Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars Program 2025 (Portugal)

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Scholars are intensive post-graduate level academic programs that provide foreign university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The program goal is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad.

Institutes will take place at various colleges, universities, and academic institutions throughout the United States over the course of five to six weeks between late-May and early July-2025; exact dates for each Institute will be communicated in spring 2025. Each Institute includes a four-week academic residency component and a one-week integrated study tour in the United States. Should health, safety and travel conditions pose significant challenges, the programs may pivot to a modified virtual format.

Themes

• Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars comprise the following themes in U.S. Studies:
  • American Politics and Political Thought: The Institute on American Politics and Political Thought will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and practitioners insight into how intellectual and political movements have influenced American political institutions and American democracy.
  • Contemporary American Literature: The Institute on Contemporary American Literature will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of contemporary American literature.
  • Journalism and Media: The Institute on Journalism and Media will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign journalism instructors and other related specialists with a deeper understanding of the roles that journalism and the media play in U.S. society.
  • U.S. Culture, Identity, and Society: The Institute on U.S. Culture, Identity, and Society will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and other specialists with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions through the lens of diversity and national unity.
  • U.S. Economics and Sustainable Development: The Institute on U.S. Economics and Sustainable Development will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced foreign university faculty, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers with a deeper understanding of key components and structures of the U.S. economy.
  • U.S. Foreign Policy: The Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of new approaches to U.S. foreign policy and how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented.

Program Specifications

• All participants are expected to participate fully in the program. Candidates should be aware that they are applying for an intensive program and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The Institute is not a research program. Participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings. If the program is conducted virtually, the same participation requirements apply. The Institute curriculum will not formally address teaching methodology and pedagogical methods. Institutes focus on U.S. studies with only a brief focus on the U.S. education system itself. Family members and/or friends may not accompany participants on any part of the program.

Benefits

• Program Funding: All participant costs will be covered; travel allowances, domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence; as well as arrange and pay for participants’ international and visa travel costs and travel allowances within set limits.
• Housing and Meal Arrangements: When possible, each participant will have a private room with a shared bathroom during the residency portion (four weeks) of the Institute. However, private room accommodations are not guaranteed. During the study tour (up to two weeks), participants will likely share a hotel room with another participant of the same gender. During the residency, housing will typically be in college or university-owned housing. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.
• Special Accommodations: Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied. Special accommodations will be made available to the greatest extent possible.
• Travel Arrangements: International and visa travel will be arranged for all Institutes. The host institution will provide each participant with a small travel allowance. In all Institutes, the host institutions will cover the cost of any program-related travel within the United States during the Institute.
• Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefit during the U.S. based in-person component which provides coverage of up to $100,000 with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and a $75 co-pay per emergency room visit for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions may be covered up to $100,000, subject to policy exclusions and limitations.

Eligibility Criteria

• Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars are highly competitive. Institutes are rigorous and demanding academic programs conducted entirely in English. Participants will be expected to read and comprehend substantial written materials and assignments in English and to fully and actively participate in all seminar and panel discussions. English fluency is vital to a successful experience in the Institute, for participants as individuals and to foster a cohesive and interactive group. To confirm suitability for the program as well as the required English fluency an American officer at the U.S. Embassy will interview the proposed nominee in English
• Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly motivated, experienced scholars and professionals from institutions of higher education or research-focused organizations (not-for-profits, think tanks, etc.).
• Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program. The program schedule and syllabus are designed for the group and sessions and will not be customized to individual interests. Candidates should make sure they are comfortable with campus life and an active program schedule.
• Ideal candidates come from home institution seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop new courses in the Institute subject, to enhance and update existing courses on the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for professionals in U.S. studies areas related to the program theme. While the nominee’s scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, the potential impact and multiplier effect from their participation in the Institute is equally important.
• Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update, or develop courses and/or educational materials with U.S. studies focus or component; and who have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties as well as to candidates who have limited or no prior experience in the United States.

Ineligibility Criteria

• U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Portugal.