TWAS-CNPq Postgraduate Fellowships are tenable at research institutions in Brazil for a period of up to four years (FULL-TIME PhD) and are awarded to students from developing countries (other than Brazil) to enable them to pursue a full-time PhD in Brazil.

The academic year in Brazil usually begins on 1 March and the second semester in early August of each year. Candidates will enrol for their PhD at the host institution and must observe the academic calendar of the host institution, i.e. be ready to start their Fellowship on the first day of classes/courses (most likely in Portuguese).

A list of research institutions in Brazil where TWAS-CNPq Fellowships are tenable (CAPES-Conceito 5 and above) is available at : https://nuvem.cnpq.br/index.php/s/TJkw5YM8jCpozqk (Portuguese version) or https://nuvem.cnpq.br/index.php/s/BZfqcyWgfXXC5PG (English version).  

CNPq will provide a standard monthly allowance which should be used to cover living costs, such as accommodation and food. The monthly stipend will not be convertible into foreign currency.

Information about living conditions, such as possibilities of accommodation, transportation, and any other issues related to the candidate's stay in Brazil must be obtained locally, directly from the host institution. Neither TWAS nor CNPq can provide this information.

In most institutions the language of instruction is Portuguese; in a few institutions it is English.

Hold a university degree in the Natural Sciences (minimum Master’s degree).

Have good command of Portuguese and/or Spanish and/or English.

Be a national of a developing country other than Brazil.

Must not hold a visa for permanent or temporary residency in Brazil or in a developed country and not be residing in these locations.

Provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship.

Not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship.

Provide an official acceptance letter from the host institution (that must be prepared using the standard template that can be downloaded below or from the CNPq online application system of the Carlos Chagas Platform) and be willing to register for a full PhD degree  at a participating CAPES-listed Brazilian institution (see list at: https://nuvem.cnpq.br/index.php/s/TJkw5YM8jCpozqk for the Portuguese version,  or https://nuvem.cnpq.br/index.php/s/BZfqcyWgfXXC5PG for the English version).  

Present a certificate of proficiency in Portuguese, Spanish, or English. For English: provide evidence, such as a standardized test result (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.). If the educational/academic trajectory was carried out in English, Portuguese or Spanish, present the high school diploma, higher education or master's degree (MSc) certificates in these languages as applicable.

Have an updated Curriculum Vitae on CNPq’s Lattes Platform at https://wwws.cnpq.br/cvlattesweb/pkg_cv_estr.inicio (see guidelines on CV Lattes and online applications available for download below).

Present a detailed research plan agreed by her/his host supervisor.

Be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.

Applications to the TWAS-CNPq Fellowships must be submitted to CNPq online (see guidelines on the CNPq online application system available for download below).

Information on the call for applications where you will find the programme details, eligibility criteria, required documents and certificates as well as the online application form are available in the documents below or at http://memoria2.cnpq.br/web/guest/chamadas-publicas?p_p_id=resultadosportlet_WAR_resultadoscnpqportlet_INSTANCE_0ZaM&filtro=abertas/

Firstly, the candidate must create a CV Lattes through the link: https://wwws.cnpq.br/cvlattesweb/pkg_cv_estr.inicio (see guidelines on CV Lattes available for download below).

Applicants must be aware that CNPq and TWAS will not accept applications submitted by any other means except via the CNPq online application system (e.g. by email, fax or post).

No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Therefore, it is recommended to submit your electronic application as early as possible.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should submit the Acceptance Letter from a CAPES-listed institution to CNPq when applying. Without preliminary acceptance, the application will not be considered for selection.

Queries concerning the submission of applications via the online application platform of CNPq should be directed to twas.ascin@cnpq.br

Applicants should be aware that they can apply for only one fellowship per year. With the exception of the Visiting Scientists programme, all other fellowship programmes offered by TWAS and OWSD are mutually exclusive.