CAPES PDSE funds a research period abroad for eligible doctoral students enrolled in Brazil. For the verified 2027 departure round, institutions select candidates by October 16, 2026; selected candidates then apply to CAPES from October 20 to November 18, 2026, ending at 17:00 Brasília time. Your university can set an earlier internal deadline.
Official sources checked: October 3, 2027. Independent guide by Excelsior Scholarships; applications go to the official sponsor.
PDSE dates: two application stages
| Institutional selection completed | By October 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Candidate application to CAPES | October 20–November 18, 2026, 17:00 Brasília |
| Institutional homologation | December 1–17, 2026 |
| Planned research start abroad | September or October 2027 |
The official PDSE page publishes this calendar. Ask your graduate office for its internal notice immediately. The national deadline does not allow an applicant to bypass institutional selection, available quotas or homologation.
What the doctoral scholarship covers
CAPES lists a monthly allowance, travel support, an installation allowance, health-insurance support and a location allowance when applicable. The program page describes a research period of four to nine months. Consult the current call for the exact terms applicable to your proposed stay.
Write the intended arrival and departure dates beside your thesis schedule. An overseas visit should advance work that can be brought back into the Brazilian doctorate. Identify what the host offers that you need: a method, facility, collection, dataset or specialist supervision. That explanation also helps you decide whether the proposed length is practical.
Confirm eligibility with your graduate program
The PDSE selection notice defines candidate and institutional conditions. Verify your enrollment, academic progress, language evidence and required approvals with the program. Do not assume another student’s successful application proves that your degree stage meets the current call.
Also ask about existing funding. A domestic award, employment or another overseas grant can create questions that must be resolved under the applicable rules. Present the actual arrangement to your graduate office rather than relying on a general statement about whether scholarship holders may work.
Find a host and agree on the research plan
Contact a potential host with a concise description of your doctoral question, the work already completed and the specific contribution an overseas period could make. Include your intended dates and ask whether supervision and the necessary resources would be available. A focused request is easier to assess than a broad request for any funded position.
Once the host is interested, compare your research plan with your Brazilian supervisor. Break the visit into achievable tasks and identify the output expected at each stage. Leave room for training, access arrangements and work that depends on other people. Ask which institutional letter format the current call requires before collecting signatures.
Organize the application documents
- Read your university’s internal PDSE call.
- Agree on the project and dates with both supervisors.
- Collect academic, host and language documents in the required format.
- Complete internal selection before the national application stage.
- If selected, submit to CAPES and follow institutional homologation.
Use a document tracker with columns for the issuing person, required format and expected delivery date. Host letters and language evidence often depend on someone else’s timetable. Check that names, institution details and research dates agree across the files. A readable, consistent submission is easier to review than several conflicting versions.
Prepare for the stay and return
Keep visa, travel and enrollment planning aligned with the official award process. Ask when payments are implemented and which arrival documents are needed. On return, allow time to incorporate the overseas work into your thesis and complete required reports. For wider comparison, use our Brazilian scholarship routes, document checklist and PDAI graduate funding guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply directly to CAPES without university selection?
No. The verified process requires institutional selection and subsequent homologation.
Is PDSE a complete doctorate overseas?
No. It supports a research period abroad within a doctorate pursued in Brazil.
Which deadline should I follow first?
Your university’s internal deadline. It can precede the October–November CAPES window.
When does this research round start?
The published national timetable lists September or October 2027 for the overseas activities, subject to the selection and award process.