Fifteen, That’s how many fellows the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study selected in its inaugural 2026–27 cohort. Historians, philosophers, political theorists, archaeologists, musicologists, literary scholars, and artists — fifteen people given three to eight months in Lisbon to work on nothing but their own research.
No teaching obligations. No coursework. No laboratory schedules. Just protected time, a residential community of international researchers, and the intellectual environment of one of Europe’s most respected cultural foundations.
The 2027–28 competition is now open. The deadline is October 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Lisbon time.
Gulbenkian Institute Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study (GIAS) |
| Location | Lisbon, Portugal (residential) |
| Duration | Approximately 3 to 8 months |
| Who Can Apply | Established academics, independent scholars, artists |
| Cohort Size | 15 fellows (inaugural year) |
| Stipend | Provided |
| Housing Allowance | Included |
| Deadline | October 15, 2026 |
What This Fellowship Actually Offers
- Fellows receive a monthly stipend during their stay.
- A housing allowance is also provided.
- Fellows get access to the Gulbenkian Institute campus, research facilities, and working environment in Lisbon.
- The fellowship requires full-time residence in Lisbon. It is not a remote fellowship and cannot be used while staying in your home country.
- The exact stipend and housing allowance are not publicly announced. The final amount and covered expenses will be shared with selected fellows in their official offer.
- Participants may also organize seminars, workshops, or lectures during their fellowship, but this is optional.
- The program gives fellows the time and freedom to focus on their own research without unnecessary institutional responsibilities.
ALso See: Royal Society University Research Fellowship 2027
This Is Not a Student Scholarship
Worth stating plainly, because the word “fellowship” attracts a wide range of applicants who may not be the right fit.
The Gulbenkian Institute fellowship targets established researchers with a recognized body of work. The eligible pool includes senior academics, emeritus professors, independent scholars with substantial intellectual records, and practising artists.
Master’s students, standard PhD applicants, and early-career researchers without an established record are unlikely to be competitive here. The inaugural cohort — fifteen people drawn from history, philosophy, political theory, archaeology, literature, musicology, and the arts — gives a clear signal about the seniority and breadth of what the selection committee is looking for.
The fellowship also has subject boundaries worth knowing. Proposed projects must not require laboratory facilities or experimental infrastructure. Work that is primarily practical, technical, or application-oriented is unlikely to align with the Institute’s purpose.
Humanities, social sciences, arts, and theoretically oriented research across most academic disciplines are within scope. Lab science is not.
How Fellows Are Selected
Applications go to the GIAS Advisory Board for international competitive review. Four considerations carry the most weight:
- The quality and originality of the proposed project
- Evidence of a distinguished intellectual or creative record
- Whether the project suits concentrated residential study
- Compatibility with the Institute’s interdisciplinary environment
The proposal is the centerpiece of the application. It should explain clearly what the applicant intends to accomplish in Lisbon and — critically — why several months of protected research time would produce something that couldn’t be achieved otherwise.
Generic proposals describing broad research interests won’t work here. The committee is looking for specificity: a defined project, a clear sense of what completion looks like, and a convincing case for why residency in Lisbon is the right context for that work.
The Application Process for GIAS Fellowship
Applications are submitted individually through a MyGulbenkian account on the Foundation’s portal.
Required materials:
- Curriculum vitae
- Brief description of proposed activities during residency
- Names of two referees (who may be contacted for letters)
The application is relatively lean by fellowship standards. That leanness shouldn’t be mistaken for simplicity. With only 15 places and an international applicant pool of established researchers, the weight falls entirely on the CV and the project description.
Two practical notes before submitting:
First, create your MyGulbenkian account before the deadline date rather than on it. Portal traffic tends to spike in the final hours before competitive deadlines close.
Second, notify your referees early. They may be contacted directly by the Institute — giving them advance notice prevents delays that could affect your application.
Official Link
The Non-Renewable Rule
The fellowship cannot be renewed, and former fellows cannot apply again within five years of their previous residency.
For researchers weighing whether to apply now or wait for a future cycle: the five-year restriction means there’s no obvious advantage to deferring. If the project is ready and the timing works, the 2027–28 competition is the right moment.