✨ Should I Apply for Don Carlos Antonio López National Postgraduate Scholarship Program (BECAL)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
Approximately 15% to 25% depending on the specific call and category
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Up to $50,000 for Master's and up to $90,000 for PhD programs
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Duration
Up to 24 months for Master's and up to 48 months for PhD
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Deadline
Varies by call (typically biannual deadlines in May and November)
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Fields
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Education, and Strategic Innovation
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Awards/Year
Varies per call (typically hundreds of scholarships awarded annually across all categories)
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Provider
Government of Paraguay (Ministerio de Hacienda / Ministerio de Educación y Ciencias)
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Acceptance
Varies by number of applicants; competitive based on university ranking points
BECAL is the flagship scholarship program of the Paraguayan government, managed by the Ministry of Finance. It is designed to strengthen Paraguay's human capital by funding postgraduate studies at the world's most prestigious universities. The program requires recipients to return to Paraguay and contribute their acquired knowledge for a minimum period of double the duration of the scholarship.
👥 Who Should Apply
Paraguayan citizens with high academic merit and admission to elite global institutions.
🏛️ Host University
Top-ranked international universities worldwide (typically within the top 50-100 of QS, ARWU, or Times Higher Education rankings)
🤝 Sponsor
Ministerio de Hacienda (Ministry of Finance) of Paraguay
🔬 Fields of Study
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Education, and Strategic Innovation
✨ Key Benefits
Full funding covering 100% of tuition, airfare, international health insurance, monthly living expenses, and settlement costs for the duration of the study program.
🎯 Target Students
Paraguayan professionals, researchers, and educators
🏷 Tags
Paraguay
International Study
Master's
PhD
STEM
Education
Research
Fully Funded
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes, 100% of academic fees covered
Living Stipend
Yes, monthly allowance varies by destination country (typically $1,000 to $2,500 USD)
Total Award
Up to $50,000 for Master's a
✈️ Travel: Yes, includes economy class round-trip airfare and an installation allowance
🏠 Accommodation: Included within the monthly living stipend allowance
💊 Health Insurance: Yes, comprehensive international health insurance provided
🔄 Renewable: No
💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes, 100% of academic fees covered
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, monthly allowance varies by destination country (typically $1,000 to $2,500 USD)
🏡 Accommodation
Included within the monthly living stipend allowance
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, includes economy class round-trip airfare and an installation allowance
💊 Health Insurance
Yes, comprehensive international health insurance provided
🎁 Other Benefits
Settlement allowance, book allowance, return allowance, and thesis production costs
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable; scholarship is for a fixed duration determined by the study program
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must be a Paraguayan citizen or naturalized citizen, possess a university degree (for postgrad), and hold an unconditional admission letter from a top-ranked international university.
🎓 Academic Level
Master's, PhD, Postdoctoral research, and Undergraduate Student Mobility
📊 Minimum GPA
Varies by call, typically requires a strong academic record (minimum 3.0/5.0 or equivalent)
🗣️ English Requirement
Must meet the language proficiency requirements of the host university (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or CEFR)
🎂 Age Limit
No general age limit, though specific calls for student mobility may have restrictions
💼 Work Experience
Preferred for Master's programs; often required for specific professional education calls
🏆 Leadership
Evaluated through professional profile and social commitment statements
💰 Financial Need
No (Merit-based)
🎯 Target Students
Paraguayan professionals, researchers, and educators
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes, includes a Statement of Purpose and a Return/Reintegration Plan for Paraguay
Rec Letters
Yes, usually two academic or professional letters of recommendation
Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on a points-based ranking system of documents)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes, usually two academic or professional letters of recommendation Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Must meet the language proficiency requirements of the host university (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or CEFR)
- Interview: No (Selection is primarily based on a points-based ranking system of documents)
- Min GPA: Varies by call, typically requires a strong academic record (minimum 3.0/5.0 or equivalent)
📋 Application Process
Focus on obtaining an unconditional admission letter from a university in the top 50 of international rankings to maximize points. Ensure your return plan clearly explains how your studies will benefit Paraguay's development.
💡 Insider Tip: Check the specific 'Guía de Bases y Condiciones' for each call, as university ranking requirements can change depending on the scholarship category.