Ilum School of Science offers a free undergraduate degree program with room, board and transportation guaranteed for accepted students
The Ilum School of Science, the higher education institution of the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), is accepting applications for its 2026 admissions process until December 15. Application is free of charge, like the program itself, including the academic activities and benefits offered to students.
Ilum offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Technology, an interdisciplinary, three-year undergraduate program constructed to provide solid scientific training combined with hands-on research experience. Students have access to the infrastructure on the CNPEM campus in Campinas, São Paulo, which is a national and international reference.
One of the institution’s distinguishing features is the fact that it is 100% free to apply as well as participate in the program. Admitted students also receive housing, meals, transportation, a personal computer, English classes and psychological support. The syllabus prioritizes both human and academic development, offering close monitoring and opportunities to participate in scientific projects from the very start of the program. The innovative curriculum proposal is already yielding concrete results: the student dropout rate for the first two graduating classes has been approximately 5%, while over the last 10 years in Brazil only 39% of students entering higher education completed their course programs by 2024, according to data from the Anísio Teixeira National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (INEP).
“We strive for an active, project-centered approach. Here, students spend 50% of their time in laboratories. We teach the fundamental concepts of math, chemistry, biology, physics, data science and humanities, but the student learns to solve problems and is not restricted to theory in these subjects,” said school director Adalberto Fazzio.
Applying to Ilum involves three stages:
- Expression of interest: candidates send in their personal details by December 15 and describe their background, motivations and affinity for science and technology.
- ENEM score: 250 candidates with the bestscores on the National High School Exam (ENEM) are selected. This stage is scheduled to begin on January 19.
- Individual interviews: students who pass the previous phase are invited to participate in individual remote interviews with Ilum’s teaching staff from January 22 to 30.
The Ilum School of Science offers a total of 40 slots, with 50% reserved for students graduating from public high schools. The list of successful candidates is scheduled to be announced on February 2, 2026.
