The Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel, known as CAPES, played a prominent role at the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo held in Orlando, Florida, from May 26 to 29. This participation underscores Brazil's ongoing commitment to expanding global connections in graduate education and research. A delegation representing CAPES joined representatives from 31 Brazilian higher education institutions, totaling 48 professionals, to showcase opportunities for international collaboration.
Context of Brazilian Higher Education Internationalization
Brazil has pursued structured approaches to internationalization for more than a decade. CAPES, the federal agency under the Ministry of Education responsible for graduate education evaluation, scholarships, and international cooperation, leads many of these efforts. The agency evaluates thousands of master's and doctoral programs annually while funding mobility initiatives that connect Brazilian researchers with counterparts worldwide.
Recent policy shifts have emphasized networked partnerships rather than isolated projects. The CAPES-Global.edu program, launched to succeed the earlier PrInt initiative, runs from 2026 to 2031 with planned investments reaching up to 1.4 billion reais. It supports consortia of universities in developing strategic internationalization plans, fostering regional equity across Brazil's diverse higher education landscape, and building sustainable partnerships focused on mutual benefit and sustainable development.
CAPES Presence and Activities at NAFSA 2026
At the Orlando event, CAPES representatives staffed a dedicated Brazilian booth alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Brazilian Association for International Education, known as FAUBAI. The booth served as a hub for discussions on graduate scholarships, joint research programs, and student mobility pathways. Attendees learned about opportunities for faculty exchanges, collaborative degree programs, and funding mechanisms that support Brazilian institutions seeking global partners.
Sessions and networking events highlighted Brazil's strengths in areas such as environmental science, public health, and engineering. The delegation emphasized how internationalization contributes to national development goals, including innovation capacity and regional integration within Latin America and beyond. FAUBAI Executive Director Renée Zicman participated as a featured speaker, drawing on her extensive experience in regional and international education forums.
Link to CAPES-Global.edu and Broader Strategies
The timing of the NAFSA participation aligned closely with the rollout of CAPES-Global.edu. The program encourages Brazilian universities from different regions and varying levels of prior internationalization experience to form networks. These networks receive support to consolidate institutional plans, promote intercultural dialogue, and position Brazil as a strategic partner in global initiatives.
Key objectives include expanding access to high-quality graduate education across all regions, strengthening research collaboration, and advancing sustainable development through academic partnerships. By participating in NAFSA, CAPES positioned the new program as an attractive framework for foreign institutions seeking reliable, long-term collaborators in Brazil.
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Partnerships and Recent Developments
Just days before the conference, CAPES signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Association of Universities. The agreement focuses on supporting consortia funded under CAPES-Global.edu through capacity building, best-practice sharing, and strategic guidance on internationalization processes. This partnership exemplifies the multi-stakeholder approach Brazil is adopting.
Similar collaborations have emerged with associations and agencies in Europe, North America, and Asia. Brazilian institutions are increasingly exploring joint degrees, dual diplomas, and co-supervised doctoral research. These arrangements help address domestic challenges such as faculty development and access to cutting-edge research infrastructure.
Benefits for Brazilian Institutions and Students
Participation in major international events like NAFSA yields tangible outcomes. Brazilian universities gain visibility among thousands of international education professionals, leading to new memoranda of understanding and research consortia. Students benefit from expanded scholarship pathways and exposure to global academic standards.
Faculty members return with fresh ideas for curriculum internationalization, including the integration of virtual exchange components and co-taught courses. Institutions in less traditionally internationalized regions of Brazil particularly value the networking opportunities that help level the playing field.
- Enhanced visibility for graduate programs
- New pathways for student and faculty mobility
- Access to international funding networks
- Strengthened institutional strategic plans
Challenges in Scaling Internationalization
Despite progress, Brazilian higher education faces hurdles in deepening internationalization. Language barriers, visa processing times, and uneven digital infrastructure across regions can slow partnership development. Funding sustainability remains a concern, especially as programs transition from one initiative to the next.
Equity considerations also feature prominently. Ensuring that institutions outside major urban centers participate meaningfully requires targeted support, which CAPES-Global.edu aims to provide through its networked model. Addressing these challenges demands coordinated action among government agencies, universities, and international partners.
Future Outlook and Strategic Implications
The NAFSA 2026 engagement signals Brazil's intention to maintain momentum in higher education internationalization. With CAPES-Global.edu providing a multi-year framework and new international agreements in place, the coming years are expected to see increased joint research outputs, more diverse student cohorts, and stronger contributions to global knowledge networks.
Observers anticipate further Brazilian participation in regional forums and bilateral initiatives. The emphasis on sustainability, regional balance, and mutual benefit positions Brazilian higher education as a constructive partner in addressing shared global challenges such as climate change, public health, and technological innovation.
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Implications for Academic Careers and Institutional Strategy
For academics and administrators, these developments create new avenues for collaboration. Faculty seeking international experience can explore CAPES-supported mobility schemes, while university leaders gain frameworks for building strategic partnerships. The networked approach encourages institutions to pool resources and expertise, potentially leading to more resilient internationalization strategies.
Job seekers in Brazilian higher education may notice growing demand for professionals with experience in international program management, cross-cultural communication, and grant writing for global initiatives. Institutions are likely to prioritize candidates who can help operationalize partnerships forged at events like NAFSA.
Practical Steps for Engagement
Institutions interested in connecting with Brazilian partners can begin by reviewing the CAPES-Global.edu guidelines on the official government portal. Attending future NAFSA conferences or regional events organized by FAUBAI offers direct networking opportunities. Early dialogue focused on shared research interests and mutual capacity building tends to yield the most sustainable outcomes.
Universities abroad may also consider virtual exchange pilots or short-term faculty visits as low-barrier entry points before committing to longer-term agreements. These steps help build trust and demonstrate commitment to equitable partnership models.