PEC-G Scholarship Programme (Programa de Estudantes-Convênio de Graduação)

The PEC-G Scholarship Programme (Programa de Estudantes-Convênio de Graduação) is a longstanding Brazilian Government initiative established in 1965. It is jointly administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) and the Ministry of Education (MEC), in collaboration with numerous Brazilian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The primary purpose of PEC-G is to offer tuition-free undergraduate study opportunities to talented students from developing countries with which Brazil maintains educational cooperation agreements. The program is a cornerstone of Brazil's educational cooperation with the developing world and serves as a significant instrument for internationalizing its higher education sector.

PEC-G is highly regarded as Brazil's main pathway for international undergraduates from partner nations to pursue a full bachelor's degree at public and select private Brazilian universities without tuition costs. Over the decades, the program has enabled thousands of students to gain a Brazilian university education, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening bilateral ties. Mozambique, as a partner country, has a strong track record of its citizens successfully participating in this prestigious program.

To be eligible for the PEC-G Scholarship Programme, applicants must meet several key criteria:

• Nationality and Residency: Be a national of a PEC-G partner country and reside outside of Brazil at the time of application. Applicants must not hold Brazilian citizenship or have the right to it, nor hold any type of Brazilian residence or visa, except for a tourist visa. The list of eligible countries, which includes Mozambique, spans approximately 70 nations across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and parts of Europe that have bilateral cooperation agreements with Brazil.
• Age Limits: Be at least 18 years old by the date specified in the Call Notice, typically January 1st of the enrollment year (e.g., January 1, 2027, for the 2027 intake). While generally preferred to be up to 23-25 years old, exceptions may apply.
• Academic Level: Have completed secondary education (high school) outside of Brazil, or be in the process of completing it by the end of the application year. Those completing secondary education must present their certificate of completion upon enrollment in Brazil if selected.
• GPA: Maintain an overall average grade of at least 60% in secondary school across all subjects. For language requirements, a final average grade of at least 60% in the country's official language during secondary education is also typically required.
• Language Requirements: Proficiency in Portuguese is essential as most programs are taught in Portuguese. Applicants must generally present a Celpe-Bras certificate (Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners). Alternatively, an intermediate-level certificate from an Instituto Guimarães Rosa (IGR) Portuguese language course is accepted. If Portuguese was an official language throughout high school, applicants may need a Celpe-Bras certificate OR an overall average grade of at least 65% in Portuguese in high school. Applicants without a Celpe-Bras certificate can apply for PEC-G concurrently with PEC-PLE (Programa de Estudantes-Convênio de Português como Língua Estrangeira), a preparatory Portuguese language and Brazilian culture course offered in Brazil. Successfully passing the Celpe-Bras exam after the PEC-PLE course is a prerequisite for starting the undergraduate degree.
• Financial Capability: Demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves in Brazil, as PEC-G primarily covers tuition fees. Applicants must submit a Financial Responsibility Statement (TRF) signed by a financial guarantor who commits to providing at least US$300 per month for living expenses, housing, and food, with higher amounts for larger cities (e.g., ~US$500 for São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro). Proof of income from the sponsor(s) is also required.
• Commitment: Commit to returning to their home country upon graduation to contribute to its development.

The PEC-G Scholarship Programme is primarily a tuition-free initiative for undergraduate study at Brazilian public (and some private) universities. This means it provides:

• Tuition Fee Waiver: Complete coverage of all university tuition, registration, exam, and laboratory fees throughout the entire degree program.
• Health Assistance: Access to the Unified Health System of Brazil (SUS) for medical, dental, and pharmaceutical assistance. However, students' financial sponsors are encouraged to acquire complementary health insurance plans.
• Diploma Legalization: Free legalization or apostille of final academic documents (diploma, course outlines, transcripts) at the Brazilian embassy or consulate where the student applied.

It is crucial to note that PEC-G does not, by default, cover living expenses, accommodation, international flights, or daily personal costs. Students are responsible for these expenses, typically through a financial sponsor. However, PEC-G students may become eligible for additional support programs once they are in Brazil and enrolled, such as:

• Merit Scholarship (Bolsa MRE): Offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) to PEC-G students with outstanding academic performance after their first year. This typically provides a monthly scholarship for a specific period.
• Promisaes (Milton Santos Project for Access to Higher Education): Provided by the Ministry of Education (MEC) for PEC-G students enrolled in federal universities, offering additional support such as housing or meal assistance. The availability and nature of this support can vary by institution.
• Other institutional support: Some universities may offer their own supplementary housing or meal support schemes to PEC-G students, but this varies from one institution to another.
• Return Flight Ticket: In some cases, a flight ticket back home after graduation might be provided through supplementary programs.

