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MEC and Fiocruz Open 600 Spots in the PROFSAÚDE Master’s Program for Those Working in the SUS. Free Health Courses, Selection with Exam, Resume, and Interview. Applications Until 03/06/2026.
If you work in healthcare and are caught up in the hustle of Primary Care, you know how it is: the demand doesn’t stop, the SUS needs prepared people, and amid all this, there’s still that dream of pursuing a master’s degree. The good news is that the MEC, together with partner institutions like Fiocruz, has opened a selection process for the PROFSAÚDE, offering free courses (yes, free courses and applications!) and spots spread across the entire country to strengthen health and education within the SUS.
We are talking about the Professional Master’s in Family Health (PROFSAÚDE), which is arriving with Class 6 and 600 spots available in all Brazilian states.
Spots in a Master’s Course Designed for Those on the Front Lines of Family Health
The selection process is detailed in the Selection Notice | Class 6 of the Professional Master’s in Family Health (PROFSAÚDE), with offerings expected for the first semester of 2026.
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The goal here is not “just studying for the sake of studying.” The notice clearly states that the program aims to train masters in Family Health for work in Primary Health Care (APS) throughout Brazil, strengthening the SUS as a public policy and as a real need of the country.
And there’s an important detail: the program is present across the entire national territory and operates in a network with 50 institutions, including 44 Higher Education Institutions (IES) and 6 units of Fiocruz.
Objective of the Free Course and Workload: How It Works in Practice
The PROFSAÚDE aims to train professionals from the SUS who are already working in the Family Health Strategy / Primary Health Care (ESF/APS), preparing for activities such as health care, teaching, mentoring, knowledge production, and management in Family Health.
In terms of format, the course is not 100% in-person nor completely distance learning: it combines in-person moments and remote activities. According to the notice, the structure includes 9 in-person meetings, as well as telepresence activities and tasks developed in the Virtual Learning Environment (AVA).
The total workload is 975 hours, with an expected duration of 18 to 24 months.
And since this type of postgraduate program requires constant support, the notice emphasizes that candidates must be willing to participate in all course activities, which is formalized in a specific commitment term.
Free Courses Offered by MEC and Fiocruz: What Is Being Offered in This Notice?
Here it goes without unnecessary details and repetitions: the notice offers one course, with spots distributed across various institutions in Brazil.
Offered Course:
- Professional Master’s in Family Health (PROFSAÚDE)
Available Spots and Where the Course Takes Place (Throughout Brazil)
The notice opens 600 (six hundred) spots in total, distributed across two target audience groups:
- 400 spots for doctors from the More Doctors for Brazil Program (PMMB)
- 200 spots for multidisciplinary health professionals
Additionally, there are 17 additional spots designated for Internal Qualification Programs (PQI) in specific institutions. And take note: these spots are extra, meaning they do not compete with open competition or affirmative action.
Distribution by Region (For You to Get a Real Sense of the Map)
The vacancy chart in the notice shows the division by region, with the number of IES and total vacancies:
- Northern Region: 10 IES / 125 spots
- Northeastern Region: 18 IES / 217 spots
- Central-Western Region: 6 IES / 67 spots
- Southern Region: 11 IES / 129 spots
- Southern Region: 5 IES / 62 spots
And one point that many people get wrong: you should choose only one (01) institution to apply.
Is There a Scholarship? Is There a Benefit? What Does the Notice Say?
It’s important to be very clear: the notice informs that the application and the course are free, but does not indicate any scholarship or financial benefit such as monthly payments for students.
In other words: the confirmed advantage in the document is the free process and course — which is already significant for those seeking to qualify without incurring tuition fees.
How the Selection Process Works and Who Can Use the Affirmative Action Spots
Yes, there are spots reserved for affirmative actions in all associated institutions.
In total, the notice reserves 55% of the spots in both groups (PMMB and multidisciplinary) for affirmative actions, following the National Norm for Spot Reservation of the PROFSAÚDE, formulated in accordance with Portaria GM/MS No. 5.801/2024 from the Ministry of Health.
Who Can Compete for Spots in Affirmative Actions?
The spots are directed to historically discriminated groups, such as:
- black people (both black and brown)
- indigenous people
- quilombolas
- people with disabilities
- trans people
The detailed distribution is as follows:
For doctors from the PMMB (400 spots):
- 179 general competition
- 221 affirmative actions (121 black, 20 indigenous, 20 quilombola, 40 with disabilities, 20 trans)
For multidisciplinary professionals (200 spots):
- 87 general competition
- 113 affirmative actions (62 black, 10 indigenous, 10 quilombola, 21 with disabilities, 10 trans)
And there’s more: depending on the institution, there may be a heteroidentification board for black candidates and a psychosocial evaluation for candidates with disabilities, according to the specifics of the vacancy chart.
Selection Stages: How the Candidate Will Be Evaluated
The selection process occurs in stages, which include:
- Written/Discursive Exam
- Analysis of the Lattes Curriculum
- Interview
In other words: it’s not a lottery. The candidate needs to demonstrate knowledge in the exam, present their background in the resume, and pass the interview.
Requirements for Application
To participate, candidates must be Brazilian residing in Brazil or foreigners in a legal situation in the country, holding a graduation diploma recognized by the MEC (medicine for PMMB spots or one of the accepted health areas for multidisciplinary spots).
In addition to demonstrating a link and involvement in Primary Care/ESF/APS or in functions directly related to APS, submitting the mandatory documentation in PDF (including ID, CPF when necessary, professional council registration, Lattes Curriculum in PDF, and signed digital terms).
It’s important to remember that the application also requires a minimum setup like a computer and internet, as the notice reinforces that institutions are not responsible for technical failures that prevent proper submission within the deadline.
Complete Schedule of the Selection Process: Dates You Cannot Miss
Here is the official schedule from the notice, with dates and times (Brazil Time):
- 11/29/2025: Release of the notice (starting at 8:30 AM)
- 01/05 to 03/06/2026: Application period (until 11:59 PM on the last day)
- 03/27/2026: 1st stage – Written/Discursive Exam (9 AM to 1 PM)
- 04/22 to 05/04/2026: 2nd stage – Analysis of the Lattes Curriculum
- 05/18 to 05/26/2026: 3rd stage – Interview (schedule provided by the IES)
- 05/29/2026: Result of the 3rd stage (starting at 10 AM)
- 07/22/2026: Overall result (starting at 10 AM)
- 07/23 to 07/31/2026: Enrollment (timing confirmed with the IES)
- 08/11/2026: Start of classes (days and times confirmed with the IES)
Applications: How to Participate and Secure Your Spot
The notice also advises that the step-by-step process and the exact link vary depending on the chosen institution, so candidates should check directly on the Vacancy Chart and the IES website.
And here’s a reminder that’s worth its weight in gold: since the notice makes it clear that institutions are not responsible for technical problems with the candidate’s computer or internet, it’s best not to leave it until the last day.
At the end of the course, the student may request their master’s diploma, also respecting specific requirements of the institution (such as proof of proficiency in a foreign language in some cases).
Now tell me: are you going to try this opportunity? If this master’s program makes sense for you or someone on your health team, don’t keep this information to yourself. Share it with anyone working in APS, ESF, management, or SUS education — because opportunities like this don’t come around often.
Comment below: Do you intend to apply? Which state/IES do you want to compete for? And if you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I’ll help you understand the notice!
Bem sou uma pessoa 100 Cento sus amo essas iniciativas mais me aposentei próximo da Pademia poderia ter continuar no trabalho mas minha mãe ficou doente e tive que cuidar dela. Hoje comecei a e reciclar ao mercado de trabalho. Fui acs por 20 anos e tenho formação como assistente social e nunca trabalhei como assistente social acho que o trabalho do acs fica bem próximo sim quando fizemos visita domiciliar. Entre outros encaminhamentos. Trabalhar em equipe multidisciplinar é algo muito importante é maravilhoso.
Tenho interesse em me inscrever e fazer o mestrado.
Tenho interesse, sou do Sul do Brasil