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2025 Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme: Main results Overview

30 September 2025

The 25th edition of the Coimbra Group (CG) Scholarship Programme for young professors and researchers from Africa, the European Neighbourhood, and Latin America marked a year of consolidation and strategic growth, despite a notable decline in application numbers – except from the countries in the European Neighbourhood where numbers increased.

A total of 440 applications were received, of which 368 were eligible, representing a 38% and 34% decrease, respectively, compared to 2024. This contraction, however, resulted in a higher selection rate of 20.6%. This selection rate remains highly competitive, reflecting the programme’s sustained prestige and relevance.

Encouragingly, the number of CG universities participating as host institutions increased to 21 (+10%), illustrating the network’s growing commitment to international academic collaboration. CG warmly thanks these universities for their continued support, which not only sustains the programme but also enhances the network’s global visibility, particularly in the three target regions.

In 2025, participating universities collectively made 80 scholarships available. Despite lower application numbers, the quality and diversity of submissions remained strong, with candidates representing 51 nationalities. Gender and disciplinary patterns differ significantly by region: Latin America is balanced, Sub-Saharan Africa is male-dominated, and the European Neighbourhood shows strong female participation.

Following the selection process, 76 scholarships were awarded for short-term research stays at participating institutions during the 2025–2026 academic year. The programme’s high selectivity sustains its status as a highly competitive international scheme.

The impact of the scholarship programme is consistently evidenced by alumni testimonials, which highlight the career benefits, the strong academic ties formed with European host institutions, and deep appreciation for the opportunities provided. Host universities similarly note the benefits of welcoming international visiting scholars, often extending further opportunities to exceptional candidates beyond their initial offers.

The forthcoming call for applicants will open in February 2026.

Download here the full report for detailed insights into the three regions.

About the Programme

Since 1999, the Coimbra Group has offered young researchers from outside the EU the opportunity to conduct part of their research at a CG host university for a period of one to three months.

Originally inspired by the Oxford Colleges Hospitality Scheme for Polish Scholars, this CG programme was designed to support scholars from disadvantaged areas in Central and Eastern Europe. Over time, it has developed into a consolidated initiative covering three regional strands:

The programme’s longevity and adaptability are testament to its sustained value and the commitment of CG member universities. It remains one of the network’s most successful initiatives, supported by strong engagement from member universities, steady applicants’ interest of, and consistently high quality submissions.