CAPES Graduate Scholarship (Master’s and Doctorate)
by CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) - Brazilian Ministry of Education · CAPES-recommended graduate programs at accredited Brazilian higher education institutions
Domestic track: R$ 2,100 per month for Master's, R$ 3,100 per month for Doctorate, R$ 5,200 per month for Post-Doctorate (set by CAPES Portaria No. 33/2023); PEC-PG track for foreign nationals: R$ 1,500 per month for Master's, R$ 2,200 per month for Doctorate
Duration
Up to 24 months for Master's; up to 48 months for Doctorate
Deadline
Set individually by each edital (call for applications) issued by CAPES or the host graduate program, rather than one national date
Level
Master's and Doctorate
Acceptance
—
Difficulty
—
Quick Summary
Aimed at graduate students enrolled in capes-recommended master's or doctoral programs in brazil, including foreign nationals from partner countries under the pec-pg programme, CAPES Graduate Scholarship (Master’s and Doctorate) is a fully funded scholarship for study in Brazil. The award covers Domestic track: R$ 2,100 per month for Master's, R$ 3,100 per month for Doctorate, R$ 5,200 per month for Post-Doctorate (set by CAPES Portaria No. 33/2023); PEC-PG track for foreign nationals: R$ 1,500 per month for Master's, R$ 2,200 per month for Doctorate and is open to master's and doctorate students studying all academic fields offered through capes-recommended graduate programs. The scholarship runs for up to 24 months for master's; up to 48 months for doctorate and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on domestic and resident candidates apply for CAPES stipends through their graduate program's internal selection process. PEC-PG applicants must hold an undergraduate degree (for Master's) or Master's degree (for Doctorate), typically need a CELPE-Bras Portuguese proficiency certificate, and must register a CV on the CNPq Lattes platform. The application deadline is Set individually by each edital (call for applications) issued by CAPES or the host graduate program, rather than one national date. EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.
✨ Should I Apply for CAPES Graduate Scholarship (Master’s and Doctorate)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
6/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
20-35 hrs
Time Required
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Domestic track: R$ 2,100 per month for Master's, R$ 3,100 per month for Doctorate, R$ 5,200 per month for Post-Doctorate (set by CAPES Portaria No. 33/2023); PEC-PG track for foreign nationals: R$ 1,500 per month for Master's, R$ 2,200 per month for Doctorate
⏳
Duration
Up to 24 months for Master's; up to 48 months for Doctorate
📅
Deadline
Set individually by each edital (call for applications) issued by CAPES or the host graduate program, rather than one national date
🌎
Fields
All academic fields offered through CAPES-recommended graduate programs
🏆
Awards/Year
—
🌏
Study Country
Brazil
🏛️
Provider
CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) - Brazilian Ministry of Education
📊
Acceptance
—
CAPES is the foundation of the Brazilian Ministry of Education responsible for funding and evaluating graduate education in Brazil, and it pays monthly stipends directly to master's and doctoral students enrolled in CAPES-recommended programs. A separate track, PEC-PG, extends similar monthly stipends and a return airfare to foreign nationals from partner countries admitted to Brazilian graduate programs.
👥 Who Should Apply
Domestic and resident candidates apply for CAPES stipends through their graduate program's internal selection process. PEC-PG applicants must hold an undergraduate degree (for Master's) or Master's degree (for Doctorate), typically need a CELPE-Bras Portuguese proficiency certificate, and must register a CV on the CNPq Lattes platform.
🏛️ Host University
CAPES-recommended graduate programs at accredited Brazilian higher education institutions
🤝 Sponsor
Ministry of Education, Government of Brazil
🌎 Fields of Study
All academic fields offered through CAPES-recommended graduate programs
✨ Key Benefits
Scholars receive a monthly maintenance stipend for the duration of their program, with no tuition costs at CAPES-recommended institutions; foreign PEC-PG scholars additionally receive a return air ticket to their home country. Because both the stipend value and coverage are set per edital rather than as one fixed national rate, the exact figures a scholar receives depend on which specific call for applications they were selected under.
