The Colombia Government Scholarship 2026-27 in Colombia is one of the strongest fully funded postgraduate opportunities in Latin America for international students who want to pursue a specialization or master’s degree in Colombia through the Beca Colombia Program for Foreigners, administered by ICETEX. For the 2026-2 call, applications opened on 25 March 2026 and close at 5:00 p.m. Colombia time (GMT-5) on 5 June 2026, with results scheduled for 18 June 2026.
The Colombian Government Scholarship 2026-27 aims to strengthen ties between international students, local communities, universities, and partners.The Colombian Government Scholarship covers tuition fees, health insurance, visa costs, living expenses, and more. The scholarship covers a maximum of 24 months (4 academic semesters), while programs lasting 3 semesters are covered for up to 18 months, as outlined in the academic offer.
Basic Information about the Scholarships
- Scholarship name: Colombia Government Scholarship 2026-27 / Beca Colombia Program for Foreigners 2026-2.
- Host country: Colombia.
- Administering body: ICETEX.
- Host institutions: Colombian public and private higher education institutions listed in the 2026-2 Academic Offer Catalogue.
- Study level: Specialization and Master’s degree programmes; the official 2026-2 guidelines do not present PhD as part of this call.
- Study mode: Mainly in-person; some virtual options may exist, but virtual beneficiaries receive only tuition coverage.
- Programme language: Mainly Spanish.
- Programme start: Second semester of 2026.
- Scholarship duration:
- Spanish Language Courses: Up to six (6) months
- Specializations: Up to twelve (12) months
- Master’s Degrees: Generally up to twenty-four (24) months
- If a Master’s program has a curriculum of only three academic semesters, coverage is limited to eighteen (18) months.
- Number of scholarships: Up to 70 awards.
- Application opening date: 25 March 2026.
- Application deadline: 5 June 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (GMT-5).
- Results announcement: 18 June 2026.
- Acceptance window for selected candidates: 20–21 June 2026, 11:59 p.m. (GMT-5).
University/Institution Details
The scholarship is offered by ICETEX in coordination with Colombian public and private higher education institutions included in the official 2026-2 Academic Offer Catalogue. It is not limited to one university, which makes it attractive for students searching Colombia Government Scholarship 2026, ICETEX scholarship for international students, study in Colombia for free, and fully funded master’s scholarships in Latin America.
Host institutions are located in different cities across Colombia, and the scholarship even gives selection advantages to programmes based in smaller and intermediate cities rather than only Bogotá or Medellín. That is a useful strategic angle because programme location affects your ranking, not just your academic profile.
Study Areas
The scholarship supports various fields of knowledge according to the official 2026-2 Academic Offer Catalogue, rather than one narrow discipline list. Since the scholarship depends on the programmes included in that catalogue, applicants must match their academic background and professional experience to one of the approved postgraduate options.
- Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Arts and Humanities
- Natural Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
Please refer to this list.
Colombian Government Scholarship Benefits
- Tuition Fees: Full coverage by the host Colombian university
- Health insurance allowance / medical coverage support for the scholarship holder during studies in Colombia, subject to ICETEX budget availability.
- Courtesy Visa: Visa support for the scholarship period (recipient only)
- Monthly Stipend: Equivalent to three minimum Colombian legal monthly wages (updated annually)
- Foreigner ID allowance of COP 250,000 as a one-time payment to help cover the issuance of the Cédula de Extranjería.
- For some applicants from non-Spanish-speaking countries, possible Spanish language training before the postgraduate programme, provided they already hold final admission to an eligible programme.
Scholarship Renewal Requirements (Every Semester)
- Renewal request letter
- Updated academic transcript with a GPA of at least 4.0/5.0
- Experience report signed by academic tutor or director
- Enrollment certificate from the institution
Benefits Not Included
- Costs of inter-semester courses
- Required language courses
- International internships
Eligibilities for Colombian Government Scholarship
- Must be a foreign citizen and must not hold Colombian nationality, including dual nationality.
- Must be over 18 and under 50 years old at the closing date of the call.
- Must not be residing in Colombia and must not have resided there during the six months before the application.
- Must not have started studies in Colombia at the time of applying.
- Must not have previously benefited from the ICETEX Beca Colombia Program.
- Must not have a marital relationship or de facto union with a Colombian citizen at the time of application.
- Must hold a professional undergraduate degree or equivalent bachelor’s degree.
- Must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 4.0 out of 5.0, or an equivalent score under the Colombian scale.
- Must submit a medical certificate proving good physical and mental health.
- Must have final admission to at least one and up to three postgraduate programmes in the 2026-2 Academic Offer Catalogue.
- Must prove at least 12 months of professional experience, directly related to the selected academic programme.
Selection Criteria (Total 100 Points)
- Academic Excellence (30%)
- GPA 4.8 – 5.0: 30 points
- GPA 4.5 – 4.8: 20 points
- GPA 4.2 – 4.5: 10 points
- GPA 4.0 – 4.2: 5 points
- Professional Experience (30%)
- More than 5 years: 30 points
- 3–5 years: 20 points
- 1–3 years: 10 points
- 1 year: 5 points
- Location of Colombian Educational Institution (20%)
- Small cities (e.g., Bello, Valledupar): 20 points
- Intermediate cities (e.g., Cartagena, Pereira): 10 points
- Large cities (e.g., Bogotá, Cali): 5 points
- Reciprocity from Country of Origin (10%)
- Country offers scholarships to Colombians through ICETEX: 10 points
- No scholarships offered to Colombians: 0 points
Required Documents
- Definitive Admission Letter
- Must be from a Colombian higher education institution.
