Office of the University of Illinois System in Mexico
Oficina del Sistema de la Universidad de Illinois en México
Message from Dr. Elvira de Mejia, University of Illinois System I-MMÁS founder and executive director, director of Institutional Relations-Mexico:
We are excited to announce the establishment of the University of Illinois System office in Mexico. We greatly appreciate Dr. Tim Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System, for his leadership and efforts to expand educational opportunities for students. The mission of I-MMÁS is to enhance educational, cultural, scientific, technical, and social collaborations between the University of Illinois System and Mexican institutions by building and maintaining a large-scale presence in education and research with participating institutions.
Mensaje de la Dra. Elvira de Mejía, Fundadora y Directora Ejecutiva de I-MMÁS, del Sistema de la Universidad de Illinois, Directora de Relaciones Institucionales en México:
Nos emociona anunciar el establecimiento de la oficina del Sistema de la Universidad de Illinois en México. Agradecemos mucho al Sr. Presidente del Sistema de la Universidad de Illinois, el Dr. Tim Killeen por su liderazgo y esfuerzos para ampliar las oportunidades educativas de los estudiantes. La misión de I-MMÁS es mejorar las colaboraciones educativas, culturales, científicas, técnicas y sociales entre el Sistema de la Universidad de Illinois, y las instituciones mexicanas mediante la construcción y el mantenimiento de una presencia a gran escala en educación e investigación con las instituciones participantes.
Dr. Elvira de Mejia in the office in Mexico City.
Director of the Mexico Office
Mariam Hernandez Rea
Mariam Hernández is the director of the Office of the University of Illinois System in Mexico. She works to enhance educational, scientific, and academic collaborations among the University of Illinois System and Mexican universities, academics, alumni, governmental and private institutions.
With more than five years of professional experience in the international education sector, she has developed innovative educational projects and established strong and lasting partnerships. She is passionate about providing talented students and faculty with resources and opportunities that foster their potential.
Mariam holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). She received a master’s degree in public administration with honors from the Universidad Anahuac México, with a public policy proposal to promote the internationalization of higher education in México.
Contact: mariamh@uillinois.edu
Scholarship and Fellowship Resources for Mexican Students
UNAM STUDENTS
Resources for Mexican Students UNAM’s grants for undergraduate students pursuing opportunities abroad
| Scholarship | Description | Duration | Call Opens | Eligible Months for Activities | Amount of Financial Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Initiation Program | Aimed at undergraduate students. Applicants must submit an invitation letter from the host university. | 6 to 12 weeks | February or March | Between June and October | 6 to 8.86 weeks - $4,250 USD 9 to 12 weeks - $4,750 USD |
| Short-term Stays | For undergraduate students. Supports participation in conferences, summer courses, etc. (excluding research). Students must have completed at least 44% of their academic credits. | Up to 8 weeks | February or August | Between April and September Between September and October | 1 day to 4 weeks - $1,000 USD 4.1 to 8 weeks - $1,500 USD |
| Program to Promote Degree Completion through Academic Activities Abroad (PITAAE) | For former UNAM students who completed their courses no more than two years ago but have not yet earned their degree. The objective is to support research to complete their thesis. | 8 to 24 weeks | April or August | Between July and February (next year) Between October and March (next year) | 8 to 12 weeks - 3,500 USD 12 to 18.86 weeks - $5,000 USD 19 weeks to 24 weeks - $6,000 USD |
Resources for Mexican Students UNAM’s grants for staff pursuing opportunities abroad
| Scholarship | Description | Duration | Call Opens | Eligible Months for Activities | Amount of Financial Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program for Special Activities of Interinstitutional Cooperation (PAECI) | Aimed at academic staff, cultural groups, administrative officials, or trusted personnel from the outreach and exchange offices of UNAM and other institutions, to carry out collaborative activities. | Up to 14 calendar days | February
| Between April and December Between September and December | Up to $420 USD for airfare $75 USD per day for meals and accommodation |
These scholarships are managed by the UNAM General Direction for Cooperation and Internationalization (DGECI, in Spanish).
Find more information on these scholarships.
UNAM’s grants for graduate (Master and PhD) students pursuing opportunities abroad
| Scholarship | Description | Duration | Call Opens | Eligible Months for Activities | Amount of Financial Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Studies Support Program (PAEP) | Aimed at graduate students participating in academic meetings, courses, advanced schools or workshops, research stays, or fieldwork placements | 1 to 59 calendar days | February to September | Between the end of January and mid-December | Up to $900 USD per month for meals and accommodation Up to $750 USD for airfare Up to $250 USD for registration fee, if applicable |
| Long-Term Stays | Aimed at graduate students participating in research stays, dual-degree programs, or academic coursework abroad. | From 60 to 180 calendar days | Early March to early October | Between mid- January and the second half of November | Up to $385 USD (for Master students) and $525 USD (for PhD students) per month for meals and accommodation Up to $900 USD for airfare |
These scholarships are managed by the UNAM’s Graduate College (UNAM Posgrado)
Get more information on these scholarships.
If graduate students have a SECIHTI* scholarship, they can apply for a complementary financial support.
| Scholarship | Description | Duration | Call Opens | Eligible Months for Activities | Amount of Financial Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplementary Support for International Mobility, National Mobility, Mobility in Priority Sectors, and Mobility for Dual-Degree Programs | National scholarship recipients are invited to apply for supplementary mobility support for international mobility, mobility in priority sectors, and mobility for dual-degree programs to carry out an academic activity as part of their graduate studies; to complete their research project or thesis work, within and as part of the official academic program of the institution where they are enrolled; as well as to undertake the necessary academic activities required by the official curriculum in order to obtain the corresponding degree. | 1-6 months for Master students / 1-12 months for PhD students | The call is published in June and students can submit their applications in October to November | Depends on the work plan of the student | Monthly supplementary financial support of $400 USD Monthly support for health insurance of $50 USD One-time transportation allowance of $500 USD |
*SECIHTI is the Mexico’s Secretariat for Sciences, Humanities, Technology and Innovation
Get more information on SECIHTI scholarships.
Fulbright García-Robles for Graduate Studies
- Mexicans who wish to study a master’s or doctoral degree in the United States
- Up to USD $25,000 per academic year
- No admission letter required
- Open to all disciplines, except those included in clinical areas of medicine, dentistry, and veterinary studies involving patients
- Advanced English
Deadline: February
Fulbright García-Robles for Graduate Studies – STEM Regional
- Mexicans who wish to study a master’s or doctoral degree in the United States
- Residents of the interior of the country except for Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and their surrounding areas
- Areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
- Intermediate English
Deadline: February
SECIHTI Fellowships
The Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (SECIHTI) of Mexico and the University of Illinois System have established a fellowship agreement for Mexicans to pursue graduate studies.
- Fellowships for master's studies (2 years) and doctoral programs (4 years) which include a percentage of tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, and annual health insurance coverage based on the participating program's guidelines.
- Access to high-quality programs at any of the three universities within the University of Illinois System: the University of Illinois Chicago, University of Illinois Springfield, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
How to apply?
- Apply for admission to any of the three universities in Illinois and to the program of your interest. For personalized guidance, contact Mariam Hernández (mariamh@illinois.edu), director of the office of the University of Illinois System in Mexico.
- Receive your acceptance letter.
- Apply for the SECIHTI fellowship for Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Humanities, Science, and Technology Abroad with your acceptance letter.
Call for Applications 2026