Choosing to study at a university in America can open doors you may not even imagine. From major research centers in the United States From pioneering online universities based in Europe but focused on Latin America, the map of opportunities is enormous for those seeking solid higher education, research options, and master's degrees with an international outlook.
In this article we will explore, calmly but directly, the main opportunities for study, research and scholarships that connect with universities in the Americas: what types of institutions you can find, which are some of the most representative, how the major OAS scholarship programs work, what requirements universities like the UOC ask for online master's degrees, and what role Ibero-American networks like AUIP and foundations specializing in master's degrees about Latin America play.
Overview of American Universities
The American continent concentrates an enormous diversity of higher education institutions: from centuries-old on-campus universities...to young campuses highly focused on technological innovation and startup ecosystem and resources that connect with fully online e-learning platforms that collaborate closely with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In the United States alone, there is talk of more than 4.500 universities and collegesThis gives you an idea of the range of possibilities. Obviously, not all are equal in terms of prestige or price, and a student's actual choice will always depend on their grades, their level of English, and, of course, their budget.
Many academic guidance platforms and international study search engines help connect millions of young people with these institutions each year. Some of these search engines reach over 40 million annual usersfacilitating the comparison of programs, countries, academic fees and access requirements for studying abroad.
Behind that figure lies a clear idea: those who study abroad often become globally minded professionalsaccustomed to moving in intercultural contexts and with an international network of contacts that influences their career in the medium and long term.
Alongside the growth of university offerings in America, an entire architecture of support has been strengthened: scholarships from multilateral organizations, university-international organization partnerships, joint programs with European universities, as well as specific calls for Latin American and Caribbean students.
Leading universities in the United States and other regions of America
When people talk about “Universities of America,” much of the attention turns to the United States, where they converge leading institutions in research and master's degree programs in virtually all disciplines. Even so, we must not forget the growing importance of centers in Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America that participate in international scholarship networks and programs.
Among the most frequently cited American universities, both for their academic level and their global reach, are names such as Harvard University, Yale University or Columbia UniversityAll of them are among the world's elite in terms of research volume, teaching quality, and alumni networks. These institutions typically boast strong graduate schools and highly competitive master's programs.
Alongside this elite group, there is a long list of public and private universities that are very well positioned in different fields: UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University with a strong emphasis on engineering and technology, the University of Washington, Purdue University West Lafayette and University at Buffalo (SUNY), Entre otras muchas.
There is also no shortage of medium-sized or small centers that offer a more personalized experience, with less crowded campuses and a strong practical component. Universities such as Grand Valley State University, Millikin University, Fisher College in Boston, Lynn University, University of Tulsaor colleges like Assumption College and Albright CollegeThey represent that profile of institution where the treatment of the teaching staff can be more personal and the academic environment more intimate.
At the same time, there are private universities focused on very specific fields or professional sectors: the Milwaukee School of Engineering, specializing in engineering and applied technology; the Florida Institute of Technology, with a strong scientific and technological tradition; or institutions strongly linked to business, communication or health.
Within the field of universities with an international focus and connections to Latin America, centers such as the University of San Francisco, University of Miami, Drexel University, Northeastern University, Georgetown University and Andrews University, very present in mobility agreements and exchange programs with countries in the region.
Outside the United States, but still within the Americas, institutions from the Caribbean and Latin America also stand out for their participation in inter-American scholarship alliances. A clear example is The University of West Indies (UWI)with campuses in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, highly integrated into joint programs with organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS).
In this broad scenario, the key is not just to look at the rankings, but to assess how each university fits with your objectives: if you are looking for professional master's degrees, doctoral research, short-term certifications or a combination of all these paths.
Paying for your studies in America: scholarships, grants and international partnerships
The cost of studying at an American university, especially in the United States, can be very high, both in tuition and living expenses. Therefore, obtain scholarships or financial aid It is usually decisive for the project of studying abroad to be viable and not just remain a nice dream.
In addition to the internal scholarships of each university, the continent has developed multilateral support programs that combine partial tuition waivers, special discounts, direct aid and even online training options with more manageable costs.
At this point, organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS), European online universities with strong collaboration with Latin America (such as the UOC, the European University or the International University of Valencia) and Ibero-American foundations specializing in postgraduate studies have become key players.
