FAQ

Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ)

Objective?

Science without Borders is a large scale nationwide scholarship program primarily funded by the Brazilian federal government. The program seeks to strengthen and expand the initiatives of science and technology, innovation and competitiveness through international mobility of undergraduate and graduate students and researchers.

The program is a joint effort of the Ministry of Education (MEC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) through their respective funding agencies - CAPES and CNPq.

Primary Goal:

To qualify 100 thousand Brazilian students and researchers in top universities worldwide until 2014.

Fields of interest?

  • The fields of interest are mostly STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), as detailed below:
  • Engineering;
  • Physical Sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences;
  • Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences;
  • Computing and Information Technology;
  • Aerospace Technology;
  • Pharmaceuticals;
  • Sustainable Agricultural Production;
  • Oil, Gas and Coal;
  • Renewable Energy;
  • Minerals Technology;
  • Biotechnology;
  • Nanotechnology and New Materials;
  • Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters;
  • Bioprospecting and Biodiversity;
  • Marine Sciences;
  • Creative Industry;
  • New Technologies Construction Engineering;
  • Pratical Technologists;
  • Types of Scholarships;
  • Undergraduate Study Abroad;
  • PhD Internships Abroad;
  • Full-Time PhD;
  • Postdoc;
  • Professional Education;
  • Visiting Researchers/Scholars.

 


About the Program

What is the Science without Borders Program?

Science without Borders is a large-scale nationwide scholarship program primarily funded by the Brazilian federal government. The program seeks to strengthen and expand the initiatives of science and technology, innovation and competitiveness through international mobility of undergraduate and graduate students and researchers. The program is a joint effort of the Ministry of Education (MEC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) through their respective funding agencies - CAPES and CNPq.

 

What is the goal of the Program?

To qualify 100 thousand Brazilian students and researchers in top universities worldwide until 2014.
 

What are the fields of interest?
The fields of interest are those listed on the priority areas, mostly STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). To see the priority areas, check the main page of website.

 

About the Opportunities for Brazilians abroad

 
What should interested universities know to receive Brazilian students?
How does the university become a host institution?

The interested hosting institution should look after a partner of the program in homeland to receive further information. It will be necessary to fill a participation form enabling the partner to identify appropriate schools interested in hosting candidates. Completing the form does not obligate an institution to participate or accept the candidates. The final decision on whether a particular student is a good fit and admissible for a particular institution as a visiting non-degree student is up to that host school.


Which are the partners of Brazil?

·         Germany

·         Australia

·         Austria

·         Belgium

·         Canada

·         China

·         South Korea

·         Denmark

·         USA

·         Spain

·         Finland

·         France

·         Netherlands

·         Hungary

·         India

·         Ireland

·         Italy

·         Japan

·         Norway

·         New Zealand

·         Portugal

·         UK

·         Czech Republic

·         Russia

·         Sweden

·         Ukraine

 

How long the undergraduate students will take up the courses?

The period of the scholarship is up to 12 months. This is a one year non-degree program, as students will return to complete their degrees in Brazil.  It is hoped they will also engage in a summer internship.


What will be provided to the undergraduate students?

The partner will make arrangements to pay the students' tuition, room, board and health insurance upon receipt of an invoice from each host school. The partner will also provide visa sponsorship in the student non-degree category under the exchange visitor program. Round trip transportation to/from Brazil and a monthly stipend will be provided to each student directly from the Brazilian government.

 
How undergraduate students will be selected?
Students will be selected through calls for proposals, which will be announced by CAPES and CNPq. Brazilian universities will submit their top students selected on a merit basis which meet the requirements for each type of scholarship. The candidates will also have to prove they have enough knowledge of the language required.


Can the undergraduate students inform the schools they would like to be considered for?   
No, the partner in consultation with CAPES and CNPq will submit the application to the institutions that offer the related field of study (major). The partner will determine the most suitable option and present the information. Students may NOT indicate if they prefer specific institutions.


Can the undergraduate students contact directly the institution of their interest?     
 No, students do not have the option to choose the institution their application is being submitted to.

When will the students find out about their acceptance in the Brazil Science without Borders Program?
The list of selected students will be placed on Science without Borders website and each one will receive a letter of acceptance containing all necessary information to receive the scholarship.


About Opportunities for individuals form abroad

What kind of profile is expected for Young Talents Scholarship?
Young post-docs working abroad with very good scientific accomplishments and who have excelled in their scientific or technological career are eligible to Young Talents scholarship.

Which are the benefits on Young Talent scholarship?

The young talent will receive funding and resources to perform a two to three year-long research project in Brazil. The host research group would also receive funds, as a bench fee.

When and how can be done the submission for the opportunities to individuals from abroad?

An international call for proposals will be periodically and internationally disclosed. Check the “Opportunities for individuals from abroad” menu, on the main website page. The submission must be done exclusively by the Online Application Form, available

What is the Special Visiting Researcher scholarship?

Senior researchers who are internationally recognized science leaders will be stimulated to perform joint projects with research groups in Brazil and to work in the country for up to three months every year during two to three years. Doctoral students and post-docs will be supported to work in the project both in Brazil and abroad.

What kind of profile is expected for Special Visiting Researcher scholarship?
The scholarship program for "Special Visiting Researcher" aims to attract foreign researchers recognized internationally as leadership in priority areas of Science Without Borders program.

How can be done the submission for Special Visiting Researcher?

The proposal to receive a Special Visiting Researcher must only be submitted by the host researcher in Brazil, exclusively by the internet, through the Online Application Form, available in the website. It is necessary to attach a file with the research project and the candidate’s Curriculum resume into Lattes Platform or the summary of the candidate’s resume.

Which are the benefits included on Special Visiting Researcher program?

The benefits of this component will include the support for living expenses during the period the researcher spends in Brazil and also funding for the local laboratory. Distinct ways of collaboration with Brazilians scientists may also be proposed. Check the “Opportunities for individuals from abroad” menu, on the main website page or the complete document of Call, available in Portuguese.