March 12, 2026
The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile has welcomed a new generation of doctoral students, who have started their formation in some of our 39 programs. This increase comes in a context of growing interest in pursuing doctoral studies at UC: This year, the institution received 805 applications, an increase of 50% compared with 2024, ranking it the highest in recent years.
Following a rigorous and highly competitive selection process, 352 applicants were accepted into the doctoral programs. To date, 207 students have completed enrollment, but the process remains open, and this number may increase.
It is important to highlight that the UC has all 39 of its doctoral programs accredited by the Comisión Nacional de Acreditación (CNA), which are designed to enable researchers to generate knowledge, impel innovation, and, from diverse disciplines, contribute to society and the country´s development.
This year’s incoming class also reflects the international character of UC’s programs. This year, students from Germany, Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iran, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela joined the university.
The arrival of the new students was celebrated with a ceremony held in the Main Auditorium of the UC Anacleto Angelini Innovation Center on the San Joaquín campus.
The event was led by UC Rector Juan Carlos de la Llera and Vice Rector for Research and Graduate Studies María Angélica Fellenberg, and featured neuroscientist Francisco Aboitiz Domínguez, who delivered the master lecture.
During his remarks, the university Rector highlighted the strength of the university’s research ecosystem and the central role of doctoral programs in training the next generation of researchers.
“The doctoral program is the setting where cutting-edge research is cultivated and where individuals are trained who will have a real opportunity to influence public policy, scientific innovation, and technological development, as well as fields as essential as culture, health, and education,” he added.
Likewise, the Vicerrector for Research and Graduate Studies, María Angélica Fellenberg, highlighted the excellence in the academic group at the UC and its key role in the formation of researchers.
“Our doctoral programs are supported by a faculty of excellence, composed of researchers who are at the forefront of advancements in their fields and who, through doctoral training, impart not only knowledge but also the ability to think critically, innovate, and contribute solutions to the nation’s greatest challenges,” she emphasized.
As part of the opening day, neuroscientist Francisco Aboitiz, director of the ANID Center of National Interest for Research and Innovation on Children, Adolescents, Resilience, and Adversity (IINARA), delivered the master lecture “The Wandering Mind: Internal Dialogue and the Mechanisms of Memory,” offering a cutting-edge perspective on the mind and memory—insights that inspire reflection and critical thinking among those beginning their doctoral studies.
The welcome for the 2026 generation lasted 3 days, with activities designed to facilitate integration into academic life, research, and the doctoral community. On the first day, the opening ceremony took place, along with a master class and a tour of informational booths where students could learn about various support services for doctoral studies and campus life.
During that same day, the Director of the Graduate School of the Vice Rector's Office for Research and Graduate Studies, UC, Diego Cosmelli, presented the principal services for doctoral students, alongside the ecosystem of investigation of the UC to the service of their formation, and all the diverse academic opportunities and development to accompany their doctoral trajectory.
“In the Graduate School, we ensure the strategic development of the PhD in the UC by establishing transversal support to ensure that our students have an integrative doctoral formation. We work alongside the academic units, implementing policies and mechanisms that grant the quality of the programs and that foster the development of independent, high-caliber researchers,” he said.
The steady increase in applications also highlights the challenges the system faces in funding doctoral education.
“This result presents a challenge for the country. In a context where accredited doctoral programs are growing steadily, and interest in pursuing doctoral studies is on the rise—as reflected in application figures—the number of available national doctoral scholarships (ANID) remains virtually unchanged. This puts pressure on the system and leaves many high-achieving applicants out in the cold. As a university, we believe it is essential to strengthen doctoral funding policies to meet the current needs of scientific development and advanced human capital in Chile,” said Diego Cosmelli.
In this context, the arrival of a new generation of doctoral students takes on special significance. It builds on the university’s track record as a pioneer in doctoral education in the country. In 2025, UC commemorated the 90th anniversary of Chile’s first doctoral degree and celebrated the graduation of 267 new doctoral graduates in various fields of knowledge, who today contribute through research, academia, and various sectors to strengthening the scientific system and to the development of Chile and the world.
Look at the ceremony photos here: