International Postdoctoral Programme (IPP-Cebrap)
CEBRAP’s International Postdoctoral Program (IPP) is designed to provide Ph.D. graduates with an interdisciplinary research experience, allowing them to explore topics beyond the boundaries of their field of study. We believe this will broaden their perspective on contemporary societies’ major issues.
Founded in 2016, the IPP builds on CEBRAP’s successful history of the Cadre Training Program (1986-2002) and the Postdoctoral Program (2003-2007), which have trained 116 young researchers who have since achieved prominent positions at universities and institutions throughout Brazil.
The Program is currently led by Prof. Maria Hermínia Tavares de Almeida and Prof. Vera Schattan Ruas Pereira Coelho (learn more at Coordinators). It has over 20 active Postdoctoral Fellows supervised by experienced researchers from different Cebrap’s Nucleus (meet them at Supervisors). The IPP has produced 15 outstanding researchers to date (check out their profiles in our Alumni section) and helped current and former Fellows to publish remarkable papers and books. You can learn about the products of the research projects conducted at the IPP in the profiles below and by attending our Open Seminars (see more in News).
At the IPP, we seek to attract outstanding researchers who are eager to pursue their projects and make a positive impact in their fields. We understand that diversity is a key ingredient in fostering academic excellence and are committed to promoting it. Therefore, we have implemented an affirmative action policy for black scholars. In addition, we strive to create a cohort with a balanced representation of gender, race, and geographic diversity.
If you are interested in applying to our Program, we announce our annual Call for Proposals during the months of October or November. If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact us.
Do you want to learn more about the IPP? Watch this video where Prof. Maria Herminia Tavares de Almeida and Prof. Vera Schattan Coelho talk about the Program or click here to watch testimonials from participants of the IPP.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
The IPP will select a group of up to 10 doctors from different nationalities, who earned their Ph.D. in Brazil or abroad.
Beginning in August 2026, the program lasts for at least two years. As an option, the researcher can extend their participation in the program for up to two extra years.
The post-doctoral program is grounded in research activity. Postdoctoral researchers might develop their project under the supervision of CEBRAP senior researchers (PhDs for over 10 years) and can become part of their research teams, choosing topics related to ongoing studies in the institution (see above a list of available Supervisors and check here the Nucleus at Cebrap).
Postdoctoral researchers will participate in three mandatory and regular activities:
- Weekly research seminar (Thursdays) in which postdocs successively present their initial project, partial results, and a final written product (article, book chapter, book). This seminar aims at following the project development in its several stages: object definition, theoretical approach, research design, research strategies, and partial and final results. The weekly seminars are held remotely (by Zoom) or in a hybrid format so those who do not live in São Paulo can also engage themselves in participating. Seminar attendance is mandatory.
- Open Seminar with the participation of CEBRAP researchers as well as national and international guests. Open to the academic community, the Open Seminar is an occasion for the post-docs to present the results of their work to the public.
- Submission for publication of an article or book at the end of the program.
Postdoctoral researchers should also:
- Be active participants in CEBRAP’s collective activities (seminars and debates) as well as in their affiliated research group, if that is the case.
- Present their research proposals in the Weekly Research Seminar before submission to funding applications.
EVALUATION
The postdoctoral researchers will have their final product (book or article) evaluated by the IPP Academic Committee.
Participants who meet the program’s requirements will receive an achievement certificate.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE PROGRAM: English and Portuguese.
APPLICATION
Required documentation (in English, Portuguese, or Spanish):
- Application form;
- Research project (up to 20 pages, including an initial half-page summary);
- Curriculum Vitae (up to 4 pages);
- Letter stating the reasons for the candidate’s interest in the program (up to 2 pages);
- 1 (one) article or paper, published or unpublished, that the candidate considers the best example of their academic production;
- Ph.D. diploma (or equivalent);
- 2 (two) recommendation letters to be sent by their authors (former professor or employers) directly to our email – postdoc@cebrap.org.br;
- Proof of English proficiency for fluent reading and speaking: TOEFL or equivalent, or a statement of advanced knowledge of English, or a description of a significant previous international experience;
Documents, preferably in .pdf format, should be sent to the email postdoc@cebrap.org.br, by March 5th, 2026.
Application Fee:
R$ 150,00, paid through PayPal, bank deposit, or PIX.
For Paypal, send the payment to: cebrap@cebrap.org.br
Bank transfers should be sent to:
Banco do Brasil
Agência 0300-X
Conta 10.8440-2
CNPJ: 62.579.164/0001-72
Centro Brasileiro de Análise e Planejamento
PIX: postdoc@cebrap.org.br
*Please send the transfer proof to both postdoc@cebrap.org.br and financeiro@cebrap.org.br
SELECTION PROCESS
Class: up to 10 doctors per year.
Candidates may be invited to an interview with the potential supervisor.
Results will be announced up to May 15th, 2026 via email (postdoc@cebrap.org.br). Approved postdoctoral researchers will receive a formal acceptance letter.
Deadline for enrollment: June 15th, 2026.
The program starts in August 2026.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Two positions will be filled by candidates who declare themselves blacks or descendants of indigenous groups. People applying through this policy will be exempted from the payment of the enrollment fee. If you are eligible for affirmative action and are willing to benefit from it, please indicate this in the application form.
FUNDING
The program operation is funded by CEBRAP and there are no additional charges to postdoctoral researchers. The sole requirement is that postdocs pay the selection fee of R$ 150,00 and the enrollment fee of R$ 1.275,00. No enrollment fee will be required from candidates selected by partner institutions nor from those selected through affirmative action.
The Program does not offer scholarships but gives institutional support for those post-docs willing to apply for Brazilian and foreign funding agencies.
Postdocs living abroad should be provided through their own resources, their institutions of origin, or international funding institutions with official support from CEBRAP.
Postdoctoral researchers living in Brazil, whether Brazilians or foreigners, may resort to their own resources or apply for a national scholarship, with official support from CEBRAP.
Postdoctoral researchers funded by FAPESP (or other funding institution) must meet the rules and requirements of the funding institution as well as the program’s norms. For those interested in a scholarship funded by FAPESP, we highly recommend reading the rules on FAPESP´s website.
If you have any doubts about the application or the selection process, please contact us at postdoc@cebrap.org.br.
