RESUMO
In 1997, the Chilean Government and the International Bank for Development convened on a strategy to improve Chilean university education. It was based on quality improvement, effectiveness, relevancy and innovation on university education programs. A US$ 245 millions fund was afforded, for a five years competitive grants program, among certain traditional Universities and Technical Education Institutes. The authors reviewed the projects that won the contests during the first three years in the health area, to determine their impact, demands supported, difficulties and assets. These projects obtained 13.6 percent of the assigned funds (a total of US$ 16.5 millions). Funds were requested mostly to build spaces, obtain equipment, laboratories and computational support. Funds were also requested to carry out methodological changes and teaching improvements. The importance of teaching health sciences in locations outside the Metropolitan area of Santiago, the modification of undergraduate medical curriculum and the development of post graduate networks are emphasized