Decreto n.º 12/2015

Estatuto jurídico da Comissão para o Intercâmbio Educacional entre os Estados Unidos da América e Portugal

1 -A Comissão para o Intercâmbio Educacional entre os Estados Unidos da América e Portugal (doravante designada por «a Comissão Luso-Americana para o Intercâmbio Educacional» ou «a Comissão») manter-se-á.
2 -Para o exercício das suas funções e a prossecução dos seus objetivos, tal como definidos neste Acordo, a Comissão goza da mais ampla capacidade jurídica reconhecida às pessoas coletivas pelo Direito português, incluindo a capacidade para contratar e adquirir e alienar bens móveis e imóveis.
3 -As Partes reconhecem a Comissão como uma instituição autónoma criada e estabelecida para executar programas de intercâmbio educacional e cultural que têm por base a prestação de assistência e de serviços, tais como:
1. a)A prestação de apoio financeiro a cidadãos da República Portuguesa e a cidadãos e nacionais dos Estados Unidos da América sob a forma de bolsas de estudo, subsídios ou prémios para cobrir os custos relacionados com viagens, propinas, alojamento, ou subsistência, bem como custos relacionados com outras formas de atividades de intercâmbio, mediante aprovação prévia dos órgãos das Partes responsáveis pela aplicação deste Acordo identificados no artigo 13.º; e
2. b)O aconselhamento de estudantes em matéria de educação, investigação, cultura, informação, bem como a prestação de outros serviços especificados neste Acordo.
4 -Estes programas educacionais e culturais e os custos de funcionamento da Comissão relacionados com a execução de tais programas são financiados pelos fundos concedidos à Comissão de acordo com o disposto neste Acordo.
5 -A Comissão pode envidar esforços para obter de outras fontes fundos ou contribuições em espécie para financiar programas educacionais e culturais e a sua execução.

Escritório da Comissão

A República Portuguesa providencia à Comissão instalações, em Lisboa, num local adequado e de acesso público e suporta as respetivas despesas com locação e em serviços.

Artigo 3.º

Atividades da Comissão

1 -A Comissão tem o direito de realizar as seguintes atividades:
1. a)O planeamento, a adoção e a realização de programas de intercâmbio educacional e cultural, tal como descritos no n.º 3 do artigo 1.º supra, com base nos interesses e necessidades de ambas as Partes, através de:
  1. i)Financiamento de estudos, investigação, formação e outras atividades educacionais de ou para:
    (alfa). Cidadãos e nacionais dos Estados Unidos da América na República Portuguesa, e
    (beta). Cidadãos da República Portuguesa nos Estados Unidos da América;
  2. ii)Financiamento de visitas e intercâmbios de estudantes, investigadores, professores, formadores, professores universitários, artistas e profissionais entre as Partes; e
  3. iii)Financiamento e/ou realização de outro tipo de aconselhamento de estudantes em matéria de educação, investigação e informação, bem como de outras atividades.
2. b)A submissão à aprovação do J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board [Conselho J. William Fulbright para Bolsas de Estudo para Estrangeiros] dos Estados Unidos da América (doravante designado por o «Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board»), - designado pelo Presidente dos Estados Unidos da América e tem a sua sede nos Estados Unidos da América - de estudantes, académicos, investigadores, professores, formadores, artistas e profissionais selecionados pela Comissão para participarem em tais programas, bem como de instituições na República Portuguesa ou nos Estados Unidos da América propostas pela Comissão para participarem em tais programas.
3. c)Recomendação de candidatos que sejam cidadãos e nacionais dos Estados Unidos da América às organizações relevantes na República Portuguesa para estudos, investigação, formação e outras atividades educacionais na República Portuguesa, bem como a seleção de candidatos que sejam cidadãos da República Portuguesa para estudos, investigação, formação e outras atividades educacionais nas organizações relevantes nos Estados Unidos.
2 -A Comissão tem o direito de realizar outras atividades fora do âmbito deste Acordo, mas em consonância com ele. Essas outras atividades são financiadas por outras fontes que não as previstas com base neste Acordo, sendo, em especial, quaisquer custos administrativos incorridos com a gestão de tais atividades também financiados por essas outras fontes.

