July 8, 2026
With 730 registered participants and 718 attendees, the Graduate School at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile successfully hosted a new edition of the UC Doctoral Open House, providing prospective applicants from Chile and abroad with the opportunity to explore the University’s research ecosystem, doctoral training opportunities, funding options, and internationalization initiatives that position UC as a leading institution for research and doctoral education in Latin America.
The event began with a welcome webinar led by Diego Cosmelli, Director of the UC Graduate School, who introduced the University’s research ecosystem, the structure of its doctoral education, and the key opportunities available for those pursuing careers in research. The session brought together 242 participants.
“The Open House is an invitation to discover what doctoral education at UC is like and to learn about the research ecosystem that supports it. We want prospective researchers to have the opportunity to resolve their questions, learn firsthand about the opportunities our doctoral programs offer, and envision themselves conducting cutting-edge research with societal impact while collaborating with outstanding academic networks both nationally and internationally.”
— Diego Cosmelli, Director of the UC Graduate School
Over the following days, the Graduate School hosted a series of online information sessions for its doctoral programs, attracting 476 participants. During these sessions, attendees learned about each program’s research areas, admissions process, funding opportunities, transferable skills training, and internationalization opportunities. They also had the chance to interact directly with program directors, faculty members, program coordinators, and current doctoral students.
The strong turnout reflects the growing interest in joining a university that, since launching its first doctoral program in 1935, has graduated more than 3,500 researchers. Today, UC offers 39 accredited doctoral programs and, in 2025, reached a historic milestone by awarding doctoral degrees to 267 graduates—the highest annual number ever recorded by a Chilean university. In addition, for 11 consecutive years, UC has led the country in the number of doctoral scholarships awarded by Chile’s National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), further demonstrating the excellence of its doctoral education.
Participants rated the event highly, praising its organization, the clarity of the presentations, and the willingness of faculty and professional staff to answer questions. Information about funding opportunities, scholarships, transferable skills training, internationalization, and the admissions process received particularly positive feedback.
“I especially appreciated the clarity of the information and the team’s willingness to answer every question. The explanations about funding, scholarships, transferable skills training, and international opportunities gave me a much better understanding of both the benefits and the application process for pursuing a doctoral degree at UC.”
— 2026 UC Doctoral Open House participant
“The entire webinar was highly informative, but the most valuable part for me was learning about the University’s internal scholarships available to support doctoral students.”
— 2026 UC Doctoral Open House participant
Through initiatives such as the Open House, the UC Graduate School continues to bring doctoral education closer to the next generation of researchers, reaffirming the University’s commitment to research excellence, collaboration, and societal impact. By fostering world-class research and academic collaboration, UC contributes to the advancement of knowledge and to addressing the major challenges facing Chile and the world.