✨ Should I Apply for Becas CONAHCYT para Extranjeros (National Scholarships for Foreigners)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
High for students already admitted to qualified SNP programs
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Master's: 4.5 UMAs monthly (approx. $14,500 MXN); PhD: 6 UMAs monthly (approx. $19,400 MXN)
⏱
Duration
Up to 24 months for Master's, up to 48 months for PhD, and 12 months for Specialties
🗓
Deadline
Varies by call; usually April-May for Fall intake and September-October for Spring intake
🔬
Fields
All fields including Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Health (must be an SNP-accredited program)
🏆
Awards/Year
Varies annually based on federal budget (thousands of scholarships granted)
🏛️
Provider
Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT)
📊
Acceptance
Varies; approximately 70% of qualified applicants who meet all administrative requirements receive funding
The CONAHCYT National Scholarship for Foreigners is Mexico's flagship financial aid program for international students. It aims to strengthen the scientific and technological capabilities of Mexico by attracting global talent to pursue high-level research and professional degrees in Mexican institutions. The scholarship provides a monthly allowance that allows students to focus entirely on their studies without the need for employment.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to non-Mexican citizens with an undergraduate or master's degree, a minimum GPA of 8.0, and formal admission to an SNP-accredited Mexican program.
🏛️ Host University
Any Mexican Higher Education Institution (IES) or Research Center with programs registered in the Sistema Nacional de Posgrados (SNP)
🤝 Sponsor
Government of Mexico - Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías
🔬 Fields of Study
All fields including Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Health (must be an SNP-accredited program)
✨ Key Benefits
Monthly living stipend according to degree level, medical insurance coverage via ISSSTE, and institutional tuition waivers in most SNP-registered programs.
🎯 Target Students
International Students
🏷 Tags
Mexico
International Students
Postgraduate
Master's
PhD
Research
Stipend
Latin America
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Usually waived by the host university as a requirement for SNP participation
Living Stipend
Monthly maintenance allowance based on the current UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización) value
Total Award
Master's: 4.5 UMAs monthly (
✈️ Travel: No
🏠 Accommodation: No (Stipend is intended to cover housing and food)
💊 Health Insurance: Provided through ISSSTE (Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers)
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: 0 (Application to CONAHCYT is free)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Usually waived by the host university as a requirement for SNP participation
🏠 Living Stipend
Monthly maintenance allowance based on the current UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización) value
🏡 Accommodation
No (Stipend is intended to cover housing and food)
💊 Health Insurance
Provided through ISSSTE (Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers)
🎁 Other Benefits
Access to research facilities, academic networking, and potential thesis support
📋 Renewal Conditions
Must maintain a minimum GPA of 8.0/10.0 and receive a positive annual evaluation from the academic tutor
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Foreign nationals accepted into a face-to-face postgraduate program registered in the SNP in Mexico
🎓 Academic Level
Master's, PhD, and Specialties
📊 Minimum GPA
8.0 on a 10.0 scale (or equivalent)
🗣️ English Requirement
Varies by host university; CONAHCYT does not set a universal English score for the scholarship itself
🎂 Age Limit
Not officially restricted, but academic career stage is considered
💼 Work Experience
Not required, though academic research experience is highly valued
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary requirement; selection is based on academic merit and program quality
🎯 Target Students
International Students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Required by the host university during the admission process (Statement of Purpose)
Rec Letters
Required by the host university for admission into the SNP program
Interview
Often required by the host university's admissions committee
Application Fee
0 (Application to CONAHCYT is free)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Required by the host university for admission into the SNP program Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Varies by host university; CONAHCYT does not set a universal English score for the scholarship itself
- Interview: Often required by the host university's admissions committee
- Min GPA: 8.0 on a 10.0 scale (or equivalent)
📋 Application Process
First, secure admission to a Mexican university program that is currently active in the Sistema Nacional de Posgrados (SNP).
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure all foreign transcripts and degrees are apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by a certified translator before applying.