Parte II - Órgãos da Comissão

Artigo 4.º

Estrutura da Comissão

A Comissão é composta por um Conselho Diretivo, dois Copresidentes honorários, um Tesoureiro e um Vice-Tesoureiro, um Diretor Executivo, e pessoal.

Artigo 5.º

O Conselho Diretivo

1 -A Comissão é governada por um Conselho Diretivo de dez membros. O Conselho Diretivo é constituído por cinco cidadãos dos Estados Unidos da América e cinco cidadãos da República Portuguesa.
2 -Os membros do Conselho Diretivo são designados por mandatos de três anos, com possibilidade de renovação por um período adicional de três anos.
3 -As reuniões do Conselho Diretivo podem realizar-se noutros locais que não o escritório da Comissão, conforme possa ser ocasionalmente decidido pelo Conselho Diretivo.
4 -As funções do Conselho Diretivo incluem:
1. a)Elaborar um programa anual de atividades da Comissão com respetivas contribuições financeiras para posterior aprovação pelos órgãos das Partes responsáveis pela aplicação deste Acordo;
2. b)Preparar, em cada ano fiscal, um relatório das atividades da Comissão, cujo formato e conteúdo são determinados pelas Partes, e submeter esses relatórios aos órgãos das Partes responsáveis pela aplicação deste Acordo;
3. c)Submeter, em cada ano fiscal, as contas da Comissão a uma auditoria externa, cujos resultados são submetidos aos órgãos das Partes responsáveis pela aplicação deste Acordo. Se uma das Partes o solicitar, o Conselho Diretivo também permitirá outra auditoria das suas contas efetuada por representantes de uma ou das duas Partes;
4. d)Autorizar o desembolso de fundos e propor a concessão de subsídios, incluindo o pagamento de transporte, alojamento, alimentação, propinas, subsistência e outras despesas conexas, designadamente seguros, no caso de o Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board aprovar candidatos particulares para participarem no programa da Comissão, bem como a atribuição de apoio financeiro, dentro dos limites e condições aqui definidos;
5. e)Lançar um concurso público, geral, para selecionar e recrutar o Diretor Executivo da Comissão, bem como definir quaisquer salários e benefícios a pagar ao Diretor Executivo; e
6. f)Aprovar qualquer pessoal a recrutar, sob proposta do Diretor Executivo, e, para além disso, quaisquer salários e benefícios a pagar ao referido pessoal.
5 -O Conselho Diretivo adota os estatutos e as regras de procedimento da Comissão no prazo de seis meses após a entrada em vigor do presente Acordo, bem como quaisquer emendas subsequentes aos mesmos.

Artigo 6.º

O Presidente do Conselho Diretivo

O Presidente é eleito pelo Conselho Diretivo de entre os seus membros por um ano, desde que a Presidência seja assumida alternadamente por um cidadão dos Estados Unidos da América e um cidadão da República Portuguesa. O Presidente age em nome do Conselho Diretivo, em todos os assuntos.

Artigo 7.º

Tesoureiro e Vice-Tesoureiro da Comissão

O Tesoureiro e o Vice-Tesoureiro da Comissão são eleitos pelo Conselho Diretivo de entre os seus membros, sujeito a aprovação ou destituição do Conselho Diretivo. Um deles deverá ser um cidadão dos Estados Unidos da América e o outro, um cidadão da República Portuguesa. O Tesoureiro e, na sua ausência, o Vice-Tesoureiro, desempenham funções de gestão financeira, conforme instruídos pelo Conselho Diretivo.

Artigo 8.º

Copresidentes honorários da Comissão

O Chefe da Missão diplomática dos Estados Unidos da América junto da República Portuguesa e um representante da República Portuguesa a nível ministerial são os Copresidentes Honorários da Comissão, com direito de participar nas reuniões do Conselho Diretivo como membros não votantes. O Copresidente Honorário americano tem o poder para designar e, em consonância com o Direito português, destituir os membros americanos do Conselho Diretivo, dois dos quais deverão ser funcionários do Foreign Service (Serviço de Relações Diplomáticas) dos Estados Unidos na República Portuguesa. O Copresidente honorário português tem o poder para designar e, em consonância com o Direito português, destituir, os membros portugueses do Conselho Diretivo, dois dos quais deverão ser representantes do Governo da República Portuguesa.

