Top Scholarships for Spain 2026: Full Guide

Spain offers a wide range of scholarships for international students, from fully funded government programmes to university-specific merit awards. The MAEC-AECID programme funds approximately 250 scholars per year from developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Erasmus+ provides mobility grants of €300 to €450 per month for European students. The La Caixa Foundation funds 120 postgraduate fellowships annually worth up to €18,000 each. Fundación Carolina awards around 500 scholarships per year specifically for Latin American students. Add university-specific awards, regional government grants, and private foundation funding, and the total available scholarship pool reaches tens of millions of euros annually. This guide covers every major programme with concrete eligibility criteria, amounts, and deadlines.

Finding scholarships for Spain requires looking beyond a single database. Spanish funding comes from four main 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), and individual universities. Each source has different eligibility rules, application processes, and timelines. We break down the most significant programmes below.

For a broader overview of studying in Spain, visit our complete Spain study guide. For cost details, see our Spain costs guide. For visa information, check our student visa guide.

1. MAEC-AECID Scholarships — Spanish Government Flagship

The Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación (MAEC), through the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID), runs Spain's main government scholarship programme for citizens of developing countries. This programme funds master's and doctoral studies, as well as research stays and Spanish language courses.

What MAEC-AECID Covers

• Full tuition at participating Spanish universities
• Monthly stipend of approximately €600 to €1,200 depending on the programme level
• Health insurance during the scholarship period
• Return airfare (economy class) from your home country
• Visa support and documentation assistance

Eligibility

• Citizens of eligible developing countries (list published annually by AECID, covering Africa, Asia, Latin America, and parts of Eastern Europe)
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent for master's scholarships
• Master's degree for doctoral scholarships
• Maximum age: typically 35 for master's, 40 for PhD
• Spanish language proficiency (B2 or higher for Spanish-taught programmes)
• No prior AECID scholarship in the same academic cycle

Application Timeline

Applications typically open in January for the following academic year (starting September). The deadline falls in March or April. Results are announced in June or July. Apply through the AECID online portal. Approximately 250 scholarships are awarded annually.

2. Erasmus+ — Mobility Grants for European Students

Erasmus+ is the European Union's programme for education, training, and youth. It funds study exchanges and internships across Europe. If you are a student at a university in an EU member state, EEA country, or Erasmus+ partner country, you can study in Spain for one semester or one academic year with financial support.

What Erasmus+ Covers

• Monthly grant: €300 to €450 per month depending on the cost of living difference between your home and host country
• No tuition fees at the Spanish host university (you continue paying your home institution's fees)
• Additional top-up of €150 to €250 per month for students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Green travel supplement: €50 lump sum plus up to four additional travel days for eco-friendly transport

Eligibility

• Enrolled at a university in an Erasmus+ Programme Country (all EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Turkey, North Macedonia, and Serbia)
• Completed at least one year of study (for bachelor's students)
• Your home university must have an Erasmus+ bilateral agreement with a Spanish university in your field
• Nominated by your home institution's international office

Application Process

You apply through your home university's international office, not directly to the Spanish university. Deadlines vary by institution but are typically in February to April for the following academic year. Your home institution selects and nominates candidates. The Spanish host university then confirms acceptance.

3. La Caixa Foundation Fellowships

The Fundación La Caixa (now Fundación "la Caixa") runs one of Spain's largest private scholarship programmes. It offers postgraduate fellowships for study at Spanish universities and research centres, as well as fellowships for Spanish students to study abroad.

INPhINIT Doctoral Fellowships

• 35 incoming fellowships per year for international doctoral students at Spanish research centres
• Duration: 3 years
• Funding: salary of approximately €26,000 to €29,000 per year (gross)
• Additional allowances for relocation and conference attendance
• Open to all nationalities
• Deadline: typically January to February

Postgraduate Fellowships

• 120 fellowships per year for master's or PhD studies at universities in Spain, Portugal, and other European countries
• Covers tuition (up to €18,000), monthly stipend, travel, and insurance
• Open to citizens of Spain, Portugal, and any country worldwide (depending on the specific call)
• Deadline: typically February to March

4. Fundación Carolina — Latin American Focus

The Fundación Carolina is Spain's primary scholarship programme for students from Latin America and other Spanish-speaking countries. Founded in 2000, it has funded over 18,000 scholars from across the Americas.

What It Covers

• Full tuition at participating Spanish universities
• Monthly living allowance: €800 to €1,300 depending on the programme
• Return airfare
• Health insurance
• Visa processing support

Programmes Available

Programme Type	Number of Awards	Duration	Target Group
Full master's scholarships	~300/year	10–24 months	Latin American graduates under 35
Short-term research stays	~100/year	3–6 months	Latin American doctoral students and researchers
Doctoral scholarships	~50/year	Up to 3 years	Latin American master's holders
Postdoctoral stays	~30/year	3–6 months	Latin American researchers with PhD

Eligibility and Deadlines

Applicants must hold citizenship of a Latin American country (or in some calls, other developing countries). The main call opens in February with a deadline in April. You apply online through the Fundación Carolina portal. Results are announced in June to July.

5. Spanish Government General Scholarships (MEC/MECD)

The Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional) offers general scholarships (Becas Generales) based on financial need and academic merit. These are primarily for Spanish and EU residents, but some categories are open to non-EU students with legal residence in Spain.

What They Cover

• Tuition exemption: Full coverage of matrícula fees at public universities
• Living allowance: €1,600 to €2,500 per year (variable component based on income)
• Residence supplement: €1,500 per year for students studying away from their family home
• Academic excellence bonus: €50 to €125 per credit for students with high grades

Eligibility

Open to Spanish citizens, EU nationals, and non-EU nationals with permanent residence in Spain or a family income below the threshold. The income threshold is set nationally each year (approximately €14,000 to €20,000 for a single-person household). Apply through the Ministry of Education's online portal. Deadline is typically May to June for the following academic year.

6. University-Specific Scholarships

Many Spanish universities offer their own scholarship programmes for international students. These range from small fee reductions to full-tuition awards.

Universitat de Barcelona (UB)

• UB Grants for International Master's Students: Partial tuition waivers (25–50%) for students with strong academic records
• Approximately 50 awards per year
• Apply directly through the UB admissions portal

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)

• UC3M Merit Scholarships: Tuition reductions of 25–100% for international undergraduate and master's students
• Based on academic grades and entrance exam scores
• Around 100 scholarships awarded annually

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)

• UAM International Excellence Scholarships: Tuition waivers for highly ranked applicants
• Preference for students from partner universities and Erasmus+ exchange students

IE University (Segovia/Madrid)

• IE Talent and Diversity Scholarships: 25–100% tuition coverage for undergraduate and master's students
• Strong emphasis on diversity, leadership experience, and entrepreneurship
• Separate application required alongside the admissions process

7. Regional Government Scholarships

Several autonomous communities offer their own scholarships:

Basque Country

• The Basque Government offers scholarships for international students enrolled at UPV/EHU (Universidad del País Vasco)
• Covers tuition and provides a modest living allowance
• Prioritizes students from Latin America and developing countries

Catalonia

• AGAUR (Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca) administers research and doctoral grants
• The FI-AGAUR doctoral grants fund approximately 300 PhD positions per year across Catalan universities
• Open to all nationalities

Other Regions

