Your complete guide to government, foundation, and university scholarships for international students – with amounts, typical application windows, and everything you need to apply.
76 UNIVERSITIES IN SPAIN
€1,400 ERASMUS MUNDUS MONTHLY STIPEND
~600 FUNDACIÓN CAROLINA AWARDS / YEAR
€24K FPU DOCTORAL ANNUAL SALARY
Why Spain Is Worth Your Attention
Spain has quietly become one of Europe’s most compelling destinations for international students – and not only because of its universities.
The combination of academic rigour, genuine cultural richness, a relatively affordable cost of living compared to Northern European capitals, and a growing ecosystem of well-funded scholarships has made it a serious contender for students from every continent.
Spain is home to some of Europe’s oldest institutions – the University of Salamanca was founded in 1134 – alongside consistently highly ranked modern research universities: the University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Madrid, Complutense University of Madrid, Pompeu Fabra University, and the University of Valencia all feature in global top-500 rankings.
All operate within the European Higher Education Area, meaning degrees are internationally recognised across Europe and beyond.
For the practical-minded: cities like Valencia and Granada offer a quality of life that many students describe as transformative, at a monthly cost that remains considerably lower than London, Paris, or Amsterdam.
The climate, the food, the cultural calendar, and the genuine openness with which international students are received complete a picture that is difficult to argue with.
And then there are the scholarships – which, across all levels of study and from multiple distinct sources, add up to one of the more generous funding landscapes available to international students anywhere in Europe.
What Fully Funded Scholarships Actually Cover
The term “fully funded” is used loosely in scholarship listings — so it is worth being precise about what Spain’s major programmes actually provide. The most comprehensive awards, such as MAEC-AECID and Erasmus Mundus, typically include all of the following:
TUITION FEES: 100% coverage at public institutions; partial coverage at private ones in some programmes
MONTHLY STIPEND: €1,000-€1,400/month depending on programme and level of study, covering accommodation and living costs
HEALTH INSURANCE: Comprehensive medical coverage for the full duration of the scholarship
TRAVEL COSTS: Round-trip airfare included in MAEC-AECID, Fundación Carolina, and several Erasmus programmes
SETTLING-IN ALLOWANCE: One-time relocation support available through Erasmus Mundus and certain foundation awards
RESEARCH FUNDING: FPU/FPI doctoral contracts and La Caixa fellowships include dedicated research budgets beyond the stipend
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Most Spanish government scholarships (MAEC-AECID, MEC General) prohibit holding another government scholarship simultaneously.
However, combining a government scholarship with a university fee waiver or private foundation grant is often permitted – check the specific terms of each programme carefully. Fundación Carolina explicitly prohibits combining with other public funding for the same purpose.
Spain’s Key Scholarship Programmes
Spain’s scholarship landscape draws from four distinct funding sources: the national government (through MAEC-AECID and the Ministry of Education), the European Union (Erasmus+ and Marie Curie), private foundations (La Caixa, Fundación Carolina, BBVA, Santander, Iberdrola), and individual universities. Here are the most significant programmes.
MAEC-AECID Scholarships
SPANISH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS · SPANISH AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
Spain’s flagship government programme for international students, managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AECID. Funds master’s, postgraduate, and research studies for citizens of Latin America, Africa, the Philippines, and selected partner countries. The programme prioritises fields aligned with Spain’s international cooperation goals: development, human rights, and sustainability. Benefits include full tuition, a monthly stipend of approximately €1,200, round-trip airfare, and health insurance. Age limits typically apply: 35 for master’s applicants, 40 for doctoral candidates. Applications for master’s programmes generally open in spring each year – verify exact dates at the official AECID portal.
~€1,200/MO
TYPICALLY SPRING
MASTERS · PHD
Fundación Carolina
FUNDACIÓN CAROLINA · MADRID
One of Spain’s most respected scholarship institutions, Fundación Carolina awards around 600 scholarships per year for master’s, doctoral, and short research stays. The programme is primarily aimed at students from Ibero-American countries, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal, and has expanded in recent cycles to include applicants from Africa and Asia for certain categories. Benefits typically include tuition, round-trip airfare, a monthly living stipend, and health insurance. Calls typically open in January each year and close around March or April. All applications are processed via the official website: fundacioncarolina.es
600+ / YEAR
JAN–APR
MASTERS · PHD
La Caixa Foundation Fellowships
LA CAIXA BANKING FOUNDATION · BARCELONA
Among the most prestigious and competitive funding opportunities in Spain. La Caixa offers two main programmes: the INPhINIT Doctoral Fellowships for PhD candidates in STEM and life sciences, and the Junior Leader Postdoctoral Fellowships for researchers of any nationality wishing to do a postdoc at a Spanish institution. The foundation funds approximately 120 postgraduate fellowships annually, worth up to €18,000 each. INPhINIT applications typically open in autumn; Junior Leader applications usually close in late September each year. Highly selective – treat this as a top-tier competitive award and prepare accordingly.