Artigo 9.º

Diretor Executivo da Comissão

1 -O Conselho Diretivo designa um Diretor Executivo por meio de um concurso geral, tal como indicado na alínea e) do n.º 4 do artigo 5.º
2 -O Diretor Executivo presta apoio ao Conselho Diretivo, conforme determina o Conselho Diretivo nos seus estatutos e regras de procedimentos, por mandatos de três anos renováveis, salvo decisão em contrário do Conselho Diretivo.

Artigo 10.º

Pessoal da Comissão

Na medida em que tal se revele necessário, o Diretor Executivo pode selecionar e recrutar pessoal para a Comissão, de acordo com um procedimento público e mediante aprovação prévia do Conselho Diretivo.

Parte III - Obrigações das Partes

Artigo 11.º

Obrigações financeiras

1 -As Partes alocam anualmente fundos ou contribuições em espécie à Comissão para efeitos do presente Acordo, sendo que a determinação atempada da disponibilidade de fundos, no início do ano fiscal em questão, é vital para o cumprimento dos compromissos assumidos no âmbito do intercâmbio.
2 -O montante das alocações feitas anualmente pelas Partes reflete a capacidade económica das Partes em cada ano.
3 -As Partes esforçam-se por manter um equilíbrio entre partilha de custos e apoio financeiro e em espécie para o Programa Fulbright a nível bilateral.

Artigo 12.º

Facilitação da Execução do Programa

As Partes envidam todos os esforços para facilitar os programas de intercâmbio mútuo de pessoas selecionadas pela Comissão e aprovadas pelo Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, e resolver problemas que possam surgir aquando da sua execução.

Parte IV - Disposições gerais e finais

Artigo 13.º

Órgãos das Partes responsáveis pela aplicação do Acordo

Os órgãos das Partes responsáveis pela aplicação deste Acordo são:

a)Pelos Estados Unidos da América, o Departamento de Estado; e
b)Pela República Portuguesa, o Ministério da Educação e Ciência e o Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros.

Artigo 14.º

Aplicação das leis e regulamentos das Partes

Este Acordo e as atividades dele decorrentes são executados de acordo com as leis e os regulamentos de ambas as Partes, incluindo aqueles que regem a disponibilidade de fundos.

Artigo 15.º

Solução de controvérsias

Qualquer controvérsia relativa à interpretação ou à aplicação deste Acordo será solucionada através de negociação, por via diplomática.

Artigo 16.º

Revisão

1 -Este Acordo pode, em qualquer momento, ser objeto de revisão por troca de notas diplomáticas entre as Partes.
2 -As emendas acordadas entrarão em vigor nos termos do artigo 18.º deste Acordo.

Artigo 17.º

Vigência e denúncia

1 -Este Acordo permanecerá em vigor por dez anos, podendo ser renovado por períodos sucessivos de dez anos, mediante consentimento mútuo, por escrito, das Partes.
2 -Este Acordo pode ser denunciado por qualquer uma das Partes mediante notificação escrita à outra Parte. Nesse caso, ele cessa a sua vigência no trigésimo dia do primeiro ano civil após a data de receção da notificação da denúncia pela outra Parte.
3 -A denúncia deste Acordo não afeta os programas em curso ao abrigo deste Acordo, salvo se ambas as Partes manifestarem intenção em contrário, por escrito e por via diplomática.
4 -Em caso de denúncia, quaisquer fundos, que ainda não tenham sido liquidados, e bens da Comissão são devolvidos às Partes na proporção das suas respetivas contribuições ou podem ser utilizados para fins semelhantes, conforme acordado por escrito e por via diplomática pelas Partes.

