Individual applications are not yet open: following the final institutional decision, scheduled for December 2026, each selected institution will announce its opportunities, requirements, deadlines, and application procedures.
The PEC-PG is an international cooperation initiative managed by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).
Currently, the selection process for Brazilian institutions to participate in the program. Higher education institutions and scientific, technological, and innovation institutions may submit their proposals by August 13, 2026. This deadline does not apply to applications from foreign candidates.
Up to 100 scholarships per grade level
The CNPq/CAPES/MRE Public Call for Applications No. 16/2026 provides for up to 100 master’s degree scholarships , lasting 24 months, and up to 100 academic doctoral scholarships , lasting 48 months. Scholarships will not be awarded for professional master’s or doctoral programs.
The current CNPq fee schedule sets the following monthly amounts:
- R$ 2,100 for a master's degree.
- R$ 3,100 for a Ph.D..
The actual awarding of the scholarships will be subject to the approval of institutional proposals and to the budgetary and financial resources available to the CNPq.
The call for applications also provides for assistance with returning to the country of origin. Whether this assistance is granted depends on the program’s conditions and the budgetary and financial resources available to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
View the call for applications
Who Can Apply
The program is aimed at foreign nationals from participating countries, including Uruguay. To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must meet both the general requirements of the PEC-PG and the specific requirements of the chosen graduate program.
The main requirements include:
- be a foreign national and a citizen of a participating country;
- reside outside Brazil, in a participating country;
- not hold Brazilian citizenship, dual Brazilian citizenship, or be eligible for Brazilian citizenship at the time of registration;
- not having a permanent residence permit in Brazil;
- have completed a program of study considered equivalent to a bachelor's degree;
- not be enrolled in Brazil in a program at the same level as the one to which you wish to apply;
- not hold a doctoral degree;
- be able to begin academic activities within the timeframe established by the program;
- have an up-to-date resume on the Lattes Platform;
- meet the academic, language, and documentation requirements of the selected institution.
The call for applications also establishes restrictions and waiting periods for those who have received certain Brazilian federal scholarships. It also requires that applicants have no outstanding obligations to the CNPq and not be listed in federal debtor registries. Each interested party must review the complete guidelines to assess their specific situation.
Those who are still pursuing a degree can learn about the opportunity and prepare their application materials, but eligibility requires completion of a university program equivalent to a Brazilian bachelor’s degree.
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When and how will the applications be submitted?
The candidate selection of candidates will be decentralized: each selected Brazilian institution will organize and publicize its own opportunities and procedures.
The planned route is as follows:
- Await the final institutional decision, scheduled for December 2026.
- View the list of selected higher education institutions and scientific, technological, and innovation institutions.
- Visit the official websites or channels of the institutions you are interested in to find out about the programmes , requirements, available spots, and deadlines they publish.
- Check the academic, language, and documentation requirements for each program.
- Apply directly through the procedure established by the relevant institution.
Applying to the PEC-PG is free. Furthermore, there is no single start or end date, nor is there a general application form for all candidates, as each institution will announce its own schedule.
The preliminary results of the institutional selection process are scheduled for November 2026 and the final results are expected in December. The general schedule sets aside the period from March 2027 to March 2028 for the selection of scholarship recipients and the implementation of the scholarships. This does not mean that all institutions will open their application periods or that all selected students will begin their studies on the same date.
Documentation and Specific Requirements
Each institution will determine the documents required for its initial admissions process. Therefore, there is not yet a single list of required documents that applies to all applications.
At a later stage, when the institutions formally submit the selected candidates to the CNPq, the call for applications requires the following documents and information:
- the personal information page of the passport;
- proof of status for the Brazilian CPF;
- proof of residence abroad;
- a valid ORCID identifier;
- a research project in Portuguese, Spanish, or English;
- a complete, up-to-date Lattes CV written in Portuguese;
- a statement from the program confirming regular enrollment;
- a work certificate, if applicable.
At this stage, original documents in Portuguese, Spanish, or English will be accepted, as well as simple translations into one of those languages when the originals are written in another language.
Selected candidates will not be required to have their foreign degree revalidated or formally recognized within the PEC-PG program. This does not eliminate the obligation to provide proof of prior education or to meet the academic requirements of the host institution.
Language proficiency must be demonstrated in accordance with the procedure established by each graduate program. There is no single certificate or level of Portuguese proficiency required for all opportunities.
More information about the required documentation
What expenses should each candidate expect?
The call for applications does not cover the initial travel expenses to Brazil. The selected candidate must purchase their own ticket and cover their living expenses in the country until they receive the first monthly installment of the scholarship.
The following are also not funded:
- travel-related costs, such as connections, baggage, fees, fines, refunds, or transfers;
- no lodging or assistance with installation;
- expenses for spouses, family members, or dependents.
The return assistance provided by the program does not cover the initial trip or the expenses required to settle in Brazil.
Early announcement allows graduates and interested students to learn about the program and begin preparing a potential application. Starting in December 2026, applicants will need to visit the official application website and the channels of the selected institutions to learn about the opportunities, requirements, and specific deadlines.
Questions regarding the call for applications may be directed to conae@cnpq.br.