About the program

Given its awareness of the need to contribute to the strengthening of technical capacities in high-priority topics for agriculture in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the Government of Mexico, along with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), has agreed to establish a strategic partnership with IICA that will be executed by the National Council on Science and Technology (CONACYT) in that country.

Through this partnership, CONACYT will award one hundred scholarships per year to professionals in Latin America and the Caribbean who wish to pursue postgraduate programs at Mexican academic institutions in the area of sustainable agriculture, or any other science related to the thematic areas of the Institute.

To this end, CONACYT and IICA will jointly select applicants who wish to pursue postgraduate studies to broaden their knowledge and, in this way, contribute to the development of a competitive, sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector in the Americas. Through its units and delegations in its member countries, the Institute will provide CONACYT with information on the Mexican institutions where applicants will study, based on their interests and expectations.

Thematic area

The initiative will focus on developing the technical capacities of scholarship recipients, through their participation in specialization courses, or master’s and doctoral programs in the following topics:

• Competitiveness and sustainability of agricultural chains for food security and economic development.
• Inclusion in agriculture and rural territories.
• Resilience and comprehensive risk management in agriculture.
• Productivity and sustainability of family farming for food security and the rural economy.
• Agricultural health and food safety.
• Other related topics.

Beneficiaries

Latin American students who wish to receive training through one of the face-to-face, conventional doctoral, master’s or specialized studies programs in agriculture registered with the National Program for Quality Postgraduate Studies (PNPC) of Mexico, and who have obtained a scholarship under the annual CONACYT National Call for Scholarships.

Application/Requirements

• Applicants must apply directly to a Mexican academic institution and select a postgraduate program approved by the National Program for Quality Postgraduate Studies in one of IICA’s thematic areas.
• The list of postgraduate programs is available in the following link: http://svrtmp.main.conacyt.mx/ConsultasPNPC/listar_padron.php
• Applicants must have a weighted average of over 80% on a scale of 0 to 100%.
• Scholarship recipients must agree to return to their country of origin upon completing their studies.
• Once admitted by the academic institution, applicants must fill out the form available on IICA’s website and attach the acceptance letter from the institution. IICA will then provide relevant advice and assistance to applicants so that they may begin their postgraduate studies.

Eligibility

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of merit and the quality of their applications, by means of competitive, efficient, fair, transparent and public procedures. Support awarded by CONACYT is subject to the evaluation, selection, formalization and monitoring processes detailed in the regulatory framework of each program. In awarding resources to the beneficiaries, CONACYT does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any social distinction or condition.

What does the IICA-CONACYT scholarship include?

• Payment of a monthly stipend, depending on the level of studies, beginning on the date established in the letter of award of scholarship and in the scholarship agreement. Payment will only be made after the start date of the scholarship, for each of the two periods detailed in the calendar of the present call for applications.
• Airline tickets to Mexico are NOT covered by the scholarship.
• Medical attention, provided by the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) of Mexico, throughout the effective life of the scholarship, covering the scholarship recipient and, if applicable, his/her spouse and children, subject to the rules and regulations of ISSSTE.
• Possibility of participating in a visiting professionals program outside of Mexico, for up to 6 months for students in a master’s or specialization program or up to 12 months for doctoral students. Scholarship recipients would receive an additional stipend amount and financial assistance to cover medical insurance and transportation costs, based on the authorized amounts detailed in the CONACYT Call for Mixed Scholarships. Although the Call for Mixed Scholarship states that “students who are not of Mexican nationality” cannot participate in a visiting professionals program in their country of origin, this provision shall not apply to students who obtain a scholarship under the present call for applications.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the requirements for applying to the IICA-CONACYT Scholarship Program?

   • Applicants must apply directly to a Mexican academic institution and select a postgraduate program approved by the National Program for Quality Postgraduate Studies in one of IICA’s thematic areas.
   • The list of postgraduate programs is available in the following link: http://svrtmp.main.conacyt.mx/ConsultasPNPC/listar_padron.php /li>
   • Applicants must have a weighted average of over 80% on a scale of 0 to 100%.
   • Scholarship recipients must agree to return to their country of origin upon completing their studies.
   • Once admitted by the academic institution, applicants must fill out the form available on IICA’s website and attach the acceptance letter from the institution. IICA will then provide relevant advice and assistance to applicants so that they may begin their postgraduate studies.

2. Which study areas are covered by the IICA-CONACYT scholarships?

   The initiative will focus on developing the technical capacities of scholarship recipients, through their participation in specialization courses, or master’s and doctoral programs in the following topics:

   • Technological innovation
   • Agricultural health and food safety
   • Agribusiness and marketing
   • Agriculture, rural territories, and rural well-being
   • Agriculture, management of natural resources, and climate change
   • Agriculture and food security
   • Other related topics (veterinary medicine, agricultural economy, sociology)

3. What does the IICA-CONACYT scholarship include?

   Payment of a monthly stipend by CONACYT in Mexico. Health insurance provided by the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) of Mexico, covering the scholarship recipient and, if applicable, his/her spouse and children, subject to the rules and regulations of ISSSTE.

   Scholarship recipients participating in a visiting professionals program are also eligible to receive a mixed scholarship from CONACYT to help defray the cost of tickets and their extended stay while conducting research.

4. Does the scholarship program offer financial assistance to pursue studies in other countries?

   No, these scholarships only offer financial support for in-person participation in postgraduate programs in Mexico approved by the National Program for Quality Postgraduate Studies (PNPC).

5. Are only 100 scholarships granted per year?

   The program sets a goal of 100 scholarship recipients. However, granting more than 100 scholarships is not a problem, and would instead greatly benefit the program.

6. Can scholarship recipients receive additional financial support from another institution?

   Yes. The IICA-CONACYT scholarships provide financial support (based on authorized and continuously updated amounts); however, there is no problem with scholarship recipients receiving additional support from other sources. For example, scholarship recipients can apply to receive support from a national institution in their countries, to help defray the cost of airline tickets or other expenses.

   One example in Costa Rica is the Ministry of Science and Technology, which has several economic assistance programs for students.

   The National Research Agency in Uruguay is another example of an institution that can support students participating in this program.