🎯 Target Students
Graduate students enrolled in CAPES-recommended master's or doctoral programs in Brazil, including foreign nationals from partner countries under the PEC-PG programme
Yes (tuition-free at public Brazilian universities; no enrollment costs for CAPES/PEC-PG scholars)
Living Stipend
Yes, paid monthly at the rates listed above
Total Award
Domestic track: R$ 2,100 per month for Master's, R$ 3,100 per month for Doctorate, R$ 5,200 per month for Post-Doctorate (set by CAPES Portaria No. 33/2023); PEC-PG track for foreign nationals: R$ 1,500 per month for Master's, R$ 2,200 per month for Doctorate
✈️ Travel: Yes, for PEC-PG foreign scholars (return air ticket to their home country) and for specific international mobility programs such as CAPES-PrInt🏠 Accommodation: No separate accommodation allowance; included within the monthly stipend💊 Health Insurance: No🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (tuition-free at public Brazilian universities; no enrollment costs for CAPES/PEC-PG scholars)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, paid monthly at the rates listed above
🏡 Accommodation
No separate accommodation allowance; included within the monthly stipend
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, for PEC-PG foreign scholars (return air ticket to their home country) and for specific international mobility programs such as CAPES-PrInt
💊 Health Insurance
No
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Continuation of the monthly stipend requires satisfactory academic progress as evaluated by the graduate program.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Enrollment in a CAPES-recommended master's or doctoral program in Brazil; PEC-PG applicants must be nationals of one of the eligible partner countries with a formal acceptance from a Brazilian institution before applying.
🎓 Academic Level
Master's and Doctorate
💼 Work Experience
Not required, though prior research experience is valued in program selection
🏆 Leadership
Preferred
💰 Financial Need
No
🎯 Target Students
Graduate students enrolled in CAPES-recommended master's or doctoral programs in Brazil, including foreign nationals from partner countries under the PEC-PG programme
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes
Rec Letters
2 letters
Interview
Often required as part of the host graduate…
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Interview
📋 Application Process
Register and keep an up-to-date Lattes curriculum on the CNPq platform, since it is the standard academic CV reviewed during CAPES and PEC-PG selection. Keep the Lattes CV updated continuously rather than only before a deadline, since reviewers check it against your most current publications and academic activity.
💡 Insider Tip: Foreign applicants under PEC-PG must first secure formal acceptance from a Brazilian graduate program before applying for the scholarship, and should confirm current CELPE-Bras Portuguese proficiency requirements with their host program. Start the Portuguese-proficiency and admission-letter process well ahead of any target edital deadline, since PEC-PG applicants cannot submit without both already in hand.
🗾️ 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
Set individually by each edital, rather than one national date
⏰ Deadline
Set individually by each edital (call for applications) issued by CAPES or the host graduate program, rather than one national date
🎤 Interview
Often required as part of the host graduate program's own selection process
🎓 Study Starts
Typically March (1st semester) or August (2nd semester)
Set individually by each edital, rather than one national date
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Set individually by each edital (call for applications) issued by CAPES or the host graduate program, rather than one national date
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Often required as part of the host graduate program's own selection process
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Typically March (1st semester) or August (2nd semester)
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic record, research project, host program's internal evaluation
⚡ Similar Scholarships
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Coverage
Level
CAPES Graduate Scholarship (Master’s and Doctorate)Current
Brazil
Full Funding
Master's and Doctorate
—
🇧🇷 CNPq Senior Internship Abroad (Bolsa de Estágio Sênior no Exterior - ESN)
Domestic and resident candidates apply for CAPES stipends through their graduate program's internal selection process. PEC-PG applicants must hold an undergraduate degree (for Master's) or Master's degree (for Doctorate), typically need a CELPE-Bras Portuguese proficiency certificate, and must register a CV on the CNPq Lattes platform.
Scholars receive a monthly maintenance stipend for the duration of their program, with no tuition costs at CAPES-recommended institutions; foreign PEC-PG scholars additionally receive a return air ticket to their home country. Because both the stipend value and coverage are set per edital rather than as one fixed national rate, the exact figures a scholar receives depend on which specific call for applications they were selected under. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Set individually by each edital (call for applications) issued by CAPES or the host graduate program, rather than one national date. Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Check website, 2 letters recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.