Azores to host summer course for Portuguese-American youth - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Regional Government, the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) and the University of the Azores are promoting the first edition of the "FLAD Summer Programme – Azores" this year, an initiative aimed at young people of Azorean descent from the United States of America. The summer course will take place from July 1 to 17 at the University of the Azores on the São Miguel and Terceira island campuses.

This initiative falls within the cooperation protocol established by the three entities and is aimed at U.S. citizens of Azorean descent, aged between 18 and 25. For this first edition, up to 20 participants will be selected, providing them with a unique and immersive educational and cultural experience in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

The FLAD Summer Programme - Azores has as its main goals to deepen knowledge on the natural, historical and cultural heritage of the archipelago, strengthen scientific, cultural and economic relations between the Azores and Azorean communities in the United States of America, as well as encourage a spirit of initiative and community leadership among the new Portuguese-American generations.

The academic programme, taught in English, includes theoretical classes, seminars, as well as practical and cultural field trips, involving the four faculties of the University of the Azores: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Economics and Management, Science and Technology, and Social and Human Sciences. Successful completion of the programme awards six ECTS credits, equivalent to three academic credits in the United States of America, along with a bilingual certificate of participation and completion.

The costs associated with participation, including travel, accommodation, and tuition fees, are covered by the organisation, with selected students only required to pay a symbolic registration fee of €50.

Applications opened on January 20 and run until February 28, 2026.  Submissions must be made online through the University of the Azores platform: InforEstudante - University of the Azores. They must also include a set of documents in English, namely an academic and professional CV, a letter of motivation, a letter of recommendation, and evidence of academic background. If necessary, and as part of the selection process, candidates may be called for an interview.

The selection process will be jointly conducted by the University of the Azores, FLAD, and the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, based on academic criteria, geographical diversity, motivation, and community leadership potential.

The initiative intends to reiterate the organisers' commitment to strengthening historical, cultural and human ties with the Azorean diaspora, highlighting the strategic role of emigrant communities in promoting the Region internationally.

This joint organisation is part of the celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of FLAD, established on May 20, 1985, the 50th anniversary of the University of the Azores, founded on January 9, 1976, and the 50th anniversary of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, established on April 2, 1976.

Its implementation stems from the cooperation protocol signed on November 20, 2025, in Ponta Delgada, by the President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, the Rector of the University of the Azores, Susana Mira Leal, and the then President of FLAD, Nuno Morais Sarmento.

For further information, interested parties may contact FLAD ([email protected]), the University of the Azores ([email protected]) or the Regional Directorate for the Communities of the Regional Government ([email protected]).