Brazil has become a dynamic destination for advanced research and postgraduate study, welcoming international students through a range of government-backed scholarships. Among the most important initiatives is the Postgraduate Student Agreement Program (PEC-PG), coordinated by CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) in partnership with Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The PEC-PG 2025 scholarship offers a fully funded opportunity for talented students from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe to pursue Full Master’s, Full Doctorate, or Sandwich Doctorate studies at Brazilian universities. With more than 650 awards available, it remains one of the most extensive fellowship programs in South America.

This guide provides detailed insights into the program’s benefits, eligibility, application process, and timelines to help applicants prepare a strong and competitive application.

Fellowship Overview

Key Features of PEC-PG 2025

• Program Type: Fully funded postgraduate scholarships (Master’s, Doctorate, Sandwich Doctorate)
• Host Country: Brazil
• Funding Body: CAPES with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE)
• Number of Scholarships: Up to 650
  • 200 for Full Master’s
  • 100 for Full Doctorate
  • 350 for Sandwich Doctorate
• Duration:
  • Master’s: up to 24 months
  • Doctorate: up to 48 months
  • Sandwich Doctorate: 6–10 months
• Application Deadlines:
  • Master’s & Full Doctorate: 29 September 2025
  • Sandwich Doctorate: 30 December 2025
• Application Fee: None

Financial Benefits

One of the strongest aspects of the PEC-PG scholarship is its comprehensive financial support, designed to reduce the burden of living and study expenses.

Stipends by Study Level

• Full Master’s: R$ 2,100 per month (for up to 24 months)

• Full Doctorate: R$ 3,100 per month (for up to 48 months)
• Sandwich Doctorate: R$ 3,100 per month (for 6–10 months)

Additional Support

• Health Insurance: An extra R$ 400 per month for all awardees

• Return Travel Costs: Covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (subject to budget)

Important Notes

• Travel to Brazil is not covered.

• Family support, installation expenses, and university fees are excluded.
• Funding does not cover costs outside the official stipend and health support.

With total funding exceeding R$ 41 million, PEC-PG 2025 is one of Brazil’s most significant international fellowship investments.

Eligible Fields of Study

PEC-PG scholarships are offered in a broad range of disciplines through accredited Brazilian universities. While the official list is published by CAPES in Portuguese, it includes:

• Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
• Engineering and Technology
• Health and Medicine
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Natural and Applied Sciences
• Law, Business, and Governance
• Arts, Culture, and Education

Applicants should review the CAPES portal for the updated list of approved Master’s and PhD programs, as universities determine the number of available positions.

Eligibility Criteria

The program targets international students with strong academic profiles who wish to advance their research in Brazil.

General Requirements

• Must be a citizen of one of the participating countries (listed below).

• Cannot hold Brazilian nationality or permanent residency.
• Must reside outside Brazil at the time of application.
• Must have completed an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) relevant to the chosen field.
• Must not already be enrolled in a similar-level program in Brazil.
• Must have a valid Lattes CV and ORCID profile.

Restrictions

• Candidates who previously received Brazilian postgraduate scholarships (e.g., Movilidad Acadêmica, prior CAPES programs) are ineligible.

• Applicants for the Full Master’s must not already hold a master’s or doctoral degree.
• Candidates applying for the Full Doctorate must not already hold a PhD.

Additional Conditions by Program

• Sandwich Doctorate: Must be a registered doctoral student abroad with at least one year of completed study.

• Full Master’s: Must have a strong academic background equivalent to a Brazilian undergraduate degree.

Eligible Countries

The PEC-PG program covers applicants from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe.

Africa (29 countries)

South Africa, Angola, Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia.

Latin America & Caribbean (28 countries)

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Asia (10 countries)

Bangladesh, China, South Korea, India, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste.

Europe (7 countries)

Armenia, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Turkey.

Application Timeline

• 14 August 2025: Application system opens.

• 29 September 2025: Deadline for Full Master’s and Full Doctorate applications.
• 1 October – 30 December 2025: Sandwich Doctorate application window.
• Early 2026: Selection rounds and results published by CAPES.

Application Process

The PEC-PG application process involves several steps coordinated between universities and CAPES.

Step 1: Universities Publish Vacancies

Participating universities announce available Master’s and PhD positions and forward them to CAPES.

Step 2: CAPES Publishes Official List

The official list of programs open for application appears on the CAPES website.

Step 3: Candidate Application

• Submit applications online via the CAPES portal: https://inscricao.capes.gov.br.

• Use a CPF (Brazilian Tax ID) or an ORCID ID for login.
• Provide:
  • Completed application form
  • Lattes CV
  • ORCID profile
  • Academic transcripts
  • Research proposal

Step 4: University Selection

Universities review applications in up to three rounds and recommend candidates.

Step 5: Approval and Verification

• The university’s Pro-Rector approves the selection.

• CAPES verifies all documents.
• Candidates may file appeals if necessary.

Step 6: Final Results

CAPES publishes the list of selected candidates after appeals are reviewed.

Why Choose PEC-PG in Brazil?

Academic Excellence

Brazil is home to prestigious public universities, many of which are leaders in Latin America for research and innovation.

Cultural Diversity

Students benefit from the opportunity to immerse themselves in Brazilian society while contributing to international academic collaboration.

Financial Security

With full stipends and health support, PEC-PG allows students to focus entirely on their research.

Global Collaboration

Graduates of PEC-PG often contribute to stronger educational and research ties between Brazil and their home countries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is PEC-PG?

A fully funded postgraduate scholarship offered by CAPES for international Master’s, Doctorate, and Sandwich Doctorate students.

2. Who can apply?

Applicants must be citizens of participating countries, reside outside Brazil, and meet academic requirements.

3. What costs are covered?

Monthly stipends, health insurance, and return travel (but not travel to Brazil or family support).

4. How many scholarships are awarded?

Up to 650 in 2025: 200 Master’s, 100 Doctorate, 350 Sandwich Doctorate.

5. When is the deadline?

29 September 2025 for Master’s/Doctorate; 30 December 2025 for Sandwich Doctorate.

6. Which fields are eligible?

All major disciplines offered by Brazilian universities listed on the CAPES portal.

For more information and official updates, applicants should regularly check the CAPES portal.

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