Brazil Government Scholarship 2026 (PEC‑PG)

The Brazil Government Scholarship 2026 under the Postgraduate Student Agreement Program (PEC‑PG) is a fully funded initiative led by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) in partnership with CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) and CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development). The program strengthens international cooperation by welcoming talented students from partner countries to pursue Master’s and PhD degrees at accredited Brazilian universities.

Host country & institution: Brazil; selected Brazilian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Why it’s prestigious: PEC‑PG combines full financial support with access to Brazil’s leading research groups, fostering cutting‑edge inquiry and genuine cultural/academic exchange across 70+ partner countries.

Benefits of the Brazil Government Scholarship 2026

Funding type: Fully funded (tuition‑free study at participating HEIs).
What’s covered:

• Monthly stipend (value set by CAPES/CNPq and confirmed in the award letter).
• Health‑insurance assistance throughout the funded period.
• International travel support (home–Brazil–home passage financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, per program rules).
• University fees covered where applicable by the program.
• Academic integration: Access to laboratories, libraries, research centers, and supervision by experienced Brazilian faculty.

Supported study tracks (modalities):

• Full Master’s Degree in Brazil: up to 24 months.
• Full Doctorate (PhD) in Brazil: up to 48 months.
• Sandwich Doctorate in Brazil: 6–10 months of research hosted at a Brazilian HEI (credit/degree awarded by the home university).

Eligibility Criteria for PEC‑PG (2026 Cycle)

• Eligible nationalities: Applicants must be citizens of partner countries included under PEC‑PG cooperation (approx. 74 countries).
• Degree level: Full Master’s, Full Doctorate, or Sandwich Doctorate.
• Academic background: Strong undergraduate/graduate record aligned with the intended field; competitive applicants typically show upper‑second (or equivalent) standing and clear research potential (for PhD/sandwich).
• University admission: You must apply to participating Brazilian HEIs in fields with available PEC‑PG vacancies and meet each HEI’s academic criteria.
• Language: IELTS/TOEFL not required by the program. Proficiency in Portuguese is advantageous; some HEIs may request Portuguese or allow a plan for language development during study.
• Compliance: Registration implies full acceptance of PEC‑PG rules and timelines; awardees must remain in good standing at their host HEI.

Tip: Requirements can vary by HEI and program. Always review the specific department/graduate school criteria for GPA equivalents, research fit, and supervisor availability.

Required Documents for the PEC‑PG Application

Prepare clear, legible PDF files (official or notarized where specified). The exact list may vary by HEI/notice, but typically includes:

Mandatory

1. Valid passport bio page (and national ID where applicable).
2. Academic transcripts and degree certificates (Bachelor’s/Master’s as relevant).
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)—concise, research‑focused for postgraduate applicants.
4. Research proposal/statement of purpose (for Master’s/PhD), outlining objectives, methodology, timeline, and intended supervisor/HEI fit.
5. Letters of recommendation (usually 2–3) on institutional letterhead.
6. Proof of eligibility as a citizen of a PEC‑PG partner country.
7. Endorsements/acceptance as required by the HEI (e.g., preliminary supervisor interest or departmental pre‑admission, if applicable).

Optional / Program‑ or HEI‑specific

• Language evidence (Portuguese or other) if requested by the HEI.
• Publications/portfolio (for research/creative fields).
• Professional experience letters (if relevant to the field).

Formatting & submission tips

• Combine multi‑page documents into single PDFs; use clear filenames (e.g., Surname_Transcript_Master.pdf).
• Provide official translations (Portuguese or English) where the HEI requires them; retain originals.
• Ensure scans are readable, signed, and stamped where needed; avoid camera photos.

Application Timeline for the 2026 Intake

For Full Master’s and Full Doctorate

• Vacancy publication by CAPES: up to August 13, 2025.
• Candidate registrations (per available vacancies): August 14 – September 29, 2025 (until 17:00 Brasília time).
• Selection by Brazilian HEIs (1st round): Sept 30 – Oct 7, 2025.
• Selection (2nd round): Oct 8 – Oct 15, 2025.
• Selection (remaining vacancies): Oct 16 – Oct 23, 2025.
• HEI Pro‑Rector approvals: Oct 23 – Oct 30, 2025.
• CAPES document analysis: up to Nov 13, 2025.
• Final results: by Nov 14, 2025.
• Start of studies in Brazil: First half of 2026.

For Sandwich Doctorate

• Vacancy publication by CAPES: up to Sept 30, 2025.
• Candidate registrations: Oct 1 – Dec 30, 2025 (until 17:00 Brasília time).
• Selection by HEIs (1st round): Jan 5 – Feb 27, 2026.
• Selection (2nd round): Mar 4 – Mar 16, 2026.
• Selection (remaining vacancies): Mar 20 – Mar 27, 2026.
• HEI Pro‑Rector approvals: Mar 30 – Apr 3, 2026.
• CAPES document analysis: up to Apr 24, 2026.
• Final results: up to Apr 30, 2026.
• Start of studies in Brazil: August 2026.

Deadlines are fixed, not rolling. Submit well before the last day to avoid portal congestion and time‑zone surprises.

How to Apply for the Brazil Government Scholarship (Step‑by‑Step)

1. Check eligibility & vacancies: Confirm your country’s eligibility under PEC‑PG and identify available HEI/program vacancies for your field.
2. Choose your modality: Full Master’s, Full Doctorate, or Sandwich Doctorate.
3. Prepare documents: Collect certified transcripts, degree certificates, CV, recommendations, and a targeted research proposal. Translate where requested.
4. Create/Access your account on the program’s online application page (as instructed in the current Notice).
5. Complete the registration form for the selected vacancy(ies) and upload PDFs exactly as specified.
6. Submit & track: After submission, you should receive email confirmation; monitor your inbox/portal for requests (e.g., missing pages, clarification).
7. Selection rounds: If not selected in the first round at an HEI, your file may be considered in later rounds within the same window.
8. Finalization: If offered, follow the HEI/CAPES instructions for acceptance, visa arrangements, and arrival planning.

Smart tips

• Target programs where your research fits existing labs/groups; mention potential supervisors.
• Keep your proposal concise and feasible within 24/48 months.
• Back up every upload and maintain a document checklist.
• Submit early (Brasília time) and double‑check scans for legibility and official stamps/signatures.

FAQs about the Brazil Government Scholarship (PEC‑PG)

Is IELTS/TOEFL required?
No. The program itself does not require IELTS/TOEFL. Some HEIs may ask for Portuguese ability or a language plan.

Who can apply—can students from Africa/Asia/Europe apply?
Yes. Applicants from PEC‑PG partner countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas may apply (approx. 74 countries).

When will results be announced?
For Master’s/PhD, final results are expected by November 14, 2025. For Sandwich Doctorate, by April 30, 2026.

Can I apply to multiple programs/universities?
You may indicate preferences based on available vacancies. Selection occurs in multiple rounds; always follow the current Notice.

What is covered?
Monthly stipend, health‑insurance assistance, and international travel per program rules, plus tuition/fees coverage where applicable.

Final Thoughts

The Brazil Government Scholarship (PEC‑PG) offers a generous funding package, a clearly structured timeline, and access to research‑active departments across Brazil. If you have a strong academic record and a focused proposal, this is an excellent pathway to a fully funded Master’s or PhD in Latin America’s largest research ecosystem.

Apply before the deadline closes and take the next step toward studying in Brazil.

Note: Do not include official links in the article. Always reconfirm the latest Notice for vacancy lists, document specifications, and stipend values before applying.