The U.S. Embassy in Portugal has opened applications for the 2026 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Secondary Educators, a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The initiative offers fully funded summer academic programs aimed at secondary school educators and administrators residing and teaching in Portugal.
Applications are due by Sunday, January 4, 2026. The program is not open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The SUSIs are designed as intensive post-graduate level academic experiences that help foreign secondary educators deepen their understanding of American society, history, and institutions. According to the embassy, “The overall program goals are to strengthen curricula; provide educators and administrators with resources to teach about the United States in secondary schools and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad.”
Each institute will last five weeks, beginning between late May and early June 2026 at various U.S. academic institutions. Participants will also take part in a one-week integrated field experience in another region of the United States.
The program brings together three multinational groups of 20 experienced educators each—including teachers, administrators, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others—to focus on developing high school-level curricula about the United States. Two institutes target teachers specifically, while a third is tailored for administrators.
Institutes use a mix of traditional and interdisciplinary approaches and include lectures, panels, seminars, workshops, site visits, meetings with practitioners, and cultural activities over four weeks at host universities. A fifth week is dedicated to an academic field experience elsewhere in the country.
Participants will receive materials on topics such as patriotic education and key American documents like the Gettysburg Address and Constitution. Visits to historical sites are also planned.
The University of Montana will oversee all three institutes: two for teachers (one administered by UM itself), with another teacher-focused institute held at the Institute for Training and Development in Amherst, Massachusetts. California State University at Chico will conduct the administrator-focused institute.
Applicants should be mid-career professionals aged roughly 30-50 who work with students aged 14-18 years old. Priority is given to those seeking to update or develop courses focused on U.S. studies or who have limited prior experience in the United States.
All costs—including travel allowances (domestic and international), housing, meals, books, incidentals, visa fees—are covered by the program. Participants must be proficient in English; suitability will be confirmed through an interview conducted by an American officer at the embassy.
Housing arrangements typically involve private rooms during residency but may require sharing hotel rooms during field experiences. Most meals are provided on campus or participants may have access to kitchen facilities.
Special accommodations regarding diet or medical needs will be addressed as much as possible. Health coverage is provided through the Department of State’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE), which covers up to $100,000 per participant with specified co-pays; further details can be found at https://www.sevencorners.com/gov/usdos.
Qualified candidates will be interviewed by mid-January 2026; notifications regarding selection status are expected in spring 2026.