Brazil is a small entry on most Pakistani students' scholarship lists, and the options here are few but distinct. We track three: PEC-G for undergraduates, PEC-PG for graduate study, and CNPq research funding. Each one works through a different channel and each comes with its own catch. This page puts them side by side so you can see quickly which one fits your level of study and how much risk you are taking on by applying.
In short, PEC-G suits school leavers who want a free bachelor's degree at a Brazilian public university and can cover their own living costs. PEC-PG suits master's and PhD candidates, but only if their country qualifies. CNPq suits researchers who can find a matching public call and, in most cases, a Brazilian host.
All Brazil scholarships at a glance
| Scholarship | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Student-Agreement Undergraduate Program (PEC-G) | Partial Funding | Pre-registration typically opens in July; dates vary by year |
| CNPq Scholarships Brazil (Research Funding) | Full / Partial | Varies by public call |
| PEC-PG Scholarship (Brazil) | Fully Funded | Varies yearly; a recent cycle closed around November |
The fully funded route: PEC-PG for master's and PhD
On paper, the PEC-PG Scholarship is the most generous option in Brazil. It is listed as fully funded and described as Brazil's flagship graduate scholarship. That is the good news.
The problem is eligibility. PEC-PG depends on your country having a bilateral education cooperation agreement with Brazil, and that status is not confirmed for Pakistan, India or Bangladesh. Our listing currently marks the dates as unconfirmed too. The deadline varies from year to year, and a recent cycle closed around November.
Our view: do not build your whole plan around PEC-PG. Read the guide, check the current call text for the list of eligible countries, and only then decide whether to spend time on it. If Pakistan is not on that list, no amount of strong documents will help. You can find the full details on our scholarship page.
Free tuition for undergraduates: PEC-G
The Brazilian Student-Agreement Undergraduate Program (PEC-G) is the option we would point most Pakistani school leavers towards first. It is Brazil's flagship undergraduate exchange program, run jointly by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, and it offers free tuition at public and select private Brazilian universities. It is open to students from partner developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Be clear about what "partial funding" means here. The award is the tuition waiver. Plan on paying for housing, food and travel yourself, and have a realistic budget before you apply.
The timing is also unusual. Pre-registration typically opens in July, followed shortly after by an in-person submission at the embassy. Exact dates vary by year, so watch for the announcement from around mid-year rather than waiting until autumn. Our listing shows applications as open. See the full details for the current cycle.
Research money from CNPq
CNPq Scholarships Brazil are different from the other two. The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) funds research through scholarships and grants for scientific and technological projects in Brazil and abroad. Funding can be full or partial depending on the call.
There is no single annual deadline. Each opportunity is released as a public call, known in Portuguese as a chamada pública, and each call sets its own dates and rules. That makes CNPq better suited to researchers who are already in contact with a Brazilian lab or supervisor than to a student browsing for a first scholarship. Our listing shows applications as open, but you need to find a specific call that fits you. The full details page links to the official source.
Which Brazilian scholarship makes sense for you
Start with your level of study, because that narrows things fast.
- Finishing intermediate or A levels: PEC-G is your option. Budget for living costs, since tuition is the part that is covered.
- Applying for a master's or PhD: look at PEC-PG first, but confirm eligibility for Pakistan before anything else. Keep CNPq in view if you have a research project and a possible host.
- Already doing research: CNPq calls are the most realistic path, especially if a Brazilian supervisor can point you to a suitable call.
If you are applying for graduate study, it makes sense to apply to other countries in parallel. Brazil's graduate funding for Pakistani applicants carries real uncertainty, and our scholarships guide for Pakistani students lists alternatives you can run alongside it.
Getting your documents ready for Brazil
Each programme sets its own document list, so read the official call for whichever one you choose. Still, the basics overlap: attested transcripts and degrees, a valid passport, a statement of purpose or research proposal, and recommendation letters. For PEC-G, remember that the embassy submission is in person, so keep originals and copies organised well ahead of July. For CNPq, a clear research proposal tied to the call's topic matters more than anything else.
Our documents checklist for international scholarships covers attestation and translation steps that apply to most of these applications.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fully funded scholarship in Brazil for Pakistani students?
PEC-PG is listed as fully funded, but its eligibility depends on a bilateral education agreement that is not confirmed for Pakistan. CNPq can offer full funding in some calls. PEC-G covers tuition only.
When does PEC-G open?
Pre-registration typically opens in July, with in-person embassy submission shortly after. Exact dates vary by year, so check the official announcement each cycle.
Does PEC-G cover living costs?
Our data lists PEC-G as partial funding, with free tuition at public and select private Brazilian universities. Plan to cover your own living costs.
What is the PEC-PG deadline?
It varies yearly. A recent cycle closed around November, and current dates are unconfirmed, so verify on the official site.
How do I apply for CNPq funding?
CNPq works through individual public calls (chamadas públicas), each with its own deadline and requirements. Find a call that matches your field and level, then follow its specific instructions.
For the full eligibility rules and step-by-step application process, open the individual guide for each scholarship linked above, and always confirm dates and country lists on the official programme websites before you apply.