarded | Up to 15 annually under the regulations |
| Fields | Broad range of non-laboratory and non-experimental fields |
| Eligible profiles | Academics, emeriti, independent scholars, other professionals and artists |
| Research project | Applicant’s own proposed work |
| Application method | Individual application |
| Required account | MyGulbenkian |
| Selection | Competitive international process |
| Final selection | GIAS Advisory Board |
| Fellowship offers | From late January following application |
What Is the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study?
The Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study is an independent institute established by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Its purpose is to provide accomplished scholars with time and space to pursue research of their own choosing in an intellectually stimulating environment with few routine obligations.
GIAS describes its model as one designed to encourage:
- Reflection
- Concentration
- Intellectual exchange
- Independent research
- Cross-disciplinary interaction
The Institute was established in 2025 and welcomed its inaugural cohort for the 2026/27 academic year.
Applications Are Open for 2027–2028
The current GIAS call is officially open.
Applications began on:
July 1, 2026
and close on:
October 15, 2026 at 15:00 Lisbon time.
Applicants should pay attention to the specified Lisbon closing time rather than assuming they can submit until midnight in their own country.
How Long Is the Fellowship?
The current Foundation call describes fellowships as typically lasting:
between three and eight months.
The governing fellowship regulations provide for individual awards with a minimum duration of three months and a maximum of nine months.
Applicants should therefore propose a period appropriate to their project while following the duration options available in the current application form.
Where Does the Fellowship Take Place?
The fellowship is residential and based at the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study in Lisbon, Portugal.
GIAS explains that the physical-residence requirement is intended to facilitate intellectual interaction among fellows.
This is therefore not presented as a remote fellowship.
Applicants should expect to spend the agreed fellowship period in Lisbon.
What Does the Gulbenkian Fellowship Cover?
The official current call confirms four important forms of financial support:
- Travel expenses
- Travel and health insurance
- Monthly stipend
- Partial housing allowance
This makes the fellowship financially supported rather than simply providing access to research facilities.
Monthly Stipend
Each fellowship includes a:
monthly stipend.
However, the Foundation does not publish one universal stipend figure on the current call page.
Instead, the amount of the fellowship is established after the applicant has been selected.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on unofficial websites claiming a fixed monthly stipend unless that amount is independently confirmed by GIAS.
Travel Expenses
The fellowship includes:
travel expenses.
This is particularly important for international fellows travelling to Portugal for their residency.
The current public page does not provide a universal maximum travel allowance or specify that every possible travel-related expense will be reimbursed.
Travel and Health Insurance
GIAS also includes:
travel and health insurance
as part of the fellowship conditions.
This provides additional support for fellows temporarily relocating to Portugal.
Housing Support
Successful applicants receive a:
partial housing allowance.
The word partial is important.
The programme does not state on the current call page that accommodation in Lisbon is completely free or that all housing costs will be covered.
Applicants should therefore budget accordingly.
Is the Gulbenkian Fellowship Fully Funded?
The fellowship provides a substantial funding package, including:
- Monthly stipend
- Travel expenses
- Travel and health insurance
- Partial housing allowance
However, describing it simply as fully funded could overstate the official terms because housing support is explicitly described as partial, and the total award varies according to individual circumstances.
A more accurate description is:
a funded residential fellowship offering a stipend, travel, insurance and partial housing support.
How Is the Fellowship Amount Determined?
There is no single public award amount applicable to every fellow.
The Foundation states that the amount is established after selection.
The final award takes into consideration:
- Expected length of stay
- Individual circumstances of the fellow
The total amount awarded across fellowships must also remain within the programme’s annual budget.
How Many Fellowships Are Available?
The governing GIAS regulations state that:
up to 15 fellowships may be awarded each year.
In exceptional circumstances, more than 15 may be awarded provided that the total annual fellowship budget is not exceeded.
The inaugural 2026/27 cohort consisted of 15 fellows, providing a useful indication of the Institute’s intended cohort size.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship has unusually broad professional eligibility.
The official regulations state that eligible applicants include individuals such as:
- Academics with formal institutional affiliations
- Academics working independently
- Emeritus professors
- Professionals outside academia
- Artists
The current call similarly states that GIAS will host international academics while also considering:
- Emeriti
- Independent scholars
- Artists
This makes the programme broader than a conventional postdoctoral fellowship restricted exclusively to university-employed researchers.
Are International Applicants Eligible?
Yes.
The current call explicitly states that GIAS will host:
international academics.
