BECAL (Don Carlos Antonio López National Scholarship Programme) is a monumental initiative by the Paraguayan government to rapidly modernize the country's workforce. It is strictly a mobility program: it pays for Paraguayan citizens to pursue advanced degrees at the top universities in the world.
Quick Overview
Full Requirements & Details
Academic Requirements
- Min. CGPA
- No Minimum Requirement
- Offer Degrees
- Masters, PhD
- Subjects
- Arts, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Physics
- Seats Available
- Hundreds annually
- Study Gap Allowed
- No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
- Research Publication
- Optional
- Work Experience
- Optional
- Age Range
- No Age Limit
Language Requirements
- IELTS
- Optional
- TOEFL
- Optional
- GRE
- Not Required
- Local Language
- Varies
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- Varies by host country
Financial Details
- Type
- Full
- Fund Details
- Tuition up to specific caps + high monthly stipend (e.g., ~1,300 EUR/USD) + flights
- Monthly Stipend
- USD 0/mo
- Tuition
- Full
- Living Costs
- Full
- Travel & Health
- Yes / None
- Application Fee
- Free (No Application Fee)
- Spouse Allowed
- Optional
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
If you are a Paraguayan professional, BECAL is the golden ticket. The financial coverage is exceptional. Depending on the bilateral agreement (e.g., with the DAAD in Germany, Chevening in the UK, or CALDO in Canada), the program covers massive international tuition fees, provides a robust monthly living stipend in hard currency (often over 1,300 USD/EUR), and handles your flights and health insurance.
It specifically targets educators, public sector employees, and STEM innovators. For international students, note carefully: BECAL will NOT fund you to study in Paraguay. You must seek bilateral agreements from your home country to study in Asunción.
Application Process
You must secure admission to a foreign university first. However, BECAL is extremely strict about university rankings. Your target university must be ranked within the Top 300 globally (or top 100 in your specific subject) according to QS, Times Higher Education, or ARWU rankings.
Once you have the admission letter, you apply through the official BECAL portal (SPI). You must submit a comprehensive essay detailing how your degree will directly improve a specific sector of the Paraguayan economy.
How to Win This Scholarship
Do not waste time applying to unranked universities; the system will automatically reject you. Your strategy should be twofold: target universities in countries where BECAL has existing agency agreements (like Campus France or Fulbright), as these pipelines are heavily favored. Secondly, your 'Return Plan' is the most scrutinized document in your file.
You must explicitly state which government ministry, university, or industry sector in Paraguay you will integrate into upon return. Teachers and public servants have specific quotas and lower barriers to entry compared to private-sector applicants.
Benefits After Completing Study
You are legally mandated to return to Paraguay and reside there for up to 5 years (depending on the duration of your studies abroad) to 'pay back' the investment through your professional labor. Returning scholars are highly respected and often fast-tracked into government policy roles or university leadership.
Incomplete documentation is the number one reason for rejection—every transcript must be apostilled and perfectly translated. If you fail your degree abroad, or refuse to return to Paraguay, you face severe legal penalties and must financially reimburse the Paraguayan government for the entire cost of the scholarship. Ensure you genuinely want to return to Paraguay before accepting the funds.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source