SNII — National System of Researchers (Sistema Nacional de Investigadoras e Investigadores)
Supports national researcher recognition in Mexico through annual designation and stipend-based researcher pathways.
The Sistema Nacional de Investigadores e Investigadoras (SNII) is Mexico's principal mechanism for recognizing and financially supporting active researchers across all scientific and technological disciplines. Administered by SECIHTI — the successor to CONACYT — the program designates qualifying researchers as Investigador Nacional at levels ranging from Candidato through levels I, II, III, and Emérito, with each level carrying a monthly stipend paid as a supplement to the researcher's institutional salary. Historically the program has supported more than 40,000 active researchers nationally, making it the largest single SECIHTI program by beneficiary count.
The SNII operates on an annual call model covering both new applicants and renewals. Eligibility is limited to individual researchers employed at public higher education institutions or public research centers in Mexico; private-sector researchers may apply only if their institution holds an active SNII collaboration agreement with SECIHTI. Peer evaluation is conducted by discipline-specific committees, with research output — publications, patents, and other products — serving as the primary metric for designation level assignment.
The SNII stipend is not a project grant but a career-stage recognition supplement paid on a rolling monthly basis. Researchers seeking the designation or renewal must apply individually — organizations do not apply on behalf of individuals. Full 2026 call details, including specific deadlines and documentation requirements in Spanish, are published at secihti.mx/snii/convocatorias-snii/. Researchers should monitor that page for the current convocatoria and prepare CVs and output lists in the required format before the annual submission window opens.
All scientific and technological research disciplines — annual individual researcher recognition and monthly stipend across career levels from Candidato to Emérito at Mexican public institutions.
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