CALDO Consortium Agreements

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Agreements with Latin American Graduate Studies Funding Agencies

McMaster University is part of CALDO, a consortium of leading Canadian universities that facilitates partnership and collaboration opportunities in Latin American countries with educational institutions, consortia, funding and governmental agencies. Countries with notable engagement include: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

Below is a list of available graduate-level funding opportunities through CALDO partnerships for students from participating countries who are interested in pursuing Master’s or PhD studies at McMaster University. This page summarizes McMaster’s role in these agreements, including funding and tuition arrangements, language supports, or other benefits that may be available through McMaster.

Students are encouraged to review the linked program pages for full details about external funding agency requirements, application processes, deadlines, and conditions.

Current Graduate-level Funding Agenda Agreements with CALDO

ANID (AGENCIA NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y DESARROLLO)

Type of program: National-level scholarship program.
Education level: Research-based Master’s, professional Master’s and PhD programs.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Program
    · Paid teaching or research assistant positions may be available to offset tuition and additional costs.
  • Professional Master’s Programs
    · Open number of CAD$5000 entrance awards for Masters in Engineering in the W Booth School of Engineering Practice, including: MEPP, M.Eng Design, MEEI, MEME, M&ST programs (equivalent to 10% of tuition fee)
    · Open number of entrance awards for 10-15% of tuition fee for the MBA Program (including specializations in Business Analytics, Finance, Health Services Management, Strategic Marketing, Strategic Business Valuation, with Co-op option), and the MMAIA Program
    · 1 entrance award for 10% of tuition fee for Masters in Finance (MFIN)
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rate for PhD programs.
    · Other supplementary fees not covered by ANID may be offset if the student is eligible to secure additional funding from their faculty or research supervisor.

Funder Requirements:

  • Chilean citizenship.
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of four (4) years for doctoral programs and two (2) years for master’s programs.

View ANID’s full program details

COLFUTURO (LA FUNDACIÓN PARA EL FUTURO DE COLOMBIA)

Type of program: National-level joint graduate loan-scholarship program.
Education level: Research-based Master’s and PhD programs.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Programs
    · Paid teaching or research assistant positions may be available to offset tuition and additional costs.
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rate for PhD programs.
    · Participation in the MODEL program (English Language training program).
    · 20% tuition discount on the MERGE program (Intensive summer English program).

Funder Benefits:

  • Up to USD $ 50,000 for up to two years to cover tuition, travel expenses, and living costs.
  • The loan turns into a partial scholarship when the student returns to Colombia and resides in the country for a pre-established period.

Funder Requirements:

  • Colombian citizenship.
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • To receive the benefits of the program, the requested amount must be at least 75% of the total program tuition and living costs.
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of four (4) years for doctoral programs and two (2) years for master’s programs.

View full program details

CONAPE (COMISIÓN NACIONAL DE PRÉSTAMOS PARA EDUCACIÓN)

Type of program: National-level graduate loan program.
Education level: Research-based Master’s and PhD programs across all disciplines.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Programs
    · Paid teaching or research assistant positions may be available to offset tuition and additional costs.
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rates.
    · Additional financial support may be provided at the discretion of the faculty, department, or teaching staff.
    · Paid teaching or research assistant positions may be available to offset tuition and additional costs.

Funder Requirements:

  • Costa Rican citizenship
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • To receive the benefits of the program, the requested amount must be at least 75% of the total program tuition and living costs.
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of four (4) years for doctoral programs and two (2) years for master’s programs.

View full program details

UNIVERSIDAD DE COSTA RICA (UCR)

Type of program: Institutional-level graduate loan program.
Education level: Research-based Master’s and PhD programs across all disciplines.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Programs
    · Students may be eligible to secure additional funding from the faculty or research supervisor to offset the balance of international tuition fees not covered by UCR.
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rates for PhD programs.
  • Additional McMaster Benefits
    · Participation in the MODEL program (English Language training program).
    · 20% tuition discount on the MERGE program (Intensive summer English program).

Funder Benefits:

  • Supplementary scholarship to cover domestic tuition and non-instructional fees, including the application fee.
  • Complementary living allowance in accordance with the table of allowances set by UCR.

Funder Requirements:

  • Costa Rican citizenship.
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • Students must advise the university’s selected coordinator that they are applying for admission and wish to be considered for the CALDO-UCR-GSP.
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of four (4) years for doctoral programs and two (2) years for master’s programs.

