Scholarships for International Postgraduate Students in Spain (2026)

Funding a postgraduate degree abroad is one of the biggest concerns for international students. Spain offers a range of scholarships specifically designed for students from Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. Some cover full tuition and living expenses; others provide partial support that can significantly reduce your costs.

This guide covers the major scholarship programs available in 2026, organized by who can apply, what they cover, and when you need to submit your application. We focus on programs that are open to international students — not just EU citizens — and include both government-funded and privately funded options.

Government Scholarships

MAEC-AECID Scholarships (Becas MAEC-AECID)

The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC), offers one of the most comprehensive scholarship programs for international students in Spain.

Eligibility:

• Citizens of priority countries for Spanish international cooperation (most of Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe)
• Not citizens of EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, or other high-income OECD members
• Applicants must hold a university degree
• Age limit varies by program type (typically under 35 for master's, under 40 for PhD)

What it covers:

• Tuition: Full or partial coverage at partner universities
• Monthly stipend: Approximately EUR 1,200-1,500 per month for living expenses
• Health insurance: Included
• Travel: Round-trip airfare to Spain in most cases
• Duration: 1-2 academic years depending on the program

Application timeline:

• Call for applications typically opens: January-February
• Application deadline: Usually March-April
• Results announced: June-July
• Programs start: September-October

How to apply:
Applications are submitted through the AECID online platform. You must select specific programs at specific universities from a pre-approved list. Strong academic records, a clear research or professional plan, and relevant experience improve your chances.

Competitiveness: High. Thousands of applicants compete for a limited number of spots. The selection considers academic merit, the quality of your study proposal, your country of origin (priority countries), and your professional potential.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)

Erasmus Mundus is a European Union program that funds joint master's degrees offered by consortia of European universities. Many of these programs include Spanish universities.

Eligibility:

• Open to students from any country worldwide
• Must hold a bachelor's degree (or demonstrate equivalent academic level)
• Must not have previously received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship
• Language requirements vary by program (English is common)

What it covers (for non-EU "partner country" students):

• Tuition: Fully covered (valued at up to EUR 9,000 per year)
• Monthly stipend: EUR 1,400 per month for the entire duration of the program
• Travel costs: Lump sum contribution to travel (EUR 2,000-3,000 depending on distance)
• Health insurance: Included
• Installation costs: One-time contribution

What it covers (for EU students):

• Tuition coverage (lower rate)
• Monthly stipend of approximately EUR 1,000 per month

Application timeline:

• Applications typically open: October-November (for programs starting the following September)
• Deadlines: Most programs close in January-February
• Results: March-May

How to apply:
Each Erasmus Mundus program has its own website and application process. Search the Erasmus Mundus catalogue for programs that include Spanish universities. Applications go directly to the program consortium, not to individual universities.

Spanish universities in Erasmus Mundus programs include UAB (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona), UPV (Universitat Politecnica de Valencia), UC3M (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid), Universidad de Granada, and others. Programs span engineering, environmental science, social sciences, humanities, and more.

Spanish Government Scholarships (Ministerio de Educacion)

The Spanish Ministry of Education offers becas generales (general scholarships) that cover tuition fees for students enrolled in official university programs in Spain.

Eligibility:

• Registered in an official Spanish master's or doctoral program
• Income thresholds apply (designed for students with limited financial resources)
• Academic performance requirements
• Open to both Spanish and international students who are legal residents in Spain

What it covers:

• Tuition fees: Full or partial coverage
• Supplementary amounts: Additional grants based on academic performance (up to EUR 2,000+)
• No living stipend: This scholarship covers tuition, not living expenses

Application timeline:

• Applications open: Typically March-April each year
• Deadline: May-June
• Results: November-December (retroactive for the current academic year)

Important note: You generally need to already be enrolled in a Spanish university to apply. This scholarship is more accessible to students already in Spain than to first-time applicants from abroad.

Foundation and Private Scholarships

Fundacion Carolina Scholarships

Fundacion Carolina is one of the most recognized scholarship providers for postgraduate study in Spain, specifically targeting students from Latin America and other Spanish-speaking or historically connected regions.

Eligibility:

• Citizens of Ibero-American countries (Latin America, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and in some cases the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea)
• Some programs are open to nationals of other countries with historical ties to Spain
• Must hold a university degree
• Maximum 2 years since completing previous degree (for some categories)
• Must not currently reside in Spain

What it covers:

• Tuition: Full coverage at partner Spanish universities
• Monthly stipend: Approximately EUR 900-1,100 per month
• Health insurance: Included
• Round-trip airfare: Included
• Duration: 1-2 academic years

Categories:

• Master's scholarships: For official master's programs at Spanish universities
• Doctoral scholarships: For PhD programs (less common, more competitive)
• Short-term research stays: For faculty and researchers (2-3 months)
• Institutional scholarships: Co-funded with specific universities and companies

Application timeline:

• Call for applications: February-March
• Application deadline: March-April (varies by program)
• Results: May-June
• Programs start: September-October

Competitiveness: Very high for popular programs (business, law, public policy). Less competitive for technical and scientific fields. A strong motivation letter, clear career plan, and alignment with the foundation's development goals improve your chances significantly.

La Caixa Foundation Fellowships

The La Caixa Foundation (now part of Fundacion "la Caixa") offers prestigious postgraduate fellowships for study in Spain and internationally.