Its function is to serve as a bridge between students from different countries in the Americas and Partner institutions that offer master's degrees, doctorates, training courses, and certificates, both in-person and in a distance learning format, for those seeking to take a leap in their training without giving up their regional context.
The OAS Scholarship and Training Program
The Organization of American States, through its Department of Human Development, Education and EmploymentIt manages one of the most important scholarship frameworks on the continent. This Scholarship and Training Program aims to facilitate access to affordable, high-quality higher education for citizens and permanent residents of OAS Member States.
The program promotes both undergraduate and postgraduate studies as short vocational training courses and innovative online training opportunities. Its philosophy is twofold: on the one hand, to strengthen people's capabilities, and on the other, to support Member States in strengthening their education systems and their highly qualified human resources.
In the post-COVID-19 pandemic context, the OAS has reviewed and improved its procedures, criteria, and partnerships. New mechanisms have been established. new mechanisms for interested institutions to apply to become partners in the Scholarship and Training Program from 2026 onwards, with a rotating selection system due to the high number of collaboration proposals they receive each year.
University institutions or training centers wishing to become partners must complete an application form before the April 30 of each yearFrom there, the OAS evaluates the proposals and chooses the participating institutions on a rotating basis for each period, which promotes the diversity of universities and countries represented.
To stay up to date, the organization publishes announcements of new scholarship opportunities as they become available on its official website, and strengthens dissemination through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, where all information regarding open opportunities, application deadlines, and results is shared.
Main OAS scholarship programs: ASP and PAEC
Within the framework of the OAS, two key programs stand out. On the one hand, the Academic Scholarship Program (ASP), one of the oldest; on the other hand, the Partnerships for Education and Training Program (PAEC), focused on agreements with partner universities.
The OAS Academic Scholarship Program (ASP), established in 1958, is the oldest. It offers scholarships of up to $10.000 USD per academic year These grants are intended for master's degrees, doctorates, and postgraduate research projects leading to an official degree. Funding is also available for the final two years of university studies, although this latter option is only open to citizens and residents of English-speaking Caribbean countries and Suriname.
This program is governed by the OAS Scholarship Procedures Manual, which details aspects such as selection criteria, duration of grants, obligations of beneficiaries, and the relationship with host institutions. The program's focus is clearly on... advanced training and knowledge generation, contributing to the critical mass of specialized professionals in the region.
The Partnerships for Education and Training Program (PAEC) operates in a complementary manner. Through corporate agreements with universities and partner centers In OAS Member States and other countries, specific calls for applications are created that combine scholarships, tuition waivers, and significant discounts.
This program covers both undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as professional development opportunities leading to a degree or academic certificate. It has been operating since 2010 and is also guided by the principles established in the OAS Scholarship Procedures Manual, although each call for applications is detailed in its own agreement with the corresponding partner institution.
PAEC calls for applications open throughout the year, and those interested should check them frequently. official OAS pages and from partner universities, since each program sets its own deadlines, study modalities, and language requirements.
Open calls for proposals from the PAEC with partner universities
Within the PAEC, calls for applications are published periodically that link the OAS with universities in different countries, many of them located in Europe but with a clear focus on Latin American and Caribbean students, as well as professionals from across the American continent.
Among the active alliances for 2026 are the following collaborations, which combine Masters, certificates, and undergraduate and postgraduate programs in different areas of knowledge and study modalities.
With the European University (Spain).The OAS maintains calls for applications for online master's programs in Spanish. Admission and scholarship application deadlines vary depending on whether the semester is spring or fall, with typical deadlines extending until [date missing]. April 13, 2026 for the spring semester and up September 30, 2026 for the fall semesterThese options cover fields of education, science, technology, business, health, communication, and other areas.
La International University of Valencia (VIU, Spain) It is another key partner. Through the PAEC, master's degrees are offered in areas such as education, science and technology, business, health, communication, among others, all in Spanish and in distance learning formatIn certain calls for applications, the deadline for admission and scholarship application has been set, for example, for January 30, 2026.
In the Caribbean region, the PAEC OAS – UWI alliance with The University of the West Indies It offers certificates, bachelor's degrees, and postgraduate programs in English, combining in-person and online learning. Studies can be undertaken at campuses in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, or Trinidad and Tobago, with application deadlines that, in one of the application periods, are set until [date missing]. July 1, 2026 both for university admission and for the scholarship.
