by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (MICITT) / CONICIT · Top-ranked global universities or recognized national institutions
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded🔴 Active (Pending periodic call releases)🎓 Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral🌍 Costa Rica📌 Government-funded
Up to $50,000 per year (Varies by academic level and destination)
Duration
Up to 24 months for Masters; up to 48 months for PhD
Deadline
Varies (Calls are typically released in March-May or August-October)
Level
Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral
Acceptance
Check official website (Estimated 15-25% of qualified applicants)
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacin, Tecnologa y Telecomunicaciones (MICITT) / CONICIT offers Becas de Posgrado MICITT-CONICIT (PINN), a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to Costa Rica. The award covers A comprehensive package including tuition fees, monthly maintenance, airfare, and health insurance for high-impact STEM research. and is open to masters, phd, and postdoctoral students studying stem (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), innovation, biotechnology, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity. The scholarship runs for up to 24 months for masters; up to 48 months for phd and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on open to Costa Rican professionals with an excellent academic record seeking to specialize in priority areas defined by the National Science and Technology Plan. The application deadline is Varies (Calls are typically released in March-May or August-October), with an acceptance rate of approximately Check official website (Estimated 15-25% of qualified applicants). Students can compare this opportunity against similar scholarships below to find the best fit for their profile.
✨ Should I Apply for Becas de Posgrado MICITT-CONICIT (PINN)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
18%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Moderate
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Up to $50,000 per year (Varies by academic level and destination)
⏳
Duration
Up to 24 months for Masters; up to 48 months for PhD
📅
Deadline
Varies (Calls are typically released in March-May or August-October)
Varies (Approximately 20-50 per cycle depending on funding)
🌏
Study Country
Costa Rica
🏛️
Provider
Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (MICITT) / CONICIT
📊
Acceptance
Check official website (Estimated 15-25% of qualified applicants)
The MICITT-CONICIT scholarship program, often funded through the PINN (Programa de Innovación y Capital Humano para la Competitividad), is the flagship initiative of the Costa Rican government to train high-level human resources in strategic scientific and technological areas. It aims to bridge the knowledge gap and foster innovation by sending talented Costa Ricans to the world's leading research institutions.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to Costa Rican professionals with an excellent academic record seeking to specialize in priority areas defined by the National Science and Technology Plan.
🏛️ Host University
Top-ranked global universities or recognized national institutions
A comprehensive package including tuition fees, monthly maintenance, airfare, and health insurance for high-impact STEM research.
🎯 Target Students
Costa Rican researchers, scientists, and high-level professionals
🏷 Tags
Costa RicaSTEMPhD ScholarshipMasters ScholarshipInnovationScience Funding
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Varies by funding cycle
Applicants Last Year
Varies (Official figures published in annual MICITT reports)
Winners
Check official website (Estimated 15-25% of qualified applicants)
Acceptance Rate
Moderate
Competition Level
Win Probability
18%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes, full or partial depending on the specific call and budget
Living Stipend
Yes, monthly allowance adjusted for the cost of living in the host country
Total Award
Up to $50,000 per year (Varies by academic level and destination)
✈️ Travel: Yes, covers round-trip economy airfare for the student🏠 Accommodation: Included within the monthly living stipend💊 Health Insurance: Yes, international health insurance is provided for the duration of the program🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes, full or partial depending on the specific call and budget
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, monthly allowance adjusted for the cost of living in the host country
🏡 Accommodation
Included within the monthly living stipend
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, covers round-trip economy airfare for the student
💊 Health Insurance
Yes, international health insurance is provided for the duration of the program
🎁 Other Benefits
Thesis expenses, book allowance, and administrative costs
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Contingent upon maintaining a minimum GPA and submitting satisfactory semi-annual progress reports
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Costa Rican citizenship or permanent residency; admission to a high-ranking university; degree in a related STEM field
🎓 Academic Level
Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral
📊 Minimum GPA
8.0 out of 10.0 (80% or equivalent)
🗣️ English Requirement
Yes (TOEFL or IELTS scores required for programs taught in English)
🍢 Age Limit
No formal age limit, though priority is often given to young researchers
💼 Work Experience
Not mandatory but highly valued, especially in research or industrial innovation
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory, but academic leadership and research impact are considered
💰 Financial Need
Considered as a secondary factor; primary focus is on merit and national impact
🎯 Target Students
Costa Rican researchers, scientists, and high-level professionals
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Detailed study plan and impact statement on how the degree will benefit Costa Rica)
Rec Letters
Yes (Typically 2 to 3 academic or professional references)
Interview
Yes, for shortlisted candidates as part of the technical evaluation
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Typically 2 to 3 academic or professional references) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Yes (TOEFL or IELTS scores required for programs taught in English)
Interview: Yes, for shortlisted candidates as part of the technical evaluation
Min GPA: 8.0 out of 10.0 (80% or equivalent)
📋 Application Process
Align your research project directly with the National Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation of Costa Rica.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure the host university is ranked within the top 100 globally for your specific field of study to increase success chances.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Varies by annual budget cycle
⏰ Deadline
Varies (Calls are typically released in March-May or August-October)
🎤 Interview
Yes, for shortlisted candidates as part of the technical evaluation
🎓 Study Starts
Varies (Typically aligns with academic semesters in August/September or March)
Varies by annual budget cycle
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Varies (Calls are typically released in March-May or August-October)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes, for shortlisted candidates as part of the technical evaluation
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Varies (Typically aligns with academic semesters in August/September or March)
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, ranking of the host university, relevance of the field to national priorities, and feasibility of the research proposal.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Becas de Posgrado MICITT-CONICIT (PINN)Current
Costa Rica
Full Funding
Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral
—
🇻🇳 VNU International Student Scholarship (Vietnam National University, Hanoi)
Open to Costa Rican professionals with an excellent academic record seeking to specialize in priority areas defined by the National Science and Technology Plan.
This scholarship covers: A comprehensive package including tuition fees, monthly maintenance, airfare, and health insurance for high-impact STEM research.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Varies (Calls are typically released in March-May or August-October). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Moderate. Acceptance rate: Check official website (Estimated 15-25% of qualified applicants). Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Yes (TOEFL or IELTS scores required for programs taught in English), Yes (Typically 2 to 3 academic or professional references) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.