Artigo 18.º

Entrada em vigor

1 -Este Acordo entrará em vigor na data da última nota numa troca de notas entre as Partes indicando que cada Parte cumpriu os seus respetivos procedimentos internos para a entrada em vigor.
2 -No momento da sua entrada em vigor, o presente Acordo substituirá o Acordo entre o Governo Português e o Governo dos Estados Unidos da América Relativo ao Financiamento de Determinados Programas de Educação em Regime de Intercâmbio, assinado em Lisboa, em 19 de março de 1960.
Em fé do que os abaixo assinados, devidamente autorizados para o efeito, assinaram este Acordo.
Feito em Lisboa, a 11 de fevereiro de 2015, em duplicado, nas línguas portuguesa e inglesa, ambos os textos fazendo igualmente fé.
Pela República Portuguesa:
Nuno Crato, Ministro da Educação e Ciência.
Pelos Estados Unidos da América:
Robert A. Sherman, Embaixador dos Estados Unidos da América.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONCERNING THE CONTINUATION OF THE COMMISSION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND PORTUGAL.
The Portuguese Republic and the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as "the Parties"),
Consistent with the principles and purposes of the Agreement between the Government of Portugal and the Government of the United States of America for Financing Certain Educational Exchange Programs, signed on March 19, 1960, and amended on December 4, 1963, and September 3, 1982, through exchanges of diplomatic notes;
Desiring to continue programs to promote further mutual understanding between the peoples of the Portuguese Republic and the United States of America through educational and cultural contacts; and
Considering the mutual benefits derived from such programs and the desire of the Parties to cooperate and assist further in the administration of such programs for the further strengthening of international cooperation,
have agreed as follows:
PART I
Status and activities of the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Portugal
Article 1
Legal status of the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Portugal
1.The Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Portugal (hereinafter referred to as "the Portuguese-American Commission for Educational Exchange" or "the Commission") shall be continued.
2.The Commission shall enjoy the most extensive legal capacity accorded to legal persons under Portuguese law for the exercise of its functions and the fulfilment of its purposes as set forth in this Agreement, including the capacity to contract, and to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property.
3.The Parties shall recognize the Commission as an autonomous institution created and established for the implementation of educational and cultural exchange programs based on the provision of assistance and services, such as:
1. a)The provision of financial support to the citizens of the Portuguese Republic and citizens and nationals of the United States of America in the form of scholarships, grants or awards for costs related to travel, tuition, accommodation, or subsistence, and costs related to other forms of exchange activities, subject to prior approval of the Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement as identified in Article 13; and
2. b)The provision of educational, research, cultural, informational, student advising, and other services specified by this Agreement.
4.These educational and cultural programs, and the costs of the Commission's operation related to implementation of such programs, shall be financed from funds provided to the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
5.The Commission may undertake efforts in order to obtain funds or in-kind contributions from other sources for funding educational and cultural programs and implementation of such programs.
Article 2
Office of the Commission
The Portuguese Republic shall provide the Commission with office space in a suitable Lisbon location with public access, and shall cover related rent and utilities expenses.
Article 3
Activities of the Commission
1.The Commission shall be entitled to conduct the following activities:
1. a)On the basis of the interests and needs of both Parties, plan, adopt, and conduct educational and cultural exchange programs as described in Article 1, paragraph 3, above, by:
  1. i)Financing studies, research, instruction and other educational activities:
    (alfa). Of or for citizens and nationals of the United States of America in the Portuguese Republic, and
    (beta). Of or for citizens of the Portuguese Republic in the United States of America;
  2. ii)Financing visits and interchanges between the Parties of students, research scholars, teachers, instructors, professors, artists, and professionals; and
  3. iii)Financing and/or implementing other educational, research, informational, student advising, and other activities.
2. b)Submit to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board of the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as the "Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board") - appointed by the President of the United States of America and with its seat in the United States of America - for approval, students, academic scholars, research scholars, teachers, instructors, artists and professionals who are nominated by the Commission for participation in such programs, as well as proposals by the Commission for participation in such programs of institutions in the Portuguese Republic or in the United States of America.
3. c)Recommend to the relevant organizations in the Portuguese Republic candidates who are citizens and nationals of the United States of America for study, research, instruction, and other educational activities in the Portuguese Republic; and nominate to the relevant organizations in the United States candidates who are citizens of the Portuguese Republic for study, research, instruction, and other educational activities in the United States.
2.The Commission shall be entitled to carry out other activities outside the scope of, but consistent with, this Agreement. Such other activities shall be funded from sources other than those provided on the basis of this Agreement, and in particular, any administrative costs incurred for managing such activities shall be similarly funded by such other sources.
PART II
Bodies of the Commission
Article 4
Structure of the Commission
The Commission shall be composed of a Board of Directors, two Honorary Co-Chairpersons, a Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer, an Executive Director, and staff.
Article 5
The Board of Directors
1.The Commission shall be governed by a ten-member Board. The Board shall consist of five citizens of the United States of America and five citizens of the Portuguese Republic.
2.The Board members shall be appointed for three-year terms and shall be eligible for reappointment for an additional three years.
3.The meetings of the Board may be held in such other places than in the office of the Commission as the Board may from time to time determine.
4.The functions of the Board shall include:
1. a)Drafting for further approval, by the Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement, an annual activities program of the Commission and respective financial contributions;
