Funding Crisis · IPN PhD Researchers · UK

Our Funding Was Cut.
Without Warning. Without Support.

Thirty nine Mexican PhD researchers at UK universities have had their stipends stopped without explanation. We are exposing what is happening, and demanding urgent action.

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IPN PhD researchers in the UK

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39
Researchers Affected
2
UK Universities
0
Official Explanations

What Happened

A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

In 2022, Fundación Politécnico and Instituto Politécnico Nacional formed a partnership with UK universities, offering outstanding graduates a fully-funded 4-year PhD programme at Queen Mary University of London and Durham University, covering tuition fees and a monthly stipend.

On 23 March 2026, all 39 researchers received a notification from Fundación Politécnico stating that their funding would be suspended 'temporarily and preventively', with no timeline, no support plan, and no direct communication from IPN. PhD MEX UK exists to make this visible — and to hold those responsible to account.

Payments Stopped Without Notice

Stipends were abruptly suspended, leaving researchers without income overnight, no warning, no timeline, and no support plan provided.

An Uncertain Future

UK universities and SECIHTI, with support from the Mexican Embassy in the UK, are working to find solutions, but neither Fundación Politécnico nor the IPN has formally responded.

Visas & Legal Status at Risk

Without income, many researchers face the threat of losing their visa status, putting their entire academic future in jeopardy.

No Accountability So Far

Neither Fundación Politécnico nor the Instituto Politécnico Nacional has formally accepted responsibility. We are demanding transparency and urgent remediation.

Chronology

How Did We Get Here?

From the IPN internationalisation programme to the funding suspension, a full timeline of key events.

2022 — The Call
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Dec 2021 – 2022 · Mexico City

Partnership begins

The Call for Students

Fundación Politécnico and IPN launched a call for outstanding graduates to join a fully-funded 4-year PhD programme at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), covering tuition fees and a monthly stipend. Following selection, students faced a long, stressful, and poorly managed process to relocate to the UK. Additional calls were later launched, eventually including Durham University. Over three years, the programme grew to 39 Mexican PhD students.

See original IPN post →
2023 — Honorary Doctorate
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March 2023 · London

Underpayment raised

Facing Reality

Despite being presented as a fully-funded scholarship, students found themselves living in one of the most expensive cities in the world while receiving only ~67% of the recommended living stipend. Students formally raised this issue with Fundación — and were denied. Shortly after, the IPN Director received an honorary doctorate from QMUL. Students were uninvited from the ceremony following a tense meeting with Fundación's then-president Jesús Padilla, during which financial concerns were raised. Students were reprimanded by the Dean for Global Engagement.

QMUL-IPN honorary doctorate announcement →
June 2024 — Hostile environment
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June 2024 · London & Mexico City

Hostile environment escalates

Threatened for Speaking Up

As new students arrived in the UK and faced financial vulnerability due to insufficient stipends, a second request for increased funding was submitted. Fundación not only denied this request but warned students against speaking negatively about the programme, threatening expulsion. Students were also informed of a mandatory symposium where they would be required to work without pay, being referred to as 'ambassadors.'

Symposiums 2024-2025
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Summer 2024 & Summer 2025 · London

Unpaid labour

Mexican Symposiums — Money for Some, Not for Others

The Mexican Symposium was held in two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025, as part of an entrepreneurship and leadership initiative. Approximately 120 students in 2024 and 79 in 2025 were brought from Mexico to London for three-week programmes, accommodated in university dormitories and provided with £600 stipends. In contrast, PhD researchers were informed that no funding was available to support their basic living expenses and were asked to serve as staff while also presenting their work during the first symposium. During an informal dinner, the foundation’s president, Jesús Padilla, was reportedly overheard making dismissive remarks about PhD students who had requested financial supp

QMUL 2024 Symposium article → QMUL 2025 Programme article →
Ángel's case 2025
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May – Dec 2025 · London

Scholarship revoked

Ángel's Case — Expelled After Raising Concerns

Ángel, a student funded in 2023, experienced academic harassment from his supervisor during his first year. He sought psychological support and filed a formal complaint, which was upheld, requiring a change of project. Despite informing Fundación, he received no support. His stipend payments were subsequently stopped. After months of financial hardship and vulnerability, Ángel was expelled from the programme and forced to return to Mexico, with a two-year suspension and loss of his visa.

Watch Ángel's testimony (Instagram) →
August 2025 — IPN Fundación breakdown
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August 2025 · Mexico City

Institutional breakdown

IPN Severs Ties With Fundación Politécnico

Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) terminated its relationship with Fundación Politécnico in what appeared to be a unilateral decision, raising serious concerns regarding the allocation and management of funds originating from IPN. Students were not contacted nor notified that this will affect them in the future.The mails that they sent to ask for this situation were never answered.

Read the conflict →
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23 March 2026 · UK

Funding suspended

The Crisis Begins

All 39 PhD researchers received formal notice from Fundación Politécnico stating that funding would be suspended 'temporarily and preventively' due to internal operational and financial issues. Subsequent communications referenced the breakdown of agreements between IPN and Fundación in August 2025. No timeline, contingency plan, or support measures were provided. They just recommended applying for SECIHTI scholarships.

23 March 2026 — Crisis begins

Click image to see the full notification received by students

Latest

News & Updates

Mar 2026

Fundación Politécnico suspends funding to 41 IPN PhD researchers in the UK without explanation

Researchers received a single email citing 'preventive' reasons, no timeline, no emergency support, and no formal response from IPN. Students replied separately to understand what was happening. Fundación replied to some but not to everyone.

Fundación Politécnico email response to students Click to read Fundación's response email
Crisis
Apr 2026

Mexican Embassy and SECIHTI engage UK universities to seek emergency solutions, but the solutions are not providing a confirmed scholarship nor effective immediately.

Diplomatic and institutional channels have been activated — but IPN and Fundación Politécnico remain silent.

Diplomatic
Apr 2026

Students send collective letter to Fundación Politécnico and IPN — no response received

The 39 affected PhD researchers sent a formal collective letter to both Fundación Politécnico and the Instituto Politécnico Nacional demanding an urgent response, a restoration of funding, and a clear plan of action. To date, neither institution has replied.

No Response

Evidence

Watch & Share

Videos produced by Fundación Politécnico and IPN promoting this partnership — while PhD researchers were left without support.

IPN Promotion

International agreements for IPN

Official IPN video promoting the international partnership programme with UK universities.

Media Coverage

Channel 11 Documentary

Documentary coverage of the IPN–QMUL partnership on Mexico's Channel 11.

Fundación Promotion

Fundación Politécnico — Programme Promotion

Promotional video by Fundación Politécnico about the scholarship programme.

Take Action

Every Signature
Demands an Answer.

We are preparing a formal petition to demand that Fundación Politécnico and Instituto Politécnico Nacional restore funding immediately and provide a formal explanation. Sign up below to be notified when it launches.

Petition — Coming Soon

We are currently preparing the petition. Check back soon.

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