The Government of Colombia is offering fully funded scholarship opportunities for outstanding international candidates, including Bangladeshi citizens, to pursue postgraduate studies, research, and academic training programmes at accredited public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Colombia.

The primary objective of this initiative is to strengthen international academic cooperation, promote cultural and educational exchange, and foster global social networks among participating nations.

Coverage

The official “Education Call for Citizens Foreigners 2026-2” campaign explicitly outlines the financial commitments covered under this reciprocity scheme. To answer the prompt’s central graphic inquiry, “Which expenses does the program cover?”, the financial package is broken down into the following provisions:

• Tuition Fees: 100% full tuition fee waiver granted directly by the participating Colombian Higher Education Institutions (applicable to programmes listed in the 2026-2 Academic Offer Catalogue).
• Monthly Living Allowance: A stipend equivalent to two (2) Colombian legal minimum monthly wages (SMLMV) disbursed quarterly in arrears. This is strictly applicable to scholars physically present in Colombia pursuing in-person programmes.
• Health Insurance Support: Financial allowance for medical and hospital assistance within Colombia during the study period (excludes family members).
• Foreigner ID Allowance: A one-time financial grant of COP $250,000 to cover the processing fees of the Foreigner Identification Card (Cédula de Extranjería).
• Visa Assistance: Provision of an official support letter to secure the Courtesy Visa (Type “V”) at no cost from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

Important Note on Program Modality: For international students enrolled in virtual programmes from their home country, the scholarship covers only the tuition fee exemption. All monthly stipends, health insurance, and administrative allowances require physical presence in Colombia.

Academic Programmes and Duration

The reciprocity framework allows foreign scholars to gain access to the following academic streams:

Programme Type	Maximum Funded Duration
Spanish Language Courses	Up to 6 months (1 academic semester)
Specialisation Programmes	Up to 12 months (2 academic semesters)
Master’s Degrees	Up to 24 months (4 academic semesters)

Note: Non-Spanish-speaking applicants wishing to pursue a master’s degree can opt for the “Spanish Language + Postgraduate Studies” track to complete language immersion before beginning their core studies.

Eligibility Criteria

To maintain geographical diversity and academic excellence, a maximum of 5 scholarships may be awarded per country of origin out of the up to 70 global slots available. Bangladeshi candidates must satisfy the following criteria:

1. Nationality: Must be a foreign citizen (holders of dual Colombian nationality are ineligible).
2. Age Demographics: Applicants must be over 18 and under 50 years of age at the time of the application deadline.
3. Residency: Must not currently reside in Colombia, nor have resided there during the six months preceding the application.
4. Academic Qualifications: Must possess a professional undergraduate/bachelor’s degree in any field.
5. Grade Point Average (GPA): A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA equivalent to 4.0 out of 5.0 on the Colombian grading scale is mandatory.
6. Professional Experience: Must possess at least 12 months of professional experience directly related to the chosen field of study, acquired after university graduation.
7. Prior Admission: Applicants must independently secure a definitive admission letter to between one and three postgraduate programmes featured in the official 2026-2 Academic Offer Catalogue.
8. Health Status: Must certify good physical and mental health via a registered medical practitioner.

Application Procedure and Documentation

Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated ICETEX online scholarship portal. Hard copies will not be entertained by the Higher Education Commission.

Required Dossier (PDF Format)

• Definitive Admission Letter(s) from the selected Colombian university.
• Certified or notarised copies of the undergraduate degree diploma.
• Official academic transcripts explicitly showing the grading scale and cumulative weighted average.
• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• An academic essay outlining the motivation and significance of the studies in Colombia.
• Two formal letters of academic or professional recommendation.
• A certified medical certificate issued within 30 days of application.
• A valid passport copy (valid for at least 1 year from the closing date).

Crucial Timeline and Deadlines

Interested Bangladeshi candidates must closely observe the strict schedule prescribed by the Colombian authorities:

• Application Deadline: 5 June 2026 (at 17:00 Colombia Time / GMT-5)
• Evaluation and Selection Period: 6 June – 17 June 2026
• Official Results Announcement: 18 June 2026
• Commencement of Semesters: Second Semester of 2026 (as per individual university calendars)

Interested candidates are urged to fast-track their university admission process immediately to meet the ICETEX portal deadline. Detailed catalogs, institutional lists, and portal entry links can be accessed via the official website of the Government of Colombia or through the internationalisation desk of ICETEX.