Mexico
4 Fulbright Graduate Degree Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
The U.S.-Mexico Commission for Educational Exchange (COMEXUS), the Fulbright Commission in Mexico, will support up to four academic semesters (2 years) in a master’s program or up to six academic semesters (3 years) in a doctoral program. Selected candidates will receive funding for their first two semesters. Approval of subsequent financial support will be subject to academic performance and availability of funds. Benefits include monthly maintenance, up to 50,000 pesos in tuition per year, and one round-trip ticket from the United States to Mexico.
Only candidates seeking to complete a master’s or doctoral degree at a Mexican university or qualified Mexican academic institution are eligible to apply.
Applications will be accepted in all fields of study except medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry. Applications in STEM fields, and Public Policy, or Public Administration are particularly welcome.
Fulbright grants in Mexico are known as "Fulbright-García Robles" grants.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant Length:
Master's degree candidates: 9 months support for up to two years, to coincide with the academic calendar of the host institution (typically in early August).
Doctoral degree candidates: 12 months support for up to three years, to coincide with the academic calendar of the host institution (typically in early August).
Grant payments will not start before August of the grant year.
Orientation
All grantees will be required to attend a mandatory Welcome Orientation in Mexico City during the last week of August 2024, organized and sponsored by COMEXUS. If grantees have class times that conflict with this mandatory orientation, COMEXUS will provide a letter to excuse attendance or give permission to miss an activity of the orientation.
COMEXUS will arrange international transportation for grantees except in very specific cases in which grantees travel with a qualified dependent. Grantees should not purchase their airfare without first consulting their COMEXUS Program Officer.
Candidate Profile
Applications of all degree levels are accepted. Candidates should demonstrate:
- The need to complete their master's or doctoral degree in Mexico
- The connection of the university faculties/programs selected to the candidate's future goals
- The binational relevance and impact of their research interests
- Flexibility (especially for those seeking a master's degree) in modifying research plans to accommodate program learning and advisor guidance.
- Knowledge of the research generated by Mexican scholars (historical and contemporary) in their discipline.
Eligibility
7 Months
- Candidates must not be living, working or studying in Mexico during application and selection process.
- Candidates with a valid Tarjeta de Residente (temporal or permanente) are not eligible to apply.
Accepted Degree Levels
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
Refer to this program in your Statement of Grant Purpose and list 'Graduate Degree Award' under Award Name on the Fulbright application.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Higher level proficiency will be necessary to complete the requirements of the proposed degree program. Applicants should include in the Language Self-Evaluation plans for language study between the time of application and the commencement of the grant. A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college-level Spanish language instructor is also required.
Fulbright Proposal Types
No
Yes
Affiliation
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
Applicants are responsible for applying directly to the university’s graduate program in addition to the Fulbright Program. The applicant should attempt to obtain a letter from the university academic department stipulating that the academic program sought by the applicant is available and admission is feasible based on a preliminary review of the applicant's background and credentials.
It is recommended to research a minimum of three Mexican universities to determine, program(s) of interest, call for application deadlines and program start date, and whether these programs are a good fit for the candidate's profile. Applicants must refer to at least one and up to three Mexican university programs in which they are interested in applying and justify these choices in the Statement of Purpose.
Applicants must secure an affiliation with a Mexican university and present a letter of acceptance prior to receiving the final grant offer.
* Applications to Mexican universities take time and special documentation is often required for international students. Special attention should be given to the application deadlines and the time needed for U.S. documentation (such as diploma and transcripts) to be translated and notarized (apostillado).
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
COMEXUS will provide up to 50,000 pesos per academic year to cover the costs of tuition and other relevant degree program expenses, as determined by the Commission, to all grantees regardless of the area of study. This amount will cover most public universities in Mexico, however, may not cover all tuition expenses for some private universities. The Commission will assist grantees in obtaining tuition waivers, when possible.
Applicants are encouraged to check actual and full tuition costs of the university and program to which they are applying. Private universities in particular can cost several thousand pesos per semester. If the annual tuition covered by the Fulbright award does not cover the full tuition of the academic year, it is the grantee´s responsibility to pay the balance.
Eligible grantees may also qualify for a CONACYT grant to cover the balance of tuition. More information is available here: https://www.conacyt.gob.mx/index.php/becas-y-posgrados.
Housing Arrangements
Neither COMEXUS nor the U.S. Embassy/consulate will assist in locating or helping secure housing for U.S. Fulbright grantees.
The Commission is not responsible for finding housing for grantees. The Commission may make suggestions and offer contacts and references from former grantees, but it is the grantee’s responsibility to find housing. Although some grants come with a modest relocation award, the Commission recommends having sufficient funds to cover move-in expenses. Having a few short-term options in mind following the Welcome Orientation is a good idea since it is not advisable to secure long-term housing before arrival. After several days or weeks, you will have a better idea of what you are looking for in your living situation and more importantly, the length of commute between your home and primary grant activity site.
Dependents
Visa Required
Candidates must have a Visa Authorization from a Mexican Consulate before entering the country on a Fulbright scholarship. For this reason, and due to Mexican immigration laws, candidates with current legal residency in Mexico will not be considered.
COMEXUS will assist in a preauthorization visa approval process for the grantees and their dependents prior to their arrival in Mexico. Within 30 days of arriving in Mexico, the grantees and their dependents must exchange their visa for a Tarjeta de Residente Temporal Estudiante.
Travel Advisories
Fulbright grantees must heed the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory to Mexico. Projects or affiliations located in areas where the advisory prohibits U.S. government personnel from traveling will NOT be considered. Locations with a "Reconsider Travel" advisory may be approved on an exceptional basis. Any exceptional permissions may be re-evaluated if conditions change significantly before or during the grant. For more information review the Mexico Travel Advisory.