Eligibility:

• Open to students from any nationality
• For the "Postgraduate in Spain" program: Must apply to an official master's or doctoral program at a participating Spanish university
• Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree within the last 5 years (for master's) or hold a master's for doctoral fellowships
• Strong academic record required (typically top 15-20% of cohort)

What it covers:

• Tuition: Full coverage (up to EUR 18,000 per year)
• Monthly stipend: EUR 1,100 per month (12 months per year)
• Travel: Relocation allowance
• Health insurance: Included
• Language training: Spanish courses covered if needed
• Leadership development: Access to La Caixa Fellows network, workshops, and mentoring

Application timeline:

• Applications open: January-February
• Application deadline: February-March
• Interviews: April-May (for shortlisted candidates)
• Results: May-June
• Programs start: September

Number of awards: Approximately 120 fellowships per year for postgraduate study in Spain (across all fields and universities).

Selection process: Highly competitive. Includes document review, online assessment, and in-person interviews. La Caixa values academic excellence, leadership potential, social commitment, and international profile.

University-Specific Scholarships

Many Spanish universities offer their own scholarship programs for international students. These vary widely in amount and eligibility but are worth exploring:

IE University (Madrid/Segovia)

• Merit-based scholarships covering 20-100% of tuition
• Diversity scholarships for underrepresented regions
• Application: Through the IE admissions process

ESADE Business School (Barcelona)

• Merit and need-based scholarships
• Partial tuition reductions (typically 20-50%)
• Application: As part of the ESADE program application

Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB)

• Scholarships for international master's students
• Amount varies by program and faculty
• Some co-funded with government programs (MAEC-AECID, Fundacion Carolina)

Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (UAM)

• International student scholarships for official master's programs
• Fee reductions and living support available
• Collaborations with embassies and cultural organizations

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)

• Excellence scholarships for international master's students
• Fee reductions of 25-100% depending on academic record
• Application: Through UC3M admissions

Universidad de Barcelona (UB)

• Limited scholarships for international postgraduate students
• Tuition fee reductions available
• Some programs have specific funding from research grants

Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV)

• International cooperation scholarships
• Reduced tuition for students from partner countries
• Some fully funded positions linked to research projects

Tip: Always contact the specific department or faculty of your target program. Research groups often have funded positions for doctoral students that are not advertised centrally on the university website.

Regional and Community Scholarships

Several Spanish autonomous communities (regions) offer their own funding:

• Basque Government Scholarships: For students in Basque Country universities
• Catalonia AGAUR Grants: Research grants for doctoral students in Catalan universities
• Andalucia Talentia Program: For researchers and postgraduate students in Andalusian institutions
• Community of Madrid Scholarships: Supplementary grants for students at Madrid universities

Check the education department of the autonomous community where your university is located.

External and International Scholarships Applicable in Spain

Several international organizations fund postgraduate study that can be used at Spanish universities:

• Fulbright (US citizens): Grants for US students to study in Spain. Covers tuition, living expenses, and travel.
• Chevening (UK government): For future leaders from Chevening-eligible countries. Can be used at select Spanish institutions.
• DAAD (Germany): Some programs allow study in third countries including Spain.
• OAS (Organization of American States): Scholarships for citizens of OAS member states, including programs in Spain.
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB): Scholarships for citizens of IsDB member countries, applicable at some Spanish universities.
• Your home country's government: Many countries offer scholarships for citizens studying abroad. Check with your national ministry of education or foreign affairs.

How to Maximize Your Chances

Apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously. Do not rely on a single application. The most successful students apply to 3-5 programs.

Start early. Most scholarship deadlines fall between January and April for programs starting in September. Begin researching and preparing materials at least 6 months in advance.

Write a strong motivation letter. This is often the differentiating factor. Be specific about why Spain, why this program, and how it connects to your career goals. For guidance, see our guide to writing a statement of purpose for Spanish universities.

Get strong recommendation letters. Academic references from professors who know your work well carry more weight than letters from senior figures who barely know you. See our guide to recommendation letters.

Demonstrate impact potential. Many scholarships (especially MAEC-AECID and Fundacion Carolina) prioritize candidates who plan to return to their home countries and contribute to development. Frame your application accordingly.

Check language requirements early. Some programs require Spanish proficiency (DELE B2+) even for English-taught programs. Plan for language exams well in advance.

Keep your documents ready. Apostilled and translated academic documents take time. Start the process early so you do not miss scholarship deadlines. See our translation requirements guide.

Scholarship Calendar at a Glance (2026)

Scholarship | Application Opens | Deadline | Results

Erasmus Mundus | Oct 2025 | Jan-Feb 2026 | Mar-May 2026

MAEC-AECID | Jan 2026 | Mar-Apr 2026 | Jun-Jul 2026

Fundacion Carolina | Feb 2026 | Mar-Apr 2026 | May-Jun 2026

La Caixa | Jan 2026 | Feb-Mar 2026 | May-Jun 2026

Ministerio de Educacion | Mar 2026 | May-Jun 2026 | Nov-Dec 2026

University-specific | Varies | Varies | Varies

Key Takeaways

• Spain offers significant scholarship funding for international postgraduate students from government, foundation, and university sources
• MAEC-AECID and Fundacion Carolina are the largest programs for students from Latin America, Africa, and Asia
• Erasmus Mundus is open to students from any country and offers generous funding
• La Caixa fellowships are among the most prestigious and well-funded in Spain
• Most deadlines fall between January and April for September start dates
• Apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously and start preparing at least 6 months early
• A strong motivation letter, clear career plan, and development impact story are the keys to competitive applications