UP TO €18K
AUTUMN
PHD · POSTDOC
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)
EUROPEAN UNION · ERASMUS+ PROGRAMME
One of the world’s best-known and most generous scholarship programmes for master’s students. EMJMD supports joint degrees involving consortia of European universities, including many leading Spanish institutions in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville. Students pursue studies at two or more partner universities across Europe. Coverage is comprehensive: full tuition, a monthly stipend of €1,400, round-trip travel costs, and a settling-in allowance. Open to all nationalities, with non-European applicants prioritised. Over 120 programmes have Spanish partner institutions. Applications typically open each autumn with deadlines in December–February for September starts.
€1,400/MO
DEC-FEB
MASTERS
FPU / FPI Predoctoral Contracts
SPANISH MINISTRY OF UNIVERSITIES / MINISTRY OF SCIENCE
These four-year contracts are arguably Spain’s best value for PhD students. Rather than a scholarship, FPU (Formación del Profesorado Universitario) and FPI (Formación de Personal Investigador) awards are employment contracts, paying approximately €24,000 per year – a salary, not a stipend. Recipients benefit from full social security coverage, research funding, and a funded three-month international stay. International students are eligible if they meet academic requirements and are enrolled in a Spanish doctoral programme. Calls typically open in the first half of the year via the Ministry’s official portal.
€24K / YEAR
H1 EACH YEAR
PHD · 4 YEARS
Barcelona School of Economics Scholarships
BARCELONA SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS · BARCELONA
The BSE ranks among the top economics schools in continental Europe and offers fully funded, merit-based scholarships for international master’s students across Economics, Finance, Data Science, and specialised tracks. The scholarship process is integrated with the admissions cycle – strong applicants are automatically considered. Applications open each autumn for the following September intake, with priority deadlines typically in January.
FULL TUITION
JAN PRIORITY
MASTERS
Iberdrola International Master’s Scholarships
IBERDROLA FOUNDATION
Focused specifically on energy, engineering, and the digital economy, Iberdrola provides generous master’s scholarships at top Spanish universities. An excellent option for students in technical fields with a clear career direction in sustainable energy or digital transformation. Calls typically open in spring each year. Because Iberdrola scholarships are less widely publicised than government programmes, competition – while still serious – is comparatively less intense.
ENGINEERING
SPRING
MASTERS
Typical Application Windows
The months below reflect the typical annual rhythm of each programme. Exact dates shift slightly year to year – always verify on each programme’s official portal before applying. Enrolment generally starts in September or October of the application year.
| PROGRAMME | TYPICAL APPLICATION WINDOW | LEVEL | WHO IS ELIGIBLE |
| La Caixa Junior Leader | September-October | Postdoc | All nationalities |
| Erasmus Mundus EMJMD | October-February | Master’s | All nationalities (non-EU priority) |
| La Caixa INPhINIT (PhD) | Autumn-January | PhD | All nationalities |
| Barcelona School of Economics | October-January (priority) | Master’s | All nationalities |
| Fundación Carolina | January-March/April | Master’s · PhD | Ibero-America, Africa, Portugal |
| FPU Predoctoral Contracts | First half of the year | PhD (4 years) | International + Spanish |
| Iberdrola Scholarships | Spring (March-April) | Master’s | International students |
| MAEC-AECID | Spring-Summer | Master’s · PhD | Latin America, Africa, Philippines |
How to Apply: Step by Step
The application process varies between programmes, but follows a broadly consistent structure. Here is what to prepare – and what to get right.
- →Choose programme and university first. Identify which scholarship matches your level of study, nationality, and field. Shortlist at least three to five programmes – scholarship acceptance rates for top awards like MAEC-AECID and Erasmus Mundus run between 5-15%, and La Caixa is more selective still. Diversify your applications.
- →Confirm language requirements early. MAEC-AECID and Fundación Carolina typically require Spanish B2 (DELE certificate preferred) since most funded programmes are taught in Spanish. La Caixa doctoral fellowships and university-specific awards for English-taught programmes do not require Spanish, but showing DELE B1 or B2 always strengthens any Spanish application.
- →Get your documents apostilled. Academic transcripts, degree certificates, and recommendation letters may require official apostilles and sworn translations into Spanish. This process can take weeks – start it immediately, not at the last moment.
