GCUB International Mobility Program in Brazil (Fully Funded MS and PhD Opportunity)

The GCUB International Mobility Program (GCUB-Mob) offers scholarships with monthly stipends for international students pursuing Master’s or Doctoral degrees at Brazilian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This guide simplifies the key details to help you understand the program, eligibility, application process, and benefits. You can also check Schwarzman Scholars Program 2026

About GCUB and GCUB-Mob

The International Cooperation Group of Brazilian Universities (GCUB), founded in 2008, is a non-profit association of 101 Brazilian and 7 foreign institutions. Its mission is to foster academic, scientific, and cultural collaboration through international programs like GCUB-Mob. This program supports students from all five continents to study in Brazil, starting in 2026.

Program Overview

What is GCUB-Mob?

GCUB-Mob provides scholarships for international students to pursue:

• Master’s degrees (up to 24 months)
• Doctoral degrees (up to 48 months)

These programs are offered at GCUB-associated Brazilian HEIs, with degrees valid in Brazil. Note that diploma recognition in other countries is the student’s responsibility.

Scholarship Benefits

Selected candidates receive:

• Exemption from enrollment, tuition, and academic fees.
• Monthly stipend:
  • Master’s: Based on Brazilian federal agency standards for postgraduate funding.
  • Doctorate: Based on Brazilian federal agency standards for doctoral funding.
• Access to university facilities (e.g., restaurants, libraries, labs) under the same conditions as other students.
• Note: Students must cover initial expenses (e.g., airfare, visa, international health insurance) until the first stipend is received.

See also: Scholarships for Talented International Students in Slovakia

Language Requirements

• Check the language requirements of your chosen program in the Table of Masters and Doctorates of Brazilian HEI.
• All students must demonstrate at least an intermediate level of Portuguese before defending their thesis/dissertation, certified by the host HEI.

Program Start

• Start date: Varies by HEI’s academic calendar (check the Table of Masters and Doctorates).

See also: 5 Fully Funded PhD Positions at University of Zurich

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for GCUB-Mob, you must:

• Be a citizen of a country with diplomatic relations with Brazil (non-Brazilian nationality).
• Be in good physical and mental health for postgraduate studies.
• Have the financial ability to cover additional expenses (e.g., airfare, visa, international health insurance).
• Hold an undergraduate diploma (for both Master’s and Doctoral applicants).
• For Doctoral applicants: Check if the program requires a Master’s degree (refer to the Table of Masters and Doctorates).
• Apply in Portuguese, English, Spanish, or French.

You can apply for up to five Master’s or Doctoral programs at different HEIs, preferably in different regions of Brazil.

Check also: 15 Fully Funded PhD Scholarship Opportunities at University of Bergen, Norway

Application Process

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online via the GCUB-Mob Online Application Form. The process is free and must be completed by July 13, 2025.

Required Documents

Upload the following in PDF format:

1. Identification: Copy of passport, citizenship document, or national ID.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): No proof required initially, but GCUB or the HEI may request documentation later.
3. Undergraduate Diploma: Or a certificate/declaration of completion.
4. Master’s Diploma (for Doctoral applicants, if required by the program).
5. Two Essays (for each program applied to):
   • Essay 1: Academic and professional expectations, including plans to return to your home country (max 1,000 words).
   • Essay 2: Research proposal (max 4,000 words) covering:
     • Central theme and research problem
     • Delimitation and justification
     • Objectives
     • Literature review
     • Methodological process
     • Timeline
     • Bibliographical references
   • Format: Times New Roman, size 12, 1.5 cm line spacing, 2.5 cm margins.
6. For university professors: Proof of employment with a higher education institution.

See also: CERN Doctoral Student Programme 2025

Note: If selected, some documents may need to be officially translated into Portuguese.

Important Application Notes

• Submit applications early to avoid technical issues.
• Incomplete or late applications will be disqualified.
• Multiple applications from the same candidate will result in disqualification.
• All information provided must be accurate; falsified documents lead to exclusion.

Selection Process

The selection process has three phases (all eliminatory):

1. Document Consistency Analysis (July 21–August 1, 2025):
   • A GCUB committee verifies if all required documents are complete and submitted on time.
2. Merit and Admissibility Analysis (August 11–September 6, 2025):
   • Host universities evaluate applications based on submitted documents and pre-approve candidates (up to four times the available slots).
   • Geographical diversity is considered without compromising academic merit.
3. Final Classification (October 13–17, 2025):
   • An Evaluation Advisory Committee allocates candidates to programs based on:
     • Geographical distribution
     • Affiliation with higher education institutions
     • Course preferences
     • Human Development Index (HDI) of the candidate’s country
     • Gender equality
   • Results are finalized by October 24, 2025, and published on October 31, 2025 at gcub.org.br.

Read: 17 PhD Scholarship Opportunities at the University of Manchester

Note: No appeals are accepted during the selection process.

After Selection

Notification and Acceptance

• Selected candidates are notified via email and receive an Acceptance Letter from the host university.
• Candidates must sign and return the Scholarship Acceptance Contract within 10 days or risk losing the scholarship.
• If a candidate declines, substitutes are called based on the committee’s ranking.

Responsibilities of Selected Candidates

• Health Insurance: Obtain international health insurance (covering medical, hospital, and funeral repatriation) before arriving in Brazil. Renew annually and submit proof to GCUB.
• Visa: Obtain a Temporary Visa IV (Student Visa) or equivalent from a Brazilian Consulate.
• Immigration: Keep your National Immigration Registry updated.
• Academic Commitment: Dedicate full time to the program and comply with HEI and Brazilian regulations.
• Return Home: Return to your home country within 30 days after completing studies, unless pursuing further academic programs.
• Financial Responsibility: Cover personal expenses, airfare, visa costs, and other non-scholarship expenses.
• Travel Notifications: Inform the Institutional Coordinator before international travel.
• Communication: Use [email protected] for all program-related inquiries.

Read also: Portugal Government Scholarships 2025-2026

Additional Notes for Health Sciences/Medical Programs

• Candidates cannot perform patient procedures unless strictly necessary for research, per Brazilian regulations.
• Medical program candidates require supervision by a responsible professional registered with the Regional Council of Medicine.

Key Dates

• June 5, 2025: Application period opens.
• July 13, 2025: Application period closes.
• July 21–August 1, 2025: Document analysis.
• August 11–September 6, 2025: Merit and admissibility analysis.
• October 13–17, 2025: Final classification.
• October 20–24, 2025: Approval by universities.
• October 31, 2025: Results published.

Additional Information

• For questions, contact [email protected].
• Unaddressed issues will be resolved by GCUB’s Support Committee for Research and Graduate Programs (CAPPPG).
• Partner organizations (e.g., UNESCO, OAS) support the program but hold no liability.