Another notable collaboration is that of PAEC OAS – Universidad del Desarrollo (Chile), with its program dLab Global Innovation and EntrepreneurshipThis is an English-language certificate, taught entirely online, with an application deadline, in a specific call for applications, on [date]. July 15, 2026.
In the context of higher education in the United States, the PAEC OAS – UAGM alliance with the Ana G. Méndez University It includes programs in English and Spanish, both in-person and online. The calls for applications have included deadlines (for both admission and scholarships) until... July 31, 2026, with study options on physical campuses in the United States and online.
Likewise, the PAEC OAS – AGMU, also with the Ana G. Méndez UniversityIt focuses on programs taught in English, with virtual training and similar application deadlines until July 31, 2026, expanding the alternatives for those seeking geographical flexibility in their training.
The associated US institutions also include the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), which participates in PAEC calls for applications with in-person programs in English. In these cases, specific dates are established for processing the admission and scholarship application, such as the April 17th 2026 in one of the editions of the program.
Regarding combined intercontinental alliances, the PAEC OAS – UNIR, EP Newman and UNIR Mexico brings together The International University of La Rioja (Spain)The Peruvian Graduate School of Newman and UNIR Mexico offer programs in Spanish and in a 100% online format, with admissions in the spring (March-April 2026) and fall (October 2026) periods, allowing applicants to adjust the start of their studies to their personal and professional schedules.
Other calls for proposals have included agreements with national agencies such as ANID (Chile)with face-to-face programs and cut-off dates such as November 18, 2025. Although these calls may be closed, they serve to illustrate the geographical reach of the PAEC, which combines institutions from Europe, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Closed programs and consultation of OAS scholarship results
One relevant aspect for anyone considering applying for an OAS scholarship is the track record and history of applicationsThe organization keeps available references to closed programs and selection results from previous years, which allows one to get an idea of the profile of selected people, the receiving universities and the priority areas of study.
Public documentation refers to lists of results and programs already completed for the years 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023-2022, 2021-2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017Although the calls for applications are no longer open, reviewing these histories helps to understand what types of proposals are most successful, which countries most applicants come from, and which academic programs are frequently repeated.
Looking ahead to future rounds, the usual recommendation is to periodically visit the OAS website, where updates will be posted. publishing new calls for proposals The lists of participating partners are updated. In addition, the scholarship team is available to answer specific questions through official contact channels, including email addresses for inquiries regarding requirements, documentation, and selection processes.
Scholarships for online master's degrees and requirements of collaborating universities
Beyond the OAS, there are online universities with a strong commitment to Latin America that are developing specific scholarship opportunities for students in the regionOne of the most visible examples is the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), considered the world's first fully online university, with almost three decades of experience in online learning.
The UOC promotes tuition scholarship programs aimed at people from Latin America and the Caribbean interested in master's degrees and postgraduate studies, on the condition that the beneficiaries maintain their nationality or residence in the country from which they submit their application.
Among the key requirements, it is established that those who aspire to these scholarships They cannot have legal residence in Spain. nor hold the nationality of any Member State of the European Union. This restriction is due to the fact that the purpose of the call is to support the training of professionals in Latin American countries, in line with the 2030 Agenda and with the idea of strengthening the higher education systems of the region.
To apply, the interested person must first complete the UOC online scholarship application formSubsequently, you must send by email, in PDF format, all the documentation required in each call for applications: for Ecuador, to the address becascooperacion@gmail.com; for the rest of the countries of Latin America, to the email address uocbeca@uoc.edu.
The required documentation includes a copy of passport (or, failing that, a national identity card or a document proving legal residence), a photocopy of the official university or professional degree, and the Hague apostille of said titleIf you do not have the apostille at the time of submitting the application, it can be provisionally replaced by a declaration of responsibility, following the model included in the annex of the legal bases of the call.
In addition, a certificate issued by the national higher education information system or by the university itself which certifies that the degree grants access to master's or doctoral studies in the country of origin. An academic transcript is also required, showing grades, courses taken, credits earned, hours, exam attempts, and overall grade.
The updated resume and a complete application file are also included. motivation letter, where it is explained why these studies are desired, how they connect with the professional trajectory and how the scholarship will contribute to the development of the applicant's environment.
It is essential to bear in mind that, if the original documentation is in a language other than Spanish or English, it must be accompanied by a sworn translationLikewise, the dates, number of places and other specific details can always be found in the application form for each edition of the scholarship.
