A Pathway for International Research
The Brasillinois program funds “sandwich” Ph.D. scholarships, enabling Brazilian doctoral candidates to carry out six to ten months of research at one of the University of Illinois campuses—Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, or Springfield. The initiative is open to all fields of knowledge represented in the universities’ graduate programs.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected scholars will receive comprehensive support from the Brazilian government, including:
- A monthly stipend
- Relocation and installation assistance
- Health insurance coverage
- Travel allowances
- Application Process and Timeline
- Applications are free of charge and must be submitted exclusively online through the CAPES platform. Key dates include:
- November 13, 2025: Deadline to submit proposals and required documentation
- March 31, 2026: Final results announced
- August 2026: Start of activities at the University of Illinois
- Read the full CAPES announcement here.
Expectations for Illinois Faculty
Contact & Pre-Acceptance: Ph.D. candidates or their supervisors in Brazil will contact University of Illinois System faculty directly—or through the Brasillinois leadership—when seeking host supervisors. Candidates must include a letter of pre-acceptance from Illinois faculty in their application, confirming willingness to supervise the student for six to ten months if funding is awarded. Guidance on drafting this letter will be provided by the candidate or their Brazilian supervisor. Illinois faculty with questions may contact the Brasillinois leadership.
Visa Document Fees: Student applicants and their prospective advisors should be aware that is a university-specific fee for preparing the documentation for applying for their visa. This fee may be covered by a faculty member or by their department, but if it is not paid by campus sources, it will need to be paid by the visiting scholar.
Role of the Illinois Supervisor: Students are expected to engage actively in lab or departmental activities. Supervisors will collaborate with the Ph.D. candidates on their dissertation research, typically resulting in scientific articles and other scholarly outputs.
Program Costs: Students are fully funded by the Brazilian government for their travel and during their stay.
Strengthening Academic Ties
By opening doors for doctoral students to immerse themselves in international research environments, the Brasillinois Mobility Program represents a significant step in expanding collaboration between Brazil and the United States. It not only enhances academic training but also fosters long-term partnerships between institutions.
Contact
For additional information, faculty may contact Angelina Sandora at sandora3@uillinois.edu
