The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Organization of American States(OAS) entered a strategic alliance to strengthen health systems, advance the regional Policy on Research for Health for the Americas, and to support the subsequent Strategy on Human Resources for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage. This alliance involves a commitment of both institutions to place education as one of the determinants of health and to strengthen technical and research skills among human resources for health. The scholarship programs are in collaboration with the OAS and its partners the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities (GCUB) and CONACYT-AMEXCID in Mexico.
Be better equipped to be an agent of change! Professionals interested in obtaining a graduate health degree in Brazil or Mexico should follow PAHO's Research Newsletter, http://www.oas.org/en/scholarships/, Twitter @PAHOResearch, or @OASscholarships as opportunities arise for Scholarships.
OAS-GCUB-PAHO Scholarships for graduate studies in Brazil:
As part of the Partnerships Program for Education and Training (PAEC) OAS-GCUB Scholarships and with the support of PAHO, scholarships for health studies are being offered for master's and PhD degrees in Brazil.
The aim of this scholarships program is to train professionals and foster a connection between health research and public health in the Americas. The scholarship program is a result of an agreement signed in 2014 between OAS, PAHO and the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities (GCUB). By December 2017, Brazil had offered scholarships in 38 doctorate programs and 70 Master's degrees. The OAS-GCUB-PAHO Scholarships are aligned with policies approved by PAHO Member States such as the Policy on Research for Health (CD49/10, 2009) and the Strategy on Human Resources for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage (CSP29/10, 2017).
The list of master's and PhD programs available at Brazilian universities can be accessed here. Scholarships in other areas than health are being offered as well.
The scholarships cover the costs of tuition, a monthly stipend and a one-time contribution for settlement expenses.
Applicants for the health scholarships must have a bachelor's degree. For some of the PhD programs offered, a master's degree may be required as well, as informed by each university in the list of available programs aforementioned. To apply, the candidate must be a citizen or a permanent resident of any of the OAS Member States (excluding Brazil). The command of Portuguese or English languages is not a requirement to apply to the programs.
For general information about the scholarships in Brazil, please click.
Find the PAHO's press release here.
The partners in this program:
PAHO, founded in 1902, is the longest serving international public health organization in the world and it works with its member states to improve the health and the quality of life of the people of the Americas. PAHO is part of the United Nations Systemand serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of World Health Organization. Like the OAS, PAHO is part of the inter-American system.
The OAS, through its Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE), supports OAS Member States in creating policies and executing programs that promote human development at all educational levels.
The GCUB, established in 2008, is an association of 82 national Brazilian universities. Its mission is to promote inter-institutional and international integration through faculty and student mobility programs, thereby contributing to the internationalization process of this national university network and of its foreign counterparts.
OAS-PAHO Scholarships for graduate studies in Mexico:
The OAS - PAHO collaboration, in conjunction with CONACYT-AMEXCID, offers scholarships for health graduate studies (master's, doctorates and specializations) in Mexico. The program benefits citizens of OAS Member States to pursue graduate studies in universities accredited by CONACYT in Mexico.
CONACYT - OAS - AMEXCID and PAHO meet twice yearly to evaluate hundreds of applications and coordinate to publish the announcements with the results.
Find a photo gallery of the first call at FLICKR/OAS DHDE.
For general information about the scholarships in Mexico, please click.
By December 2017 the OAS -PAHO - AMEXCID-CONACYT program had offered graduate studies in 91 different programs, including programs in English: 37 doctorate programs, 124 Master's; and 15 specialization programs.
Milestones of the collaboration:
2018. As a result of a collaboration between the EQUATOR Network and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization a useful resources is launched that has the potential to benefit scholarship students. Reporting guidelines: simple and powerful tools to increase the impact and visibility of your research: a virtual course on enhancing the value of research with research reporting standards.
2017. PAHO Participates in the IX Internationalization Seminar for Grupo Coimbra of Brazilian Universities in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. This year PAHO also joined in the selection committees for Brazil, and the two selection committees held with Amexcid-Conacyt. In 2017 a total of 175 health scholarships were offered.
2016. Within the framework of this collaboration, 4th Seminar on Internationalization of Universities: Universities as agents of change: Innovation and Socio-Economic Growth, was held in Washington DC from March 14 to 16, 2016. This collaboration was organized by the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities, the Organization of American States, and the Pan American Health Organization. Links of the seminar agenda, including opening remarks and videos of the events, can be found below. In 2016 a total of 195 health scholarships were allocated.
2015. GCUB signed an agreement with PAHO to promote the Policy on Research for Health, which their scholars and universities benefit from the best standards for the production and use of impactful research for health. This agreement is part of the strategy to advance the Research for Health Policy (CD49/10), to improve competencies of and support for human resources involved in research. PAHO presents proposals at the 3rd Internationalization of Universities Seminar (2015). A second call for applications took place this year allocating 191 scholarships for health postgraduate studies in Brazil and Mexico, benefiting 22 member states.
Research Quick Links
National Agendas of Research Priorities
Latin American Conferences on Research and Innovation for Health
Joint Events

pdf 4th University Internationalization Seminar (4.53 MB)
pdf PAHO Directors Opening Remarks OAS-PAHO-GCUB (192.42 kB)Interns
Questions? Get an insider's point of view by contacting our interns
Contact
PAHO-HQ, Dr. Luis Gabriel Cuervo, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In PAHO/WHO Country Representations