2. b)Preparing each fiscal year a report of the activities of the Commission, the form and contents of which shall be specified by the Parties, and submit such reports to the Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement;
3. c)Submitting each fiscal year the accounts of the Commission to an external audit, whose results shall be submitted to the Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement. If so requested by one of the Parties, the Board shall also permit other auditing of its accounts by representatives of either or both Parties;
4. d)Authorizing the disbursement of funds and proposing the making of grants, including payment for transportation, accommodation, food, tuition, maintenance and other expenses incident thereto, namely insurances, if the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board approves individual applicants for participation in the Commission's program and of the granting of financial support, subject to the conditions and limitations as set forth herein;
5. e)Launching an open, public competition to select and employ the Executive Director of the Commission and to establish any salaries and benefits to be paid to the Executive Director; and
6. f)Approving any staff to be employed, under proposal by the Executive Director, and further approving any salaries and benefits to be paid to said staff.
5.The Board shall adopt the by-laws and procedural rules of the Commission within six months after the entry into force of the present Agreement, as well as any subsequent amendments thereto.
Article 6
Chairperson of the Board of Directors
A Chairperson shall be elected by the Board from its own membership for a period of service of one year, provided that the Chair shall be assumed alternately by a citizen of the United States of America and a citizen of the Portuguese Republic. The Chairperson shall act on behalf of the Board in all matters.
Article 7
Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer of the Commission
A Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer of the Commission shall be elected by the Board from its own membership, subject to approval or removal by the Board. One of them shall be a citizen of the United States of America and the other a citizen of the Portuguese Republic. The Treasurer, and in his or her absence the Vice-Treasurer, shall perform financial management duties as designated by the Board.
Article 8
Honorary Co-Chairpersons of the Commission
The Chief of the Diplomatic Mission of the United States of America to the Portuguese Republic and a representative of the Portuguese Republic at the ministerial level shall be Honorary Co-Chairpersons of the Commission, entitled to participate in Board meetings as non-voting members. The American Honorary Co-Chairperson shall have the power to appoint and, consistent with Portuguese law, remove, the American members of the Board, two of whom shall be Officers of the United States Foreign Service in the Portuguese Republic. The Portuguese Honorary Co-Chairperson shall have the power to appoint and, consistent with Portuguese law, remove, the Portuguese members of the Board, two of whom shall be governmental representatives of the Portuguese Republic.
Article 9
Executive Director of the Commission
1.The Board shall appoint an Executive Director pursuant to an open competition as indicated by Article 5, paragraph 4, subparagraph e).
2.The Executive Director shall serve the Board, as determined by the Board in its by-laws and procedural rules, for renewable three-year terms, unless the Board decides otherwise.
Article 10
Staff of the Commission
As necessary, the Executive Director may select and employ Commission staff, pursuant to a public process and prior Board approval.
PART III
Obligations of the Parties
Article 11
Financial obligations
1.The Parties shall make annual allocations of funds or contributions in-kind to the Commission for the purposes of this Agreement, with the understanding that a timely determination of the availability of funds, early in the fiscal year in question, is imperative to meet exchange commitments.
2.The amount of annual allocations by the Parties shall reflect the current economic capacity of the Parties.
3.The Parties shall endeavor to maintain a balance in cost-sharing and financial and in-kind support for the bilateral Fulbright Program.
Article 12
Facilitating program implementation
The Parties shall make every effort to facilitate the programs of mutual exchange of persons nominated by the Commission and approved by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, and to resolve problems that may arise in the operations thereof.
PART IV
General and final provisions
Article 13
Bodies of the Parties responsible for implementation of the Agreement
The Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement are:
1. a)For the United States of America, the Department of State; and
2. b)For the Portuguese Republic, the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  Article 14
  Operation of laws and regulations of the Parties
  This Agreement and activities arising from it shall be performed in accordance with the laws and regulations of both Parties, including those governing the availability of funds.
  Article 15
  Settlement of disputes
  Any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be settled through negotiation through diplomatic channels.
  Article 16
  Amendment
1.This Agreement may be amended at any time by the exchange of diplomatic notes between the Parties.
2.Amendments agreed upon shall enter into force in accordance with the terms specified in Article 18 of this Agreement.
Article 17
Duration and termination
1.This Agreement shall remain in force for ten years and may be renewed upon mutual written consent of the Parties for successive ten-year periods.
2.This Agreement may be terminated by either Party by providing written notification to the other Party, in which case it will terminate on the thirtieth day of the first calendar year following the date of receipt of the termination notice by the other Party.
3.The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the ongoing programs under this Agreement, except as otherwise expressed by both Parties, in writing and through diplomatic channels.
4.In case of termination, any unliquidated funds and property of the Commission shall be returned to the Parties in proportion to their respective contributions or, as agreed by the Parties in writing and through diplomatic channels, may be used for similar purposes.
Article 18
Entry into force
1.This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the later note in an exchange of notes between the Parties indicating that each Party has completed its internal procedures for entry into force.
2.Upon its entry into force, this Agreement shall supersede the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Portugal for Financing Certain Educational Exchange Programs, signed in Lisbon, on March 19, 1960.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Lisbon, this 11th day of February, 2015, in duplicate, in the Portuguese and English languages, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Portuguese Republic:
Nuno Crato, Minister of Education and Science.
For the United States of America:
Robert A. Sherman, Ambassador of the United States of America.