The programme also aims to bring together scholars from diverse:
- Disciplines
- Backgrounds
- Nationalities
The inaugural cohort demonstrates this international character, bringing together fellows associated with universities and organisations in different countries.
Do You Need to Be a University Professor?
No.
Eligibility is not restricted to professors.
GIAS also considers:
- Independent scholars
- Professionals
- Emeriti
- Artists
This can make the programme particularly interesting for accomplished researchers whose careers do not follow a conventional permanent-university path.
Do You Need a PhD?
The current public call and regulations do not state a universal PhD requirement for every category of applicant.
Because eligible candidates can include artists, independent scholars and professionals outside academia, applicants should not assume that possession of a doctorate is the sole route to eligibility.
The central issue is whether the applicant and proposed project fit the intellectual purpose and selection standards of GIAS.
Which Academic Fields Are Eligible?
GIAS accepts applications across a broad range of disciplines.
The regulations state that applications can be submitted in:
any scientific field
provided the proposed work does not require laboratory or experimental procedures.
The current call describes eligible areas as most:
non-laboratorial and non-experimental fields.
Which Projects Are Not Suitable?
The current call indicates that proposed work should not be:
primarily practice- or application-oriented.
Projects requiring substantial:
- Laboratory work
- Experimental facilities
are also outside the programme’s normal scope.
This is an important consideration for applicants in scientific and technical disciplines.
Can Artists Apply?
Yes.
Artists are explicitly included among the types of applicants GIAS may consider.
However, applicants should remember that the programme’s intellectual orientation and restrictions concerning primarily practice-oriented projects still matter.
An artist’s proposal should therefore be developed in a way that fits the Institute’s advanced-study environment.
Can Independent Scholars Apply?
Yes.
GIAS explicitly welcomes applications from independent scholars.
This is significant because many prestigious residential fellowships require an active university appointment.
GIAS does not impose that restriction universally.
Can Emeritus Professors Apply?
Yes.
Emeriti are explicitly eligible.
This means the programme is not restricted to early-career or mid-career scholars.
Is There an Age Limit?
The current call does not state a minimum or maximum age.
Applicants should therefore not rely on unofficial age limits unless GIAS publishes one.
What Kind of Project Can You Pursue?
Fellows are encouraged to pursue:
projects of their own choosing.
This degree of intellectual freedom is central to the GIAS model.
The Institute aims to create an environment where fellows have time to:
- Think
- Write
- Research
- Develop ideas
- Exchange perspectives with other fellows
without extensive formal obligations.
What Does GIAS Look for in a Proposal?
The official current call identifies two particularly important factors:
quality and originality.
Applications are assessed through a competitive international process, and the quality and originality of the proposed work are central considerations.
Applicants should therefore avoid submitting a proposal that merely describes routine professional work.
The project should demonstrate a strong intellectual purpose and a clear reason why dedicated time at an Institute for Advanced Study would be valuable.
Innovative and Unusual Projects May Be Valuable
GIAS states that it may give special attention to:
innovative and unusual proposals
including proposals whose subject matter may have made it difficult for their authors to obtain funding from comparable institutions.
This is potentially important for scholars pursuing unconventional or cross-disciplinary research.
Do Projects Have to Be Interdisciplinary?
The Institute seeks to build an intellectually diverse community, but its philosophy is not based on forcing fellows into collaborative projects.
GIAS emphasizes creating conditions where researchers working in very different areas can make their work intelligible to one another through informal exchange.
Applicants should therefore focus first on the quality of their own project.
What Facilities Do Fellows Receive?
GIAS states that fellows will have access to facilities including:
- Individual private working spaces
- Small seminar rooms
- Fellows’ lounge
- Reference library
- Electronic research resources
- Institute restaurant
- Larger university libraries in the Lisbon area
Fellows also receive permanent access to the campus during their residency.
What Are the Fellows’ Obligations?
The programme is deliberately designed to have:
few regular obligations.
The aim is to give fellows substantial time for their own intellectual work.
Opportunities may exist to organise:
- Internal seminars
- Discussion groups
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Small conferences
but GIAS emphasizes that intellectual interaction should not be forced.
Is Public Engagement Mandatory?
No.
Some fellow interactions may occasionally become public events, but GIAS states that fellows who do not wish to participate in such activities should be able to continue their work undisturbed.
How Are Fellows Selected?
Applications go through a:
competitive international process.
The final cohort is selected by the:
GIAS Advisory Board.
The quality and originality of the proposed work are central to the assessment.
How Competitive Is the Gulbenkian Fellowship?
