ICETEX (COLOMBIAN INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL CREDIT AND TECHNICAL STUDIES ABROAD)
Colombia Government Scholarship for Foreigners (ICETEX)
full · masters, phd
- Up to 48 monthsMaximum doctoral duration funded
- 6 monthsSpanish-language course included
- Age 50Maximum applicant age
- 4.0 / 5.0Minimum undergraduate average required
- ~EUR 500/mo (est.)Estimated monthly living stipend
- Courtesy visaProvided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
At a glance
full
Funding
€15k
Max amount
Apr 30, 2027
Deadline
International students (all nationalities except Colombian)
Country
ICETEX (Colombian Institute for Educational Credit and Technical Studies Abroad)
Provider
The Colombia Government Scholarship for Foreigners is a fully funded programme administered by ICETEX, the Colombian government's higher-education credit institution, for international students who want to pursue postgraduate study in Colombia. It supports specialization (up to 18 months), master's (up to 24 months) and doctoral (up to 48 months) programmes, and includes a Spanish-language course of up to 6 months for non-Spanish-speaking applicants. The award covers tuition, health insurance, a monthly living stipend, a courtesy visa from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a books-and-materials allowance, installation expenses and a one-time unforeseen-costs allowance. It is open to applicants of any nationality except Colombians, who must be under 50, hold an undergraduate degree with a cumulative average of at least 4.0 out of 5.0, and not have been previous ICETEX beneficiaries; IELTS is not required. Stipend and allowance amounts shown here are estimates because ICETEX sets them per cycle, so confirm the exact current-cycle figures and deadline on the official ICETEX page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — Full coverage of tuition fees for the graduate programme at the Colombian host university.
- Monthly living stipend — A monthly stipend toward living expenses, estimated at roughly ~EUR 500 (est.) per month, set in Colombian pesos by ICETEX.
- Health insurance — A health policy or medical insurance for the duration of the scholarship.
- Courtesy visa — A courtesy visa issued by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, plus a books-and-materials allowance.
- Installation and contingency support — Installation expenses on arrival and a one-time allowance for unforeseen costs, with total support estimated at over ~EUR 15,000 (est.) across the programme.
How to apply
Applicants typically secure pre-admission to a Colombian university and then apply through the ICETEX international scholarships portal.
- Obtain pre-admission — Secure a letter of pre-admission or final admission from a Colombian university for your chosen programme.
- Prepare your documents — Compile your CV, transcripts, recommendation letter, notarized degrees, passport copy and a two-page academic essay.
- Choose your preferences — Select up to three course preferences across eligible programmes.
- Apply via the ICETEX portal — Complete the international scholarship application on the official ICETEX portal during the open call.
- Submit and await selection — Submit before the deadline and await the selection outcome; recipients later provide a Certificate of Migratory Movements.
Eligibility
NationalityAny nationality except Colombian.
ResidencyMust not have resided in Colombia in the 6 months before applying, and no marital relationship in Colombia.
AgeMaximum age of 50 years.
Academic recordUndergraduate or professional degree with a cumulative average of at least 4.0 out of 5.0.
Previous awardsMust not be a previous beneficiary of ICETEX scholarships.
IELTS is not mandatory. Applicants may list up to three course preferences, and selected recipients must later provide a Certificate of Migratory Movements.
Eligible countries
International students (all nationalities except Colombian)
Deadlines
2026 cycle~30 April 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are scored against weighted criteria: coherence between the applicant's academic and professional career and the proposed studies (30%), academic excellence (30%), and professional experience and other factors that make up the remaining weighting. The strongest candidates across these dimensions are selected by ICETEX in line with available places.
Verified sources
- ICETEX international scholarships - official pageweb.icetex.gov.coofficial
About the provider
ICETEX is the Colombian government institute responsible for educational credit and for managing scholarships funded by the Colombian government, foreign governments and international organisations, supporting both Colombian and international students across many fields and study levels.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who administers this scholarship?
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It is administered by ICETEX, the Colombian government institution responsible for higher-education credit and international scholarships.
What levels of study are covered?
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It covers specialization (up to 18 months), master's (up to 24 months) and doctoral (up to 48 months) programmes, plus a Spanish course of up to 6 months.
Can Colombians apply?
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No. The scholarship is only for non-Colombian nationals; Colombian citizens are not eligible.
Is there an age limit?
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Yes. The maximum age for applicants is 50 years old.
What grades do I need?
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You need an undergraduate or professional degree with a cumulative average of at least 4.0 out of 5.0.
Is IELTS required?
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No. IELTS is not mandatory for this scholarship, and a Spanish-language course is included for non-Spanish speakers.
What does the scholarship cover?
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It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, health insurance, a courtesy visa, a books allowance, installation expenses and a one-time contingency allowance.
How much is the monthly stipend?
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It is estimated at around ~EUR 500 (est.) per month, set in Colombian pesos. Confirm the exact figure on the official ICETEX page.
Do I need a residency or marital condition?
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Yes. You must not have resided in Colombia in the 6 months before applying and must have no marital relationship in Colombia.
Can I choose more than one course?
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Yes. Applicants may indicate up to three different course preferences.
How do I apply?
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You secure pre-admission to a Colombian university and apply through the official ICETEX international scholarships portal.
When is the deadline?
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The deadline is around 30 April 2026 (est.). Always confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official ICETEX page.