Artigo 18.º

Entrada em vigor

1 -Este Acordo entrará em vigor na data da última nota numa troca de notas entre as Partes indicando que cada Parte cumpriu os seus respetivos procedimentos internos para a entrada em vigor.
2 -No momento da sua entrada em vigor, o presente Acordo substituirá o Acordo entre o Governo Português e o Governo dos Estados Unidos da América Relativo ao Financiamento de Determinados Programas de Educação em Regime de Intercâmbio, assinado em Lisboa, em 19 de março de 1960.
Em fé do que os abaixo assinados, devidamente autorizados para o efeito, assinaram este Acordo.
Feito em Lisboa, a 11 de fevereiro de 2015, em duplicado, nas línguas portuguesa e inglesa, ambos os textos fazendo igualmente fé.
Pela República Portuguesa:
Nuno Crato, Ministro da Educação e Ciência.
Pelos Estados Unidos da América:
Robert A. Sherman, Embaixador dos Estados Unidos da América.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONCERNING THE CONTINUATION OF THE COMMISSION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND PORTUGAL.
The Portuguese Republic and the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as "the Parties"),
Consistent with the principles and purposes of the Agreement between the Government of Portugal and the Government of the United States of America for Financing Certain Educational Exchange Programs, signed on March 19, 1960, and amended on December 4, 1963, and September 3, 1982, through exchanges of diplomatic notes;
Desiring to continue programs to promote further mutual understanding between the peoples of the Portuguese Republic and the United States of America through educational and cultural contacts; and
Considering the mutual benefits derived from such programs and the desire of the Parties to cooperate and assist further in the administration of such programs for the further strengthening of international cooperation,
have agreed as follows:
PART I
Status and activities of the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Portugal
Article 1
Legal status of the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Portugal
1.The Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Portugal (hereinafter referred to as "the Portuguese-American Commission for Educational Exchange" or "the Commission") shall be continued.
2.The Commission shall enjoy the most extensive legal capacity accorded to legal persons under Portuguese law for the exercise of its functions and the fulfilment of its purposes as set forth in this Agreement, including the capacity to contract, and to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property.
3.The Parties shall recognize the Commission as an autonomous institution created and established for the implementation of educational and cultural exchange programs based on the provision of assistance and services, such as:
1. a)The provision of financial support to the citizens of the Portuguese Republic and citizens and nationals of the United States of America in the form of scholarships, grants or awards for costs related to travel, tuition, accommodation, or subsistence, and costs related to other forms of exchange activities, subject to prior approval of the Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement as identified in Article 13; and
2. b)The provision of educational, research, cultural, informational, student advising, and other services specified by this Agreement.
4.These educational and cultural programs, and the costs of the Commission's operation related to implementation of such programs, shall be financed from funds provided to the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
5.The Commission may undertake efforts in order to obtain funds or in-kind contributions from other sources for funding educational and cultural programs and implementation of such programs.
Article 2
Office of the Commission
The Portuguese Republic shall provide the Commission with office space in a suitable Lisbon location with public access, and shall cover related rent and utilities expenses.
Article 3
Activities of the Commission
1.The Commission shall be entitled to conduct the following activities:
1. a)On the basis of the interests and needs of both Parties, plan, adopt, and conduct educational and cultural exchange programs as described in Article 1, paragraph 3, above, by:
  1. i)Financing studies, research, instruction and other educational activities:
    (alfa). Of or for citizens and nationals of the United States of America in the Portuguese Republic, and
    (beta). Of or for citizens of the Portuguese Republic in the United States of America;
  2. ii)Financing visits and interchanges between the Parties of students, research scholars, teachers, instructors, professors, artists, and professionals; and
  3. iii)Financing and/or implementing other educational, research, informational, student advising, and other activities.