The UOC and its role in online education for Latin America
The Open University of Catalonia has positioned itself as a pioneering institution in e-learningwith a pedagogical model designed from the outset for the digital environment. This experience allows it to offer flexible programs that fit especially well with the needs of students who work, take care of their families, or live in contexts where the availability of quality in-person master's programs is limited.
In its relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean, the UOC collaborates closely with governments, universities, and other institutions of the region, in order to expand access to higher education and consolidate online training as a quality complement to face-to-face university.
This approach is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially with the goals related to quality education, reduction of inequalities and strengthening of institutional capacitiesThe scholarships aimed at people from Latin America and the Caribbean seek precisely to reinforce that commitment, making it easier for professionals from the region to access postgraduate programs without having to physically travel to Europe.
For the UOC, one of the central objectives of these calls is to consolidate quality higher education and enable professional and academic development of those who participate. In practice, this translates into training pathways that combine solid academic content, continuous teacher support, and advanced technological tools for collaborative learning.
Ibero-American postgraduate networks and inter-university agreements
Alongside OAS scholarship programs and online university initiatives, the activity of Ibero-American postgraduate networks and inter-university associations that promote joint master's degrees, doctorates and research projects.
A notable example is the Ibero-American University Association for Postgraduate Studies (AUIP), which promotes academic cooperation among universities in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. Within the context of higher education in the Americas, the AUIP maintains agreements with regional networks such as the Association of Montevideo Group Universities (AUGM), made up of public institutions from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, among other countries.
In one of the sessions of the AUGM Council of Rectors, held in the Legislative Palace of Montevideo, the signing of an agreement was formalized. Framework Collaboration Agreement between AUIP and AUGMThis agreement was signed by the president of AUGM, rector of the National University of Concepción (Paraguay), and by the general director of AUIP, representing the president of the association.
The objective of this agreement is to strengthen collaboration in the area of postgraduate programs, academic mobility and research projects between universities in Latin America, generating synergies that benefit students, teachers and research groups on both sides of the Atlantic.
In practice, this type of agreement translates into calls for joint scholarships, joint supervision of doctoral theses, interuniversity master's degrees and research stays that broaden opportunities for those who wish to pursue part of their postgraduate studies at another university in the region.
Master's scholarships in contemporary Latin American studies and conditions
In the field of specialized master's degrees in Latin America, one of the most noteworthy calls for applications is that of the Master's scholarships in Contemporary Latin American Studiesmanaged by foundations that support advanced training for students from the region at Spanish universities.
These scholarships usually operate under a exclusive dedication regimeThis means they are incompatible with any other financial aid or scholarship from Spanish institutions or companies. The aim is for the scholarship recipient to be able to fully concentrate on their studies without depending on other sources of funding.
In the case of mandatory academic internships that are part of the master's degree program, each case is analyzed individually to determine its compatibility with the scholarship conditions. Generally, curricular internships are permitted as long as they do not involve remuneration that contradicts the established framework.
The foundations that award these scholarships maintain a regular monitoring The academic performance of the beneficiaries is monitored in coordination with the university institutions. Attendance, participation, and progress in the subjects are verified to ensure that the expected level of success is achieved.
One of the most important commitments that the scholarship recipient assumes is to return to their country of origin or to any other country in the Ibero-American Community of Nations, except SpainOnce the scholarship has ended, this requirement aims to ensure that the knowledge acquired benefits the student's home community.
If a breach of these conditions or those established in the commitment letter that the scholarship recipient must sign upon accepting the grant is detected, or if it is verified that contributions were made inaccurate data during the selection processThe foundation may determine the immediate termination of the scholarship and demand the return of all funds received.
This framework of requirements seeks to preserve equity in access to scholarships, ensuring that aid reaches those who truly need it, and Maximize the impact of investment in talent within the Latin American region itself.
Taken together, the ecosystem of universities in the Americas and the collaborative networks with Europe create a scenario where, by combining information on institutions, programs, and scholarships (OAS, UOC, AUIP, master's foundations, American and Caribbean universities, etc.), a student can chart a powerful educational path: starting with a degree in their country, accessing specialized master's degrees or research programs thanks to inter-American scholarships and, subsequently, consolidate an academic or professional career with international projection without losing the link with their regional context.
