The MIT Portugal Program will sponsor up to 3 selected students to attend the 2026 Space Week activities on MIT’s campus from April 7 – 9, 2026. The applications are open between February 16 until February 27, 2026 by 11:59 pm Lisbon time.

Join us for three action-packed days celebrating space exploration across the MIT campus!

MIT Space Week, is the MIT’s future-looking event designed to build awareness around the present and future of space technology.

Space Week activities:

April 7 – SpaceTech 2026 – organized by MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics https://aeroastro.mit.edu/space-tech/agenda-spacetech-2025/

April 8 – Beyond the Cradle – organized by the MIT Media Lab https://www.media.mit.edu/events/beyond-the-cradle-envisioning-a-new-space-age/

April 9 – New Space Age Conference – organized by the MIT Sloan School of Management http://newspaceage.org/

The sponsorship will be awarded on a competitive basis for eligible students attending Portuguese universities. Only students working on their MSc dissertations and graduate students are eligible for the sponsorship.

Please read the details below carefully on how to apply for the sponsorship.

How to apply?

The application platform is hosted by the SlideRoom platform and can be directly accessed here: https://mitportugal.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/88227

Applications may only be submitted via the SlideRoom platform.

To prepare and submit your application, you need to register for a SlideRoom account. When registering, please pay attention to the contact details you list, as they will be used to send you notifications, results and other communications about the Space Week. To access the application form, please visit the above link and click on the button “Apply Now.” Login to your SlideRoom account or register to begin the application.

The application form is available to view and edit until the due date, and before you submit the application. As soon as you submit your application, you will not be able to un-submit or make any changes.

Students applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Your curriculum vitae (CV/resume). If you are working or studying in Portugal, your CV must be created on the CiênciaVitae platform.
2. An identification document (ID card, passport)
3. Proof of enrollment in the university for this academic year or a degree completion proof (if you already obtained a degree)
4. A motivation letter
5. A recommendation letter
6. Short video

By applying for this sponsorship, you commit to submit a 2-page trip summary (activities report) and photographs upon completion of the events.

Student Sponsorship Rules

• Students supported by this sponsorship of up to $1,800.00 USD are exempt from paying any registration fees;
• Travel subsidies are reimbursements provided AFTER you have completed the Space Week events and submitted your activities report;
• The following expenses are eligible for reimbursement: economy flight ticket, hotel / lodging, food and local transportation for the datesApril 6-10, which include arrival and departure dates.

Please note that flight and hotel receipts must match the traveler’s name. The total reimbursement has a maximum of $1,800. Travelers are responsible for any other expenses over this amount.

Travelers can stay longer/arrive earlier but they will be responsible for all expenses on the extra days.

Please note we cannot reimburse ESTA & visa fees.

• To receive your student subsidy, email mitportugal@mit.edu your travel receipts and your bank account information. We will let you know the exact bank details we need. The reimbursement will be deposited to your bank account.

Terms of Admission

MIT Portugal reserves the right to withdraw or rescind an offer of admission under any of the following conditions:

1. Any part of your application contains misrepresentations;
2. You engage in behavior that brings into question your honesty, maturity, or professional suitability; or
3. You engage in conduct that violates MIT policy.

All admission decisions are final.

GDPR Statement

By applying for the student sponsorship, we will be collecting personal data about yourself. This data will only be used for the purpose of awarding the Student Sponsorship for attending SPACE WEEK at MIT. It will not be sold, shared or made public in any circumstance.

By filling out the form and sending the support documentation you agree that we will process your data this way.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@mitportugal.org.

SUMMARY:

As a student working on your MSc dissertations OR graduate student (MSc or PhD Student) enrolled in a Portuguese university, you may apply for a student sponsorship which will provide you with travel, food and accommodation reimbursement (a total of up to $1,800.00 USD) to attend SPACE WEEK at MIT in April 7–9, 2026.