View full program details

FUNED (FUNDACIÓN MEXICANA PARA LA EDUCACIÓN, LA TECNOLOGÍA y LA CIENCIA)

Type of program: National-level credit-based scholarship.
Education level: Master’s programs in management, social sciences, economics and related professional fields supported by FUNED.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Open number of CAD $5,000 entrance awards for Master’s programs in Engineering Practice, including MEPP, M.Eng Design, MEEI, MEME and M&ST. This is equivalent to approximately 10% of tuition.
  • Open number of entrance awards for 10–15% of tuition for the MBA program, including specializations in Business Analytics, Finance, Health Services Management, Strategic Marketing and Strategic Business Valuation, with the Co-op option.
  • One entrance award for 10% of tuition for the Master of Finance program.
  • Students accepted in a graduate program at McMaster University can participate in the MODEL program. This service is free to current students.
  • Students may receive a 20% tuition discount on the MERGE program.

Funder Benefits:

  • FUNED may provide up to USD $30,000 to cover partial tuition, university fees or living expenses. The amount provided to each student is determined by FUNED.

Funder Requirements:

  • Mexican citizenship.
  • Have achieved a GPA of 8.0 or above on a 10-point scale in their first degree program and hold a first degree Mexican “Título.”
  • Submit an official Certificate of Admission issued by McMaster University to FUNED.
  • Submit their application to FUNED no later than 90 days before leaving to study their program
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of four (4) years for doctoral programs and two (2) years for master’s programs.

View full program details

CONACYT – SECIHTI (SECRETARÍA DE CIENCIAS, HUMANIDADES, TECNOLOGÍA E INNOVACIÓN )

Type of program: National-level foreign scholarship program.
Education level: Research-based Master’s and PhD programs across all disciplines.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Programs
    · Students may be eligible to obtain faculty or supervisor funding or an additional scholarship to offset tuition fees.
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rates for PhD programs.

Funder Benefits:

  • CONACYT-SECIHTI may provide tuition fee support, a monthly stipend for living costs, and partial support for health insurance.

Funder Requirements:

  • Mexican citizenship.
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of four (4) years for doctoral programs and two (2) years for master’s programs.

View full program details

JUVENTUDES GTO

Type of program: State-level scholarship program.
Education level: Thesis-based Master’s and PhD programs in priority areas supported by JUVENTUDES GTO, including engineering, technology, health, business, social development, natural sciences, environmental studies and related fields.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Programs
    · Students may be eligible to obtain faculty or supervisor funding or an additional scholarship to offset tuition fees.
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rates for PhD programs.

Funder Benefits:

  • EDUCAFIN/Juventudes GTO may provide support for tuition fees, health insurance, and a monthly stipend for living expenses.

Funder Requirements:

  • Mexican citizenship and a current student in Guanajuato.
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of 4 years for doctoral programs and 2 years for master’s programs.

View full program details

FIDERH (Fondo para el Desarrollo de Recursos Humanos)

Type of program: National‑level credit‑based scholarship (student loan) for postgraduate studies.

Education level:
Course‑based Master’s programs and research‑based Master’s and PhD programs, in selected fields at McMaster University, as outlined in the McMaster–FIDERH agreement.

McMaster Benefits:
Course‑based Master’s Programs

  • Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology (entrance awards of CAD $5,000, approximately 10% of tuition):

    • Master of Engineering and Public Policy (MEPP)

    • Master of Engineering Design (M.Eng. Design)

    • Master of Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEEI)

    • Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering (MEME)

    • Master of Engineering and Management of Technology & Entrepreneurship (M&ST)

  • DeGroote School of Business (entrance awards of 10–25% of tuition):

    • Master of Business Administration (MBA)

    • MBA (Business Analytics)

    • MBA (Finance)

    • MBA (Health Services Management)

    • MBA (Strategic Marketing)

    • MBA (Strategic Business Valuation)

    • MBA with Co‑op

    • Master of Management in Applied Artificial Intelligence (MMAI)

  • Master of Finance (MFIN):

    • One entrance award equivalent to 10% of tuition.

Research‑based Master’s Programs

  • Up to two (2) years of full‑time study in a research‑based Master’s program may be eligible for additional funding from the faculty or the research supervisor, to help offset the portion of international tuition fees not covered by FIDERH.

PhD Programs

  • International tuition is charged at the domestic tuition rate for all PhD programs.

  • Additional scholarships or funding opportunities may be available beyond FIDERH support, according to faculty or supervisor arrangements.

Other benefits (as per agreement)

Funder Benefits (FIDERH):

  • FIDERH may provide credit‑based financial support to Mexican students pursuing eligible graduate studies at McMaster University.