- →Write a programme-specific motivation letter. Generic letters are immediately apparent to selection committees. Reference the specific foundation’s mission, values, alumni network, and how your project or research aligns with their goals. Each letter should feel like it could only have been written for that programme.
- →Secure strong recommendation letters. Two to three academic or professional references are standard. Brief your referees well in advance – share the scholarship’s criteria with them so they can address selection points directly rather than writing a generic character endorsement.
- →Contact the university scholarship office. Many university-specific awards are not widely advertised publicly. The international office at your target institution can point you to opportunities specific to your academic profile, faculty, or research group that never appear in general scholarship databases.
- →Submit online before the deadline – not on it. Technical issues, server overload on submission day, and missing documents are common causes of otherwise strong applications failing. Aim to submit a full week before the stated deadline.
Tips That Actually Make a Difference
#1: Start 12 months early
Begin preparation a full year ahead
Major programmes – MAEC-AECID, La Caixa, Fundación Carolina – have deadlines between autumn and spring for September starts. That means preparation must begin no later than the preceding summer. Students who start researching in January for a same-cycle application are already behind.
#2: Apply to five or more
Never stake everything on one application
Acceptance rates for top Spanish scholarships range from 5-15%. A genuinely strong candidate with an excellent academic record and a compelling research project should apply to at least five programmes across government, foundation, and university categories simultaneously.
#3: Know your GPA
Academic merit is the primary filter
Most scholarships use academic record as their first screening criterion. University scholarships often require a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent. For La Caixa and MAEC-AECID, being in the top 10-15% of your graduating class is a realistic benchmark for competitive applicants.
#4: Learn some Spanish
Even basic Spanish strengthens every application
Even for English-taught programmes, demonstrating initiative in learning Spanish signals genuine commitment to integration. A DELE B1 certificate is noticed – and Spanish B2 is required for most MAEC-AECID and Fundación Carolina programmes.
#5: Target less-known awards
Look beyond the headline programmes
Iberdrola, regional government grants (Catalonia, Andalucía, Valencia all run their own programmes), faculty-specific fellowships, and institutional research contracts offer excellent funding with significantly less competition than flagship national awards. Ask specifically at your target university.
#6: Prepare for the interview
Shortlisting is not the finish line
Many competitive scholarships – La Caixa, some MAEC-AECID tracks – include interviews or presentations. Be ready to discuss your academic goals, research plan, and how the scholarship fits your longer-term trajectory with clarity and specificity. Practise out loud with someone who will challenge you.
Spain Is Ready. Are You?
Fully funded scholarships in Spain are genuinely available – and genuinely competitive. The landscape spans government cooperation programmes, prestigious private foundations, EU-backed joint degrees, and individual universities, offering funded pathways at bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels across virtually every academic discipline.
What determines whether a strong candidate succeeds is rarely the quality of their academic record alone. It is the quality of their preparation: starting early, applying broadly, writing letters that speak directly to each programme’s specific mission, and treating the process with the same rigour that will serve them throughout their academic career.
Spain combines genuinely world-class education, a European degree with global recognition, and a quality of life that consistently surprises students who arrive expecting a gap year and discover instead a place they want to stay.
If you are considering studying abroad, and you are willing to prepare seriously, Spain belongs near the top of your list.
Sources and Official Portals:
- AECID – Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo. Official MAEC-AECID scholarship portal, eligibility criteria, and application procedures. aecid.es/becas-y-lectorados
- Fundación Carolina. Official scholarship programmes, eligibility, and online application portal. fundacioncarolina.es
- La Caixa Foundation. INPhINIT Doctoral Fellowships and Junior Leader Postdoctoral Fellowship programmes. fundacionlacaixa.org/becas
- European Commission – Erasmus+ Programme. Official Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees catalogue, stipend amounts, and programme search tool. erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
- Spanish Ministry of Universities (Ministerio de Universidades). FPU predoctoral contract calls, eligibility requirements, and official application portal. universidades.gob.es
- Barcelona School of Economics. Merit-based scholarship information, admission requirements, and programme overview. https://bse.eu/masters-degrees/admissions
- Study-Abroad.org. Top Scholarships for Spain: Full Guide — comprehensive breakdown of MAEC-AECID, La Caixa, Fundación Carolina with award amounts and eligibility detail. study-abroad.org
- Spanish Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports. Becas MEC general scholarship programme and eligibility framework. https://www.educacionfpydeportes.gob.es/portada.html
- European University Association. European Higher Education Area – documentation on degree recognition across EHEA member states. https://www.eua.eu/
- QS World University Rankings. Rankings for University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Madrid, Pompeu Fabra University, and Complutense University of Madrid. topuniversities.com
