✨ Should I Apply for CAPES Graduate Scholarship (Master’s and Doctorate)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
Varies by field; estimated 15% to 25% for top-tier programs
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
R$ 2,100 per month for Master's; R$ 3,100 per month for Doctorate
⏱
Duration
Up to 24 months for Master's and up to 48 months for PhD
🗓
Deadline
Varies by specific edital (call for applications); generally rolling or semester-based
🔬
Fields
All academic fields including STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, and Health Sciences
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 90,000 active scholarships across various modalities
🏛️
Provider
Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) - Ministry of Education Brazil
📊
Acceptance
Competitive, especially for programs rated 6 or 7 by CAPES
CAPES is a foundation linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Education that plays a fundamental role in the expansion and consolidation of graduate studies (Master's and PhD) in Brazil, providing stipends to support researchers and improve the quality of higher education.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must hold a degree relevant to their field of study, maintain a strong academic record, and be accepted into a graduate program evaluated with a grade of 3 or higher by CAPES.
🏛️ Host University
Accredited Higher Education Institutions in Brazil and Partner Universities Abroad
🤝 Sponsor
Ministry of Education, Government of Brazil
🔬 Fields of Study
All academic fields including STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, and Health Sciences
✨ Key Benefits
Includes a monthly maintenance stipend, coverage of academic fees, and potential travel, relocation, and health insurance grants for international mobility programs.
🎯 Target Students
High-achieving graduate researchers and aspiring academics
🏷 Tags
Brazil
PhD
Master's
Research
STEM
Fully Funded
Graduate
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes (Public universities in Brazil are free; CAPES covers fees in private institutions via specific programs)
Living Stipend
Yes, provided monthly (Master's: R$ 2,100; PhD: R$ 3,100)
Total Award
R$ 2,100 per month for Maste
✈️ Travel: Provided for international mobility programs (e.g., CAPES-PrInt or Sanduíche)
🏠 Accommodation: Included in the monthly stipend; no separate housing allowance provided
💊 Health Insurance: Provided for international students in Brazil or Brazilian students abroad under specific agreements
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: None for the scholarship itself; university application fees may apply
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (Public universities in Brazil are free; CAPES covers fees in private institutions via specific programs)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, provided monthly (Master's: R$ 2,100; PhD: R$ 3,100)
🏡 Accommodation
Included in the monthly stipend; no separate housing allowance provided
✈️ Travel Allowance
Provided for international mobility programs (e.g., CAPES-PrInt or Sanduíche)
💊 Health Insurance
Provided for international students in Brazil or Brazilian students abroad under specific agreements
🎁 Other Benefits
Installation aid, transport aid, and research material grants for specific modalities
📋 Renewal Conditions
Subject to satisfactory academic progress, meeting research milestones, and supervisor recommendation
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Brazilian citizens or foreign nationals (PEC-PG program), enrolled in a CAPES-recommended graduate program with high scores
🎓 Academic Level
Master's, PhD, and Post-Doctoral
📊 Minimum GPA
Varies by host program (typically equivalent to top 10-20% of class)
🗣️ English Requirement
Varies; proficiency in Portuguese is usually required for domestic programs; TOEFL/IELTS required for international mobility
🎂 Age Limit
No strict age limit, though some specific programs may prioritize early-career researchers
💼 Work Experience
Not required, but research experience and publications are highly valued
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory, but considered for specific leadership-focused international fellowships
💰 Financial Need
Not the primary factor; selection is based on academic and research merit
🎯 Target Students
High-achieving graduate researchers and aspiring academics
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Research Project and Statement of Purpose)
Rec Letters
Yes (typically 2 to 3 letters of recommendation)
Interview
Often required by the host university's selection committee
Application Fee
None for the scholarship itself; university application fees may apply
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (typically 2 to 3 letters of recommendation) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Varies; proficiency in Portuguese is usually required for domestic programs; TOEFL/IELTS required for international mobility
- Interview: Often required by the host university's selection committee
- Min GPA: Varies by host program (typically equivalent to top 10-20% of class)
📋 Application Process
Ensure your 'Curriculum Lattes' is meticulously updated as it is the primary document for evaluation in Brazil.
💡 Insider Tip: Align your research project with the strategic goals of the host program and contact potential supervisors early.