The Foundation does not publish an acceptance rate for the current 2027/28 call.
However, the programme normally awards up to 15 fellowships annually, and the previous cohort was selected following what GIAS described as a highly competitive international call.
Applicants should therefore expect substantial competition.
A precise acceptance percentage should not be claimed without applicant-volume data.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their applications:
individually.
The current fellowship page states that applications should include:
- Curriculum vitae
- Brief description of the proposed work at GIAS
- Names of two referees
The Institute’s general information further explains that application materials include two letters of reference sent directly to GIAS.
Applicants should follow the current application portal instructions for the exact procedure and document format.
Curriculum Vitae
The CV should allow reviewers to understand the applicant’s:
- Academic or professional background
- Research experience
- Publications or creative work
- Major accomplishments
- Current intellectual interests
The official page does not specify a universal CV page limit in the information reviewed here.
Project Description
Applicants need to provide a brief description of what they propose to do during their time at GIAS.
This is likely to be one of the most important parts of the application because the selection process emphasizes the quality and originality of the proposed work.
Referees
Applicants must provide:
two referees.
GIAS states that the associated reference letters are sent directly to the Institute.
Candidates should select referees capable of evaluating the quality and originality of their intellectual work.
MyGulbenkian Account
Applicants need a:
MyGulbenkian account
to apply.
Candidates without an account must create one before completing the application.
Applicants should do this early rather than waiting until the final hours before the October deadline.
How to Apply for the Gulbenkian Institute Fellowship 2027–2028
A practical application process is:
Step 1 — Confirm Your Project Fits GIAS
Make sure the project:
- Is intellectually substantial
- Does not depend on laboratory or experimental facilities
- Is not primarily practice-oriented
- Can benefit from a residential period in Lisbon
Step 2 — Decide on an Appropriate Fellowship Period
The current call describes residencies as typically lasting three to eight months.
Choose a period appropriate to your proposed work.
Step 3 — Create a MyGulbenkian Account
An account is required before applying.
Step 4 — Prepare Your CV
Present your intellectual, academic, professional or artistic record clearly.
Step 5 — Write Your Project Description
Explain what you intend to accomplish during the residency.
Step 6 — Select Two Referees
Choose people who understand your work well and can provide credible evaluations.
Step 7 — Complete the Online Application
Submit through the Foundation’s application system.
Step 8 — Submit Before October 15
The deadline is:
October 15, 2026 at 15:00 Lisbon time.
When Will Applicants Receive Results?
The current call states that:
fellowship offers will be made from late January of the following year.
GIAS’s institutional information further says appointments are officially announced by the Institute by April 15.
Applicants should therefore expect the selection process to extend several months beyond the October deadline.
Can Fellows Reapply Immediately?
GIAS states that appointments are not renewable and fellows may not reapply for another residence during the first:
five years after their previous residence.
This reinforces the fellowship’s nature as a limited residential appointment rather than continuing employment.
What Happened in the First GIAS Cohort?
GIAS selected 15 scholars for its inaugural 2026/27 cohort.
Their fields included:
- Art history
- Philosophy
- Musicology
- History
- Classics
- Psychiatry
- Political theory
- Literature
- Archaeology
- Cognitive linguistics
- Arts
The diversity of the first cohort demonstrates the programme’s broad disciplinary approach.
Does the Fellowship Require a University Affiliation?
No.
The Institute’s inaugural cohort included scholars with institutional affiliations as well as independent scholars, and the programme explicitly permits independent applicants.
Why the Lisbon Residency Matters
The GIAS model depends on physical presence.
The Institute wants fellows to have the opportunity for informal intellectual exchange while preserving substantial freedom to concentrate on their own work.
For researchers accustomed to:
- Teaching
- Administration
- Meetings
- Grant management
- Institutional responsibilities
several months with few routine obligations may provide valuable uninterrupted time for ambitious intellectual work.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Make the Project Original
Originality is explicitly part of the selection criteria.
Avoid presenting a proposal that looks like routine continuation of existing work without a clear intellectual purpose.
Explain Why You Need Dedicated Time
Show what several uninterrupted months could allow you to accomplish.
Keep the Project Feasible
Your proposed work should fit realistically within the residency period.
Demonstrate Intellectual Quality
The programme is designed for high-level intellectual work.
Your proposal should clearly communicate the significance of the questions you want to explore.
Show Why GIAS Is a Good Environment
Applicants should understand the Institute’s emphasis on:
- Independence
- Reflection
- Intellectual freedom
- Informal exchange
- Cross-disciplinary community
Choose Strong Referees
Select referees who can speak specifically about your intellectual abilities and achievements.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Calling It a Postdoctoral Fellowship Only
The programme is broader than a conventional postdoc.