- Should specify start and end dates (program must begin in the second semester of 2025).
- 1 to 3 letters allowed.
- Copy of University Diploma or Degree
- Certified or notarized copy from the issuing institution.
- Must be a formal university degree (not short courses or workshops).
- Undergraduate/Bachelor’s Degree Transcript
- Must show GPA of at least 4.0/5.0 or equivalent.
- Must include grading scale and weighted average.
- Accepted in Spanish, English, French, or Portuguese. Other languages require official translation.
- Letter of Motivation and Prioritization
- Should explain why you want to study in Colombia and how it benefits your personal and professional development.
- Rank program choices if applying to multiple programs.
- Copy of Valid Passport
- Must be valid for at least one year.
- Include the page showing your personal information and photo.
- Health Certificate
- Issued within 30 days prior to application.
- Must include physical and mental health status, with doctor’s signature and stamp.
- Professional Experience Certificate
- Must demonstrate at least one year of experience post-degree.
- Should include job title, duration, duties, and contract details.
Important Note:
All documents must be uploaded as PDFs on the ICETEX platform. No documents submitted by other means or after the deadline will be accepted.
Colombian Government Scholarship Application Process
- Step 1: Review the official 2026-2 Academic Offer Catalogue and identify one to three eligible postgraduate programmes.
- Step 2: Apply directly to Colombian higher education institutions and secure a final admission letter before the scholarship deadline.
- Step 3: Gather all required documents, including diploma, transcript, passport, medical certificate, and proof of professional experience.
- Step 4: Prepare your motivation content carefully, since part of it must be filled in directly on the ICETEX platform.
- Step 5: Submit the scholarship application online through the official ICETEX Beca Colombia for Foreigners portal.
- Step 6: Upload all required PDF documents before 5:00 p.m. (GMT-5) on 5 June 2026.
- Step 7: Wait for evaluation between 6 June and 17 June 2026 and check results on 18 June 2026.
- Step 8: If selected, formally accept the scholarship within two calendar days and complete the visa and migration steps.
This process rewards early movers. Anyone who waits until June to start university admissions is already late.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Get university admission first; without a final admission letter, you are not competitive because you are not eligible.
- Choose programmes strategically. The scholarship awards more points to some small and intermediate cities than to large cities like Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla.
- Make sure your work experience is directly related to the programme you choose.
- Do not ignore the transcript format. It must clearly show the grading system and GPA scale.
- Prepare enough savings for the first three months, because the living allowance is paid later, not upfront.
- If you are from a non-Spanish-speaking country, think seriously about whether you need the Spanish-course route before your postgraduate studies.
- Submit early, because the date of final submission is one of the tie-break criteria.
- Target academic fit over prestige alone; this scholarship uses a weighted scorecard, not only brand names.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students (USD)
The ICETEX guidelines explicitly warn that scholarship holders should have enough funding for at least the first three months of living expenses, estimating roughly USD 700 per month because the allowance is paid quarterly in arrears. A practical budgeting range for international students in Colombia is:
- Accommodation: USD 250 to USD 500.
- Food and groceries: USD 150 to USD 280.
- Local transportation: USD 30 to USD 80.
- Utilities and internet: USD 40 to USD 90.
- Books and study materials: USD 20 to USD 60.
- Personal expenses: USD 80 to USD 180.
- Estimated monthly total: around USD 570 to USD 1,190, with many students able to live near the lower-middle range outside the most expensive neighborhoods.
The high-leverage insight is simple: even with a government scholarship, your cash-flow risk is highest at the start.
Why Choose This Scholarship?
- It offers full tuition coverage for eligible postgraduate programmes in Colombia.
- It includes a monthly living allowance rather than only a tuition waiver.
- It supports study across multiple Colombian institutions and cities, not just one campus.
- It provides visa facilitation and a Foreigner ID allowance, which many scholarships ignore.
- It is one of the few major government scholarships in Latin America designed specifically for international students.
- It can include a Spanish-course pathway for non-Spanish-speaking applicants who already have programme admission.
- It creates a strong entry point for students who want academic and professional exposure in Latin America.
Frequently Asked Questions about the scholarship
Is the Colombia Government Scholarship 2026-27 fully funded?
For in-person scholars, it is effectively a strong government-funded package covering full tuition, a living allowance, visa support, health insurance support, and a Foreigner ID allowance.
Who offers this scholarship?
The programme is administered by ICETEX in coordination with Colombian higher education institutions.
What levels of study are available?
The official 2026-2 call covers specialization and master’s degree programmes, not a general PhD-wide call.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 5 June 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Colombia time (GMT-5).
Do I need admission before applying?
Yes. You must have final admission to at least one and up to three postgraduate programmes in the official academic offer catalogue.
Is work experience required?
Yes. You need at least 12 months of professional experience directly related to your chosen programme.
Can I apply if I already live in Colombia?
No. The applicant must not be residing in Colombia and must not have resided there during the six months before the application.
When are results published?
Results are scheduled for 18 June 2026 on the ICETEX website.
Application Deadline
- Closing date: 5 June 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (GMT-5).
Official Link
University of Birmingham Scholarships 2026 in United Kingdom
