History

UC MEXUS was established at UC Riverside in 1980 as an academic research institute committed to binational research collaboration and academic exchange. It provided support to members of the UC community working with Mexico across different campuses, departments, institutes, and offices. An agreement with Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) provided joint funding for research collaboration, but this agreement expired in 2020. (Note: This agency was later renamed the National Council of Humanities, Science, and Technology, CONAHCYT, in 2023.)

 

Under the joint funding agreement, UC MEXUS and CONACYT provided seed funding for collaboration through three main programs: Collaborative Grants for joint projects by UC and Mexican researchers, Postdoctoral Fellowships to support binational research exchanges, and Doctoral Fellowships for Mexican nationals to complete their doctoral degrees in the UC system. UC MEXUS also supported a scholar in residence program, small grants and fellowships, and supplemental funding opportunities.

Alianza MX will no longer announce applications for UC MEXUS grants or fellowships.

For archived information on programs organized and supported by UC MEXUS, please see below.

For information on current opportunities for UC research collaboration with Mexico, please contact AlianzaMXResearch@ucr.edu.

Programs

Collaborative Grants

From 1998 to 2020, UC MEXUS-CONACYT Collaborative Grants provided one UC researcher and one researcher from a Mexican partner institution with $25,000 in funding support for one year. Each team completed a binational project in basic or applied collaborative research, instructional development, or public service and education. Many awardees used the support to develop projects that were later funded by their own institutions or by other sources.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

From 2002 to 2020, UC MEXUS-CONACYT Postdoctoral Fellowships provided recipients with one to two years of funding to participate in research projects at a host UC campus or Mexican institution. Fellows completed research in most academic disciplines except the arts (excluded from CONACYT’s mandate at that time). Fellows were also encouraged to connect their research with projects supported by the UC MEXUS Collaborative Grants Program.

Doctoral Fellowships

From 1998 to 2020, UC MEXUS-CONACYT Doctoral Fellowships provided Mexican students with five years of funding to complete their doctoral degrees at any UC campus. Fellows completed degrees in most academic disciplines except the arts (excluded from CONACYT’s mandate at that time). Funding support was provided by CONACYT in Year 1 through Year 3 of their studies, by UC MEXUS in Year 4, and by their host UC campus in Year 5.

Additional Information

For questions regarding active funding opportunities, or for more information on previous UC MEXUS grants or fellows, please contact Alianza MX.