Independent scholars, emeriti, professionals and artists can also be considered.
Assuming a PhD Is Universally Required
The current call does not state a universal doctorate requirement across all applicant categories.
Proposing Laboratory Research
Projects requiring laboratory or experimental procedures fall outside the programme’s normal eligibility framework.
Treating the Fellowship as a Remote Opportunity
It is a residential fellowship based in Lisbon.
Calling Housing Fully Covered
The official terms state partial housing allowance.
Inventing a Fixed Stipend
The Foundation says the amount is determined after selection.
Waiting Until the Deadline to Contact Referees
Two referees are part of the application process.
Missing the Time Zone
Applications close at 15:00 Lisbon time, not simply at the end of October 15 everywhere in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship?
It is a residential fellowship supporting accomplished scholars and other eligible intellectual or creative professionals who want to pursue independent projects at GIAS in Lisbon.
Are applications open for 2027–2028?
Yes.
GIAS identifies the current opportunity as its 2027/28 Fellowships Open Call.
What is the deadline?
October 15, 2026 at 15:00 Lisbon time.
When did applications open?
July 1, 2026.
Where is the fellowship based?
Lisbon, Portugal.
How long does the fellowship last?
The current call says typically three to eight months.
Does the fellowship provide a stipend?
Yes.
A monthly stipend is included.
Is the stipend amount published?
The current call does not provide one fixed universal amount. The final award is determined after selection based partly on the length of stay and the fellow’s circumstances.
Are travel expenses covered?
Travel expenses are included in the fellowship package.
Is health insurance provided?
The fellowship includes travel and health insurance.
Is accommodation free?
The programme specifies a partial housing allowance, not universally free accommodation.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
It is a funded fellowship, but “fully funded” may be too broad because housing support is explicitly partial and the award varies by circumstances.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes.
GIAS explicitly welcomes international academics.
Can independent scholars apply?
Yes.
Can artists apply?
Yes.
Can emeritus professors apply?
Yes.
Can professionals outside academia apply?
Yes, under the fellowship regulations.
Is a PhD required?
The current public information does not establish a universal PhD requirement for all eligible applicant categories.
Are all research fields eligible?
Most non-laboratory and non-experimental fields are considered, provided the proposed work fits the programme’s intellectual orientation.
Can I conduct laboratory research?
The programme is not designed for projects requiring laboratory or experimental procedures.
How many fellowships are normally awarded?
The regulations provide for up to 15 fellowships each year, with exceptional flexibility if the annual budget permits.
What documents are required?
The current call specifies a CV, brief project description and names of two referees.
Do I need a MyGulbenkian account?
Yes.
Who selects the fellows?
The final cohort is selected by the GIAS Advisory Board.
When will fellowship offers be made?
From late January of the following year.
Why the Gulbenkian Fellowship Is Worth Considering
The Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship 2027–2028 stands out because it combines financial support with substantial intellectual freedom.
Successful fellows receive:
- Monthly stipend
- Travel expenses
- Travel and health insurance
- Partial housing allowance
- Private working space
- Research-resource access
- Several months dedicated to independent work
- Membership in an international intellectual community
It is also unusually broad in its eligibility.
Rather than restricting applications to a specific academic rank or career stage, GIAS considers international academics, independent scholars, emeriti, professionals outside academia and artists.
For accomplished applicants with an original project that would benefit from uninterrupted time, intellectual exchange and residence in Lisbon, this makes GIAS a significant fellowship opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Applications are currently open for the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study Fellowships 2027–2028 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The programme offers successful fellows a monthly stipend, travel expenses, travel and health insurance, and partial housing support. The exact financial value is determined after selection according to factors including the proposed length of stay and individual circumstances.
GIAS welcomes a broad international applicant pool that can include academics, independent scholars, emeritus professors, professionals outside academia and artists. Projects can come from a wide range of disciplines, although laboratory, experimental and primarily practice-oriented work generally falls outside the programme’s scope.
Fellowships typically last three to eight months, giving successful applicants substantial time to pursue independent projects in a residential intellectual community with relatively few routine obligations.
Applicants need to prepare a curriculum vitae, a brief description of their proposed work and two referees, and applications must be submitted individually through the Gulbenkian system.
The deadline is October 15, 2026 at 15:00 Lisbon time, so prospective applicants should begin preparing their proposal and referee arrangements well before the closing date.
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