The forthcoming call will select two UFERSA faculty members for ten-month academic and research stays at international host institutions beginning in March 2027.
The Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region (UFERSA) will launch an internal call for applications for the Visiting Professor Abroad Programme, funded by the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES) under the CAPES Global.edu Programme and the INTEGRA Brasil Network.
The initiative aims to strengthen international academic cooperation, foster joint research, expand scientific networks and promote the internationalisation of the graduate programmes participating in the Network.
Opportunities available
The call will offer two scholarships:
- one Junior Visiting Professor Abroad scholarship, for faculty members who obtained their doctoral degree up to ten years before the application date; and
- one Senior Visiting Professor Abroad scholarship, for faculty members who obtained their doctoral degree more than ten years before the application date.
Each scholarship will support a ten-month stay abroad, with activities expected to begin on 1 March 2027.
The scholarships are intended exclusively for permanent UFERSA faculty members affiliated with one of the following graduate programmes:
- Graduate Programme in Business Administration;
- Graduate Programme in Computer Science, jointly offered by UERN and UFERSA; and
- Graduate Programme in Electrical Engineering.
In the case of the joint Graduate Programme in Computer Science, the applicant must be a UFERSA faculty member or a faculty member formally linked to UFERSA under the terms established in the call.
Role of international host institutions
Universities and research institutions outside Brazil may participate as host institutions for the selected UFERSA professors. The proposed activities may include:
- development of joint research projects;
- preparation of co-authored scientific publications;
- participation in research groups, laboratories and academic activities;
- co-supervision of graduate students;
- development of joint courses, seminars or workshops;
- preparation of future institutional cooperation agreements; and
- development of joint proposals for international research funding.
Applicants will be required to submit a formal letter of acceptance or invitation from the prospective host institution. The letter must confirm the host’s willingness to receive the UFERSA professor, identify the proposed academic supervisor or collaborating researcher, and indicate the planned ten-month period of activities.
International institutions interested in hosting a UFERSA professor are therefore encouraged to contact researchers from the participating graduate programmes and discuss potential cooperation plans in advance.
Scholarship support
Subject to CAPES regulations, the scholarship may include:
- a monthly allowance;
- travel allowance;
- settling-in allowance;
- health insurance allowance; and
- an additional location allowance, where applicable.
Scholarship implementation, financial management and payments will be carried out directly by CAPES. Selection by UFERSA will constitute an institutional nomination and will remain subject to final approval by CAPES, availability of funds and completion of all applicable administrative requirements.
Selection principles
Applications will be assessed according to criteria such as:
- academic and scientific merit;
- relevance and feasibility of the proposed work plan;
- alignment with the objectives of the INTEGRA Brasil Network;
- expected contribution to the internationalisation of UFERSA’s graduate programmes;
- quality and potential continuity of the proposed international partnership; and
- expected academic, scientific, technological and institutional outcomes.
The selected professors will be expected to disseminate the knowledge and results generated during the mobility period and to contribute to the consolidation of long-term cooperation between UFERSA, the host institution and the INTEGRA Brasil Network.
Important clarification
This initiative is an outbound mobility opportunity for UFERSA faculty members. It is not a call for international professors to apply for positions or scholarships in Brazil. Foreign institutions participate as prospective academic and research hosts.
The complete eligibility requirements, application procedures, assessment criteria and official timetable will be provided in the UFERSA call for applications. In the event of any discrepancy, the official Portuguese-language call and the applicable CAPES regulations will prevail.