The District Agency for Higher Education, Science and Technology (Atenea) announced the official opening of the 2025 call for the Youth for Higher Education in Public Institutions program, a strategy that seeks to facilitate the entry and permanence of young people in higher education.
With an investment of 152,000 million pesos, the initiative is aimed at those who will begin studies in the first half of 2026 in public institutions in the city. For the last edition of the year, of the line of access to public institutions, The district will offer 2,600 places in public universities and 940 additional places in technical and technological programs of the National Learning Service (Sena), strengthening education scenarios for work and human development.
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The strategy focuses on institutions such as the Francisco José de Caldas District University, the National University of Colombia, the National Pedagogical University, the Central Technical Institute Technological School (Etitc) and the Capital District Regional Sena, where resources will be allocated to student well-being, teacher strengthening, modernization of learning environments and promotion of science, technology and innovation projects.
According to the director of Atenea, Víctor Saavedra, “this line of the program complements and strengthens public higher education by expanding the educational offer in Bogotá. Likewise, it provides comprehensive support, economic support and services that promote academic continuity, increasing the possibilities of graduation for thousands of young people. Students will have new opportunities to study, they have already achieved the quota, now this support is so that they can meet economic needs that strengthen their presence in the classrooms.”
The benefit It is aimed at young people up to 28 years old residing in Bogotá, graduates of schools in the city and admitted to the 2026-1 academic periods. in public institutions linked to the program. The specific requirements to access vary depending on the type of program or institution, and include being in grade 11 calendar A, having been admitted or being in the admission process, not being a university graduate or beneficiary of similar funds, and registering on Atenea’s Sicore platform on the established dates.
For applicants to Sena programs, in addition to the general criteria, it is required not to be enrolled in another technical, technological or university degree during 2025.
The registration platform, available at https://sicore.agenciaatenea.gov.co/#/login, requires interested parties to create a username and password, complete their resume, and upload the requested documents. Once the information has been validated, the system will notify the registered email of the successful application.
The process will be open from November 24, 2025 and will close on December 26, 2025. The results will be available on January 7, 2026, the formalization of benefits can be done until January 31 and classes will begin in January or February 2026.
The program presents a variety of benefits for those selected, focused on their comprehensive well-being and educational permanence. Among these are:
- Delivery of food baskets
- Academic tutoring
- Psychosocial support
- Mental health services
- Vocational guidance
- Financial support equivalent to a current legal monthly minimum wage (smmlv) per semester.
- Additionally, depending on the availability of each institution, In-kind support will be offered such as transportation through the TransMilenio system
Regarding institutional strengthening, in agreement with Atenea, the universities and training centers that are part of the program will carry out actions such as providing computer equipment, curricular updating, teacher training in a second language, academic exchanges, strengthening scientific ecosystems and improving educational infrastructure.
At the Francisco José de Caldas District University, The programs include redeemable vouchers for food, connectivity through SIM CardsTransMilenio recharges and strategies for psychological and physical well-being.
In addition, projects are prioritized for the improvement of artistic spaces, virtual attention and technological updating, as well as the expansion of the virtual academic offer in strategic areas for the development of the city. A notable component is the strengthening of the Science, Technology and Innovation (CTeI) ecosystem through the CeDIA (District Center for R&D&I in Artificial Intelligence and Convergent Technologies).
For your partat the National University of Colombia, the model contemplates the implementation of comprehensive tutoring, semester-long food and transportation support, development of inclusive pedagogical tools, adaptation of sports settings and consolidation of scientific ecosystems focused on artificial intelligence, bioeconomy and medicine and health.
The Central Technical Institute Technological School will develop incentives for permanence such as valet cards for food and clothing, academic reinforcements and modernization of laboratories.
In the Sena Regional Capital District, The beneficiaries will have support for transportation, food and connectivity, in addition to comprehensive actions for capacity development and attention to poor academic performance.
The National Pedagogical University will guide actions through transportation support, tutoring, second language training, psychosocial support, adaptation of spaces and improvement of infrastructure.