The application process for the PEC-G Scholarship is distinctive and does not involve direct application to Brazilian universities from abroad. It generally follows these steps:

1. Online Pre-registration: Complete the free online pre-registration form during the annual call window. The form is typically available in Portuguese, Spanish, English, and French. During this step, you will provide personal information, choose the country and Brazilian embassy/consulate where you wish to apply, and attach your complete high school transcript.
2. In-person Registration at Brazilian Embassy/Consulate: After online pre-registration, applicants must present themselves in person at the Brazilian embassy or consulate in their home country to submit all required documents and complete the formal selection process.
3. Language Assessment: If you do not already possess a Celpe-Bras certificate, you may sit for a required Portuguese-language assessment at the embassy/consulate, or register for the PEC-PLE program if not yet proficient.
4. Await Selection Results: The selection results, which determine placement at a partner university, are jointly announced by the MRE and MEC.
5. Visa and Travel Arrangements: Once formally selected and placed, complete visa formalities and make travel arrangements to Brazil.

Required Documents:

• Online Pre-registration Form: Completed and submitted.
• Valid Passport: Original and copy.
• Secondary School Completion Certificate/Diploma: Original and copy, or a declaration from your school if still completing.
• Academic Transcripts: Original and copy of high school transcripts showing all subjects and grades obtained in every year of secondary education, along with a simple translation into Portuguese, English, French, or Spanish if not already in one of these languages.
• Proof of Portuguese Proficiency: Celpe-Bras certificate, OR proof of registration for the Celpe-Bras exam, OR a certificate of intermediate-level Portuguese from an Instituto Guimarães Rosa (IGR) unit. If applying for PEC-PLE, proof of enrollment intent.
• Passport-sized Photographs: Generally required.
• Proof of Nationality: Original and copy of one or more valid official documents (e.g., birth certificate, national ID card) that verify your nationality and the nationality of your parents.
• Statement(s) of Financial Responsibility (TRF): Original and notarized, filled out by the financial sponsor(s) guaranteeing sufficient monthly funds (minimum US$300, higher for large cities).
• Proof of Income from Financial Sponsor(s): Documents like income tax returns, bank statements, and/or pay slips.
• Sponsor's ID: Copy of a valid official identification document with photo and signature.
• Statement of Commitment for Application (TCI): Filled out in Portuguese and signed by the applicant, agreeing to comply with the program's rules.
• Medical Certificate: Original medical certificate of physical and mental health.
• Declaration of Commitment: Required upon selection.

Tips:

• Start studying Portuguese well in advance, as Celpe-Bras proficiency significantly widens university options.
• Confirm your country's current partner status for each cycle, as the list of PEC-G partner nations can change.
• Prepare all documents (transcripts, passport, photos, financial statements) in advance of the embassy appointment window, as slots can fill quickly.
• Budget realistically for living costs, as tuition is free but PEC-G does not cover accommodation or daily expenses by default.
• Consider applying for PEC-PLE first if your Portuguese is not yet at the required Celpe-Bras level.
• All documents not in Portuguese, English, French, or Spanish must include a simple translation into one of these languages.

Applications for the PEC-G Scholarship Programme typically follow an annual cycle.

• Pre-registration and Embassy Submission: Applications usually open in July with the free online pre-registration form, followed by in-person document submission at Brazilian embassies or consulates in July-August. For example, the deadline for pre-qualified candidates to submit documents for the 2027 intake was July 17, 2026, with embassies submitting applications until July 31, 2026.
• Selection Results: Selection results are jointly confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education usually late in the year, around September.
• Academic Year Begins: Most Brazilian universities start their academic year in February-March of the following year.

Therefore, applications typically open in July and close in August of the year prior to enrollment.

The selection process for the PEC-G Scholarship is competitive and is carried out by the Brazilian Embassy in the candidate's home country. Reviewers look for candidates who demonstrate strong academic potential and meet all eligibility requirements. Key aspects considered during selection include:

• Academic Performance: Evaluation is primarily based on the applicant's high school transcript of records or equivalent, with an emphasis on meeting the minimum average grades (at least 60% overall, and at least 60% in the country's official language).
• Portuguese Language Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in Portuguese (Celpe-Bras certificate) is a fundamental requirement. Candidates who need to undertake the PEC-PLE program must successfully pass the Celpe-Bras exam to proceed to undergraduate studies.
• Financial Capability: The ability to afford living expenses in Brazil, supported by the Financial Responsibility Statement and proof of income from a sponsor, is crucial since the program does not cover these costs.
• Commitment: A clear commitment to returning to their home country after graduation to contribute to its development.
• Social/Financial Situation: The social and financial situation of the candidate is also taken into consideration during the evaluation process.

Up to 1,400 candidates may be selected overall for a given intake, with a maximum of 700 for PEC-G (for entry in 2027/1 or 2027/2) and a maximum of 700 for PEC-PLE (for entry in 2027/1).