In 2026, Paraguay has greatly increased its academic funding options, making it a key centre for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) and Public Administration. The government’s main scholarship program, BECAL, and international partnerships like Itaipu Binacional provide some of the best funding in South America for researchers both inside and outside the country.
As of April 12, 2026, many of the main application windows for the Fall 2026 intake are in their last few weeks, and there are important deadlines coming up in early May.
1. Scholarships from BECAL (Carlos Antonio López)
BECAL is the most prestigious national scholarship program. Its goal is to improve the country’s human capital. More than 240 international scholarships are now available for the 2026 cycle.
- • The deadline is now May 5, 2026, at 15:00 local time.
- • The Chances:
- International Graduate Study: Money for Master’s and PhD programmes at the best universities in the world (QS, Times Higher Education).
- • Postdoctoral Research: Grants for short-term stays (3–24 months) in fields related to STI.
- • Undergraduate Mobility: Help for current college students to study abroad for a semester.
- Focus for 2026: Design, Architecture, and Medical Sciences are very important. There are also 36 master’s scholarships available through the program for tenured civil servants who want to modernise the public sector.
- • Funding Limits: Grants for professionals in the private sector can be as high as $5,600, while grants for professionals in the public sector can be as substantial as $8,000.
2. Itaipu Binacional—National Scholarship Programme
This program, which is run in partnership with the government, is the main source of support for undergraduates in Paraguay, especially at the Universidad Nacional de Asunción (UNA).
- Status: The Evaluation Phase of the 2026 selection process for freshmen is now underway. The deadline in January saw over 9,000 applicants.
- The most popular fields are medicine, computer engineering, and architecture.
- Benefit: Pays for full tuition and gives students from low-income backgrounds who do well in school a living allowance.
- Requirement: To stay eligible for renewal, applicants must keep a 3.0 GPA on a 5.0 scale.
3. Fellowships for Language and International Studies
Paraguay gives out special grants for language development and regional research, usually through the OAS (Organization of American States) or DAAD (Germany).
- BECAL Language Scholarships:
- Due date: May 5, 2026.
- The chance: 30 scholarships for college students to study English, French, German, or Portuguese at approved local schools.
- • Coverage: Up to $700 a year to pay for classes.
- OAS Scholarships for College:
- Status: Applications for the 2026 cycle usually close in March, but information about the 2027 cycle usually comes out in late 2026.
- The Benefit: Gives up to $15,000 a year for graduate research or study in any OAS member state, except for the student’s home country.
4. The “Paraguay Signal” Plan for 2026
To get a scholarship in Paraguay this cycle, you need to go through the updated SPI (Sistema de Postulación de Instrumentos) run by CONACYT.
- The “National Development” Narrative: Reviewers are looking for the “Frascati Manual” alignment in 2026. To raise your priority score, make sure your study plan fits within the fields of Natural Sciences, Engineering, or Agricultural Sciences.
- Identity Sync (NIN): Make sure that the name on all of your certificates is exactly the same as the name on your National Identity Card (Cédula) or Passport. The 2026 digital portals use automated verification to quickly find mistakes in names or ID numbers.
- High-Res 300dpi Documentation: All documents, like diplomas and transcripts, must be uploaded as high-resolution scans. The BECAL portal uses AI-vetting in 2026, and it often automatically rejects low-quality phone photos.
- Work Experience: For the 2026 call, you must have at least two years of relevant work experience to be eligible for professional scholarships.
5. List of Things to Do Right Away
- [ ] BECAL Portal: If you are a professional or PhD candidate, you must finish your application on the SPI platform by May 5.
- • Language Certification: If you want to move to another country, make sure your B2-level language certificates are notarised and uploaded.
- Nostrification: If you studied abroad and are returning to Paraguay for research, ensure that the Ministry of Education (MEC) recognises your degrees to meet the 2026 vetting standards.
Conclusion: Driving Innovation in the Middle of South America
Paraguay is putting a lot of money into its young people and professionals in 2026. You can get a top-notch education with a lot of financial help if you get a BECAL grant or an Itaipu scholarship. Strategic Alignment is the key to success in this cycle. This means making sure that your National Identity (NIN) is correct and that your chosen field of study helps the country reach its long-term goals in STI and infrastructure.