  • Funding can be used to help cover partial tuition, university fees and/or living expenses, subject to FIDERH’s own policies and individual assessment.

  • The specific amount and terms of support are determined by FIDERH for each student, in line with its national regulations and program guidelines.

Funder Requirements (FIDERH):

  • Mexican citizenship and compliance with FIDERH’s eligibility criteria for postgraduate funding.

  • Admission to an eligible graduate program at McMaster University, with submission of the official McMaster Certificate of Admission (or equivalent offer letter) to FIDERH as part of the loan/scholarship application.

  • Submission of a complete application to FIDERH by the deadlines established by the fund, prior to departure for studies.

  • All benefits and support are valid only for the agreed support period under FIDERH’s regulations and the McMaster–FIDERH agreement (typically up to two (2) years for master’s programs and four (4) years for doctoral programs, depending on FIDERH’s terms).

    View full program details

SENACYT (INSTITUTO PARA LA FORMACIÓN Y APROVECHAMIENTO DE RECURSOS HUMANOS (IFARHU) AND SECRETARÍA NACIONAL DE CIENCIA, TECNOLOGÍA E INNOVACIÓN)

Type of program: National-level co-financed scholarship program.
Education level: Research-based Master’s and PhD programs across science, technology and innovation disciplines.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Programs
    · Paid teaching or research assistant positions may be available to offset tuition and additional costs.
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rates for PhD programs.

Funder Requirements:

  •  Panamanian citizenship.
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements for a full-time program, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of 4 years for doctoral programs and 2 years for master’s programs.

View full program details

BECAL (PROGRAMA NACIONAL DE BECAS DON ANTONIO LÓPEZ)

Type of program: National-level graduate co-funding program.
Education level: Research-based Master’s and PhD programs across all disciplines.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Programs
    · Paid teaching or research assistant positions may be available to offset tuition and additional costs.
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rates for PhD programs.

Funder Benefits:

  • BECAL may provide support for airfare, tuition and fees, monthly living allowance, settlement and relocation expenses, books and materials, health insurance, pre-sessional language courses, and eligible family-related support.
  • Students have access to the CALDO Graduate Placement service.

Funder Requirements:

  • Paraguayan citizenship.
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of four (4) years for doctoral programs and two (2) years for master’s programs.

View full program details

PRONABEC (PROGRAMA NACIONAL DE BECAS Y CRÉDITO EDUCATIVO)

Type of program: National-level graduate co-funding program.
Education level: Research-based Master’s and PhD programs across all disciplines.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Programs
    · Paid teaching or research assistant positions may be available to offset tuition and additional costs.
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rates for PhD programs.

Funder Benefits:

  • PRONABEC may cover scholarship costs according to the guidelines for the President of the Republic Scholarship.

Funder Requirements:

  • Peruvian citizenship.
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of four (4) years for doctoral programs and two (2) years for master’s programs.

View full program details

ANII (AGENCIA NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN E INNOVACIÓN)

Type of program: National-level scholarship program.
Education level: Research-based Master’s and PhD programs across all disciplines.

McMaster Benefits:

  • Research Master’s Programs
    · Paid teaching or research assistant positions may be available to offset tuition and additional costs.
  • PhD Programs
    · Domestic tuition rates for PhD programs.
  • Additional McMaster Benefits
    · Students accepted into a graduate program at McMaster University can participate in the MODEL program. This service is free to current students.
    · Students may receive a 20% tuition discount on the MERGE program.

Funder Benefits:

  • ANII may provide up to USD $50,000 per beneficiary for Research Master’s programs of up to two (2) years.
  • ANII may provide up to USD $80,000 per beneficiary for PhD programs.

Funder Requirements:

  • Uruguayan citizenship or a foreign student resident in Uruguay for at least 2 years.
  • Applicants must meet all the standard admission requirements, including an official language proficiency test requested by McMaster University (For specific admission criteria, please refer to the McMaster Master’s/PhD program websites.)
  • All benefits provided are valid only for the established support period: a maximum of four (4) years for doctoral programs and two (2) years for master’s programs.

View full program details

Expandable List

Brazil: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).
Chile: National Agency for Research and Development (ANID).
Colombia: COLFUTURO (in renewal process), COLCIENCIAS.
Ecuador: Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (SENESCYT).
Mexico: National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), Juventudes GTO.
Peru: National Program of Scholarships and Educational Credit (PRONABEC).
Uruguay: National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII).