Evolution is a central theme in the Biological Sciences and our motivation to create the Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology was to foster a rich academic environment that would allow researchers to integrate traditional concepts and cutting-edge technology to solve evolutionary questions. Our program obtained a seal of approval from CAPES (Education Ministry Brazil) in December 2010. Prospective candidates for master’s and doctoral programs may apply for annual or semi-annual selection processes. The selection process includes curriculum analysis, a presentation followed by an interview of the research project to be developed, an English test and, in the case of Master’s program, an Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology exam.