2. b)Submit to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board of the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as the "Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board") - appointed by the President of the United States of America and with its seat in the United States of America - for approval, students, academic scholars, research scholars, teachers, instructors, artists and professionals who are nominated by the Commission for participation in such programs, as well as proposals by the Commission for participation in such programs of institutions in the Portuguese Republic or in the United States of America.
3. c)Recommend to the relevant organizations in the Portuguese Republic candidates who are citizens and nationals of the United States of America for study, research, instruction, and other educational activities in the Portuguese Republic; and nominate to the relevant organizations in the United States candidates who are citizens of the Portuguese Republic for study, research, instruction, and other educational activities in the United States.
2.The Commission shall be entitled to carry out other activities outside the scope of, but consistent with, this Agreement. Such other activities shall be funded from sources other than those provided on the basis of this Agreement, and in particular, any administrative costs incurred for managing such activities shall be similarly funded by such other sources.
PART II
Bodies of the Commission
Article 4
Structure of the Commission
The Commission shall be composed of a Board of Directors, two Honorary Co-Chairpersons, a Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer, an Executive Director, and staff.
Article 5
The Board of Directors
1.The Commission shall be governed by a ten-member Board. The Board shall consist of five citizens of the United States of America and five citizens of the Portuguese Republic.
2.The Board members shall be appointed for three-year terms and shall be eligible for reappointment for an additional three years.
3.The meetings of the Board may be held in such other places than in the office of the Commission as the Board may from time to time determine.
4.The functions of the Board shall include:
1. a)Drafting for further approval, by the Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement, an annual activities program of the Commission and respective financial contributions;
2. b)Preparing each fiscal year a report of the activities of the Commission, the form and contents of which shall be specified by the Parties, and submit such reports to the Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement;
3. c)Submitting each fiscal year the accounts of the Commission to an external audit, whose results shall be submitted to the Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement. If so requested by one of the Parties, the Board shall also permit other auditing of its accounts by representatives of either or both Parties;
4. d)Authorizing the disbursement of funds and proposing the making of grants, including payment for transportation, accommodation, food, tuition, maintenance and other expenses incident thereto, namely insurances, if the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board approves individual applicants for participation in the Commission's program and of the granting of financial support, subject to the conditions and limitations as set forth herein;
5. e)Launching an open, public competition to select and employ the Executive Director of the Commission and to establish any salaries and benefits to be paid to the Executive Director; and
6. f)Approving any staff to be employed, under proposal by the Executive Director, and further approving any salaries and benefits to be paid to said staff.
5.The Board shall adopt the by-laws and procedural rules of the Commission within six months after the entry into force of the present Agreement, as well as any subsequent amendments thereto.
Article 6
Chairperson of the Board of Directors
A Chairperson shall be elected by the Board from its own membership for a period of service of one year, provided that the Chair shall be assumed alternately by a citizen of the United States of America and a citizen of the Portuguese Republic. The Chairperson shall act on behalf of the Board in all matters.
Article 7
Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer of the Commission
A Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer of the Commission shall be elected by the Board from its own membership, subject to approval or removal by the Board. One of them shall be a citizen of the United States of America and the other a citizen of the Portuguese Republic. The Treasurer, and in his or her absence the Vice-Treasurer, shall perform financial management duties as designated by the Board.
Article 8
Honorary Co-Chairpersons of the Commission
