Under the cooperation protocol between the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Fund for Science and Technology, and the Fulbright Commission, four research grants were awarded for the 2023/2024 academic year.

The 2023 results of this joint Azores-USA exchange programme acknowledged the merit of four young researchers who will begin their research programmes next September.

It should be noted that the new cooperation protocol signed in November 2022 established the conditions for the annual opening of two separate competitions: a competition aimed at young researchers residing in the Azores to conduct research in renowned US centres or universities and another specifically designed for US students and researchers to study or conduct research in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

The two selected Azorean researchers, working in the areas of Software Engineering and Geosciences, will further develop their studies in US research centres of excellence, namely Carnegie Mellon University and the United States Geological Survey.

In turn, the University of the Azores will welcome two young US researchers working in the areas of Creative Writing (Humanities) and Maritime Spatial Planning (Natural Sciences), who will pursue their studies and research with Azorean researchers of excellence.

The Vice-President of the Government, Artur Lima, stated that “these results are extremely positive and show the commitment of this Government to a high and competitive qualification of our human resources, but also evidences the excellence of our Region to host young Americans in the Azores.”

Artur Lima also added: “I congratulate the four new Fulbrighters, who will begin their research programmes this year, wishing them success in their work.”