Brazil Government Scholarship 2026: Fully Funded Master’s & PhD in Brazil

The Programa de Estudantes‑Convênio de Pós‑Graduação (PEC‑PG) is a prestigious Brazilian government initiative jointly managed by CAPES, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and CNPq. This international cooperation initiative attracts foreign students to Brazilian institutions—fostering academic exchange and capacity-building while enriching Brazil’s graduate research environment.

Scholarship Types & Benefits

The PEC‑PG program offers three key funding modalities:

• Full Master’s Degree: Up to 24 months
• Full PhD Degree: Up to 48 months
• Sandwich PhD: Short-term doctoral studies in Brazil (6–10 months)

Each scholarship includes:

• Monthly stipend:
  • Master’s: R$2,100
  • PhD (full or sandwich): R$3,100
• Monthly health insurance allowance: R$400
• Round-trip airfare covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Access to Brazil’s public health system (SUS), on par with Brazilian nationals

Total funding across all tracks is approximately R$41 million, supporting up to 650 scholars in 2026.

Important Dates & Timeline

Master’s & Full PhD

• Vaga release: by August 13, 2025
• Applications: August 14 – September 29, 2025
• Institutional selection: October 23 – 30, 2025 (1st round)
• Document review (CAPES): preliminary results by November 13, final by November 14
• Program starts: First semester 2026

Sandwich PhD

• Vaga release: by September 30, 2025
• Applications: October 1 – December 30, 2025
• Institutional selection: Jan 5 – Feb 27, 2026 (1st round)
• Document review (CAPES): preliminary results by April 24, final by April 30, 2026
• Program starts: August 2026

Who Is Eligible?

• Citizens of developing countries with educational cooperation agreements with Brazil
• Must not have Brazilian nationality or permanent residency
• Proficiency in Portuguese is required; candidates take a free Portuguese & Brazilian culture course in their first year to prepare for the CELPE-Bras exam

How to Apply

1. Consult the PEC‑PG Edital nº 12/2025 for eligibility, required documentation, and specific details.
2. Apply online via the CAPES portal.
3. Track progress through selection rounds and institutional nominations.
4. If awarded, finalize your academic plans and prepare for relocation and studies in Brazil.
5. For questions, you can contact CAPES directly: [email protected].

The PEC-PG Scholarship is a rare opportunity to fully fund your graduate education in Brazil—with tuition coverage, monthly support, health insurance, and travel costs included. If you’re ready to study a master’s or PhD in a vibrant cultural setting while contributing to global academic exchange, this is a chance worth seizing.