The Chief of the Diplomatic Mission of the United States of America to the Portuguese Republic and a representative of the Portuguese Republic at the ministerial level shall be Honorary Co-Chairpersons of the Commission, entitled to participate in Board meetings as non-voting members. The American Honorary Co-Chairperson shall have the power to appoint and, consistent with Portuguese law, remove, the American members of the Board, two of whom shall be Officers of the United States Foreign Service in the Portuguese Republic. The Portuguese Honorary Co-Chairperson shall have the power to appoint and, consistent with Portuguese law, remove, the Portuguese members of the Board, two of whom shall be governmental representatives of the Portuguese Republic.
Article 9
Executive Director of the Commission
1.The Board shall appoint an Executive Director pursuant to an open competition as indicated by Article 5, paragraph 4, subparagraph e).
2.The Executive Director shall serve the Board, as determined by the Board in its by-laws and procedural rules, for renewable three-year terms, unless the Board decides otherwise.
Article 10
Staff of the Commission
As necessary, the Executive Director may select and employ Commission staff, pursuant to a public process and prior Board approval.
PART III
Obligations of the Parties
Article 11
Financial obligations
1.The Parties shall make annual allocations of funds or contributions in-kind to the Commission for the purposes of this Agreement, with the understanding that a timely determination of the availability of funds, early in the fiscal year in question, is imperative to meet exchange commitments.
2.The amount of annual allocations by the Parties shall reflect the current economic capacity of the Parties.
3.The Parties shall endeavor to maintain a balance in cost-sharing and financial and in-kind support for the bilateral Fulbright Program.
Article 12
Facilitating program implementation
The Parties shall make every effort to facilitate the programs of mutual exchange of persons nominated by the Commission and approved by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, and to resolve problems that may arise in the operations thereof.
PART IV
General and final provisions
Article 13
Bodies of the Parties responsible for implementation of the Agreement
The Bodies of the Parties responsible for the implementation of this Agreement are:
1. a)For the United States of America, the Department of State; and
2. b)For the Portuguese Republic, the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  Article 14
  Operation of laws and regulations of the Parties
  This Agreement and activities arising from it shall be performed in accordance with the laws and regulations of both Parties, including those governing the availability of funds.
  Article 15
  Settlement of disputes
  Any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be settled through negotiation through diplomatic channels.
  Article 16
  Amendment
1.This Agreement may be amended at any time by the exchange of diplomatic notes between the Parties.
2.Amendments agreed upon shall enter into force in accordance with the terms specified in Article 18 of this Agreement.
Article 17
Duration and termination
1.This Agreement shall remain in force for ten years and may be renewed upon mutual written consent of the Parties for successive ten-year periods.
2.This Agreement may be terminated by either Party by providing written notification to the other Party, in which case it will terminate on the thirtieth day of the first calendar year following the date of receipt of the termination notice by the other Party.
3.The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the ongoing programs under this Agreement, except as otherwise expressed by both Parties, in writing and through diplomatic channels.
4.In case of termination, any unliquidated funds and property of the Commission shall be returned to the Parties in proportion to their respective contributions or, as agreed by the Parties in writing and through diplomatic channels, may be used for similar purposes.
Article 18
Entry into force
1.This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the later note in an exchange of notes between the Parties indicating that each Party has completed its internal procedures for entry into force.
2.Upon its entry into force, this Agreement shall supersede the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Portugal for Financing Certain Educational Exchange Programs, signed in Lisbon, on March 19, 1960.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Lisbon, this 11th day of February, 2015, in duplicate, in the Portuguese and English languages, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Portuguese Republic:
Nuno Crato, Minister of Education and Science.
For the United States of America:
Robert A. Sherman, Ambassador of the United States of America.

Decreto n.º 12/2015

Parte I - Estatuto e atividades da Comissão para o Intercâmbio Educacional entre os Estados Unidos da América e Portugal

Parte II - Órgãos da Comissão

Parte III - Obrigações das Partes

Parte IV - Disposições gerais e finais

Decreto n.º 12/2015

Parte I - Estatuto e atividades da Comissão para o Intercâmbio Educacional entre os Estados Unidos da América e Portugal

Parte II - Órgãos da Comissão

Parte III - Obrigações das Partes

Parte IV - Disposições gerais e finais