Mexico: CONAHCYT

PhD Scholarships for Mexican Students

Mexican students have an opportunity to apply for full funding to do their PhD studies at the University of Groningen with a scholarship made available by the Mexican Council for Science & Technology (CONAHCYT).

Calls for Applications

The general call for applications for Mexican nationals to apply to CONAHCYT funding for full PhD studies abroad is published each calendar year. To learn about future calls for applications keep an eye on the CONAHCYT website.

Note that in addition to the above CONAHCYT may open, throughout the year:

  • other topical calls in priority areas
  • separate calls coordinated via its regional offices ("entidades federales") in different Mexican states

Call for Applications and Deadlines

The central call for full PhD funding in 2024 opened on 25 March.

Students are responsible to submit their application to CONAHCYT.

Application Period 2024:

  • Applications to be submitted as of 25 March 2024
  • Application deadline: 24 May 2024
  • Publication of results: 2 August 2024

Selected grantees need to start their mobility 31 March 2025 at the latest. A realistic first possible start date at UG is four months after the publication of results. A December start date is not possible at UMCG for administrative reasons, which means that we recommend to start between January and March 2025.

Call text (in Spanish).

For Prospective PhD Students

  • We welcome you to look into the offer of our Research Institutes and the UMCG research website. Considering that websites may be hard to navigate, in case you need assistance locating a supervisor for your PhD project, please send a message to the Graduate School of Medical Sciences with your English language CV and a summary of your research focus. 
  • You may download the brochure with more information specifically for Mexican prospective PhD students
  • You can find the outline of the PhD curriculum in the PhD Study Guide.

Applicants will need to provide the following general documentation to CONAHCYT that require input from the Graduate School and/or UMCG supervisor:

  • Letter of acceptance, contact the Graduate School of Medical Sciences
  • PhD project proposal, signed by the applicant & supervisor (max. 10 pp.)
  • Outline of the PhD curriculum: use the PhD Study Guide
  • Letter regarding the UG fee waiver policy as outlined in the agreement between UG and CONAHCYT
  • Letter regarding the language of instruction for the PhD program (English)

Note that as of 2023, it is a hard requirement to submit proof of proficiency in English, as part of your admission to the GSMS PhD program. Minimum score tests: TOEFL iBT 92 (minimum skill score 20) or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum band score of 6.0 on each individual part); TOEFL iBT Home Edition tests are acceptable. More information on GSMS requirements you may find here.

Moreover, we also strongly recommend that you consult this information sheet with some important information on how to fill out your application.

Interested students may also contact the UG Representative Office in Mexico, Mr Luis Andrés González Gutiérrez.

Groningen tops up your scholarship!

Students who are admitted to the Groningen PhD program and who will obtain their PhD degree (also) from Groningen will receive a top-up of their monthly scholarship for the period of research carried out at Groningen (conditions may apply).

For more information, consult this FAQ section!

For UMCG Supervisors

In order to prepare the letter of acceptance for CONAHCYT PhD applicants, UMCG supervisors should provide the Graduate School of Medical Sciences with the information and documentation requested here. 

No bench fees can be claimed from CONAHCYT. UMCG supervisors of successful applicants will receive the standard annual contribution towards bench fees from the Graduate School. More information about GSMS fee policies can be found here.

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