Sciences Po opens regional hub in São Paulo

Sciences Po is expanding its global footprint with the opening of a regional office in São Paulo, Brazil. Hosted by the France-Brazil Chamber of Commerce (CCIFB) with the support of Business France, this new hub marks a significant step in deepening the institution’s ties with Latin America and the Caribbean.

The office is designed to consolidate existing partnerships and develop new collaborations with universities, research centres, public institutions and private-sector actors across the region. It will also serve as a gateway for students and researchers from Latin America interested in joining Sciences Po, and as a local contact point for alumni already based there.

A well-established academic network

Over the years, Sciences Po has built a strong and structured presence in Latin America and the Caribbean. The institution now works with 48 partner universities across the region and offers five double degrees or integrated BA-MA programmes with Latin American institutions. Each year, around 450 Latin American and Caribbean students enrol at Sciences Po, underscoring the growing appeal of its programmes in the social sciences.

Mobility also flows in the other direction. Every year, around 130 Sciences Po students complete an exchange semester in the region, while some 80 students undertake internships there in public institutions, NGOs, companies or international organisations.

In addition, 5% of Sciences Po’s recent graduates now begin their professional careers in Latin America or the Caribbean, reflecting both the dynamism of the region and the strength of the institution’s ties with local ecosystems.

Research at the heart of the new São Paulo office

The research dimension is central to this new regional presence. The São Paulo hub is tasked with strengthening academic cooperation, encouraging the mobility of researchers and PhD candidates, and raising the profile of joint research projects conducted with universities in the region.

To do so, Sciences Po relies in particular on the Observatory of Political Affairs in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPALC), which is part of the CERI research centre.

OPALC brings together faculty members, researchers and students working on the political dynamics of the continent, through analyses, publications and action-research projects.

One example is its partnership with Transparencia por Colombia, focused on governance, transparency and citizen participation.

By reinforcing its on-the-ground presence, Sciences Po aims to intensify scientific dialogue between Europe and Latin America around key contemporary challenges such as democratic resilience, environmental transitions, social inequalities and economic transformation.

Connecting students, alumni and economic actors

Beyond academia, the new office forms part of a broader strategy to connect Sciences Po’s community with regional economic stakeholders.

Its location within the France-Brazil Chamber of Commerce places Sciences Po at the crossroads of business networks, entrepreneurial initiatives, and institutional partners from both countries.

The ambition is twofold: to support the professional integration of graduates on the Latin American continent and to strengthen an international alumni network capable of opening doors for future generations.

The São Paulo hub is intended to become a key contact point for graduates wishing to establish or advance their careers in the region, as well as for local partners seeking profiles trained in public policy, international affairs and responsible management.

A strategic step for a world-class university

For Luis Vassy, Director of Sciences Po, the opening of this regional office in São Paulo represents a strategic turning point.

The new hub will help promote Sciences Po’s programmes more effectively across Latin America, deepen cooperation with academic and scientific partners, and support alumni as they build their careers on the continent.

This new presence also reflects Sciences Po’s long-term commitment to a diverse and pivotal region, seen as essential to international dialogue and cooperation, which lie at the heart of the institution’s mission.

It is fully aligned with the development strategy of a selective, world-class university that welcomes students from more than 150 nationalities every year and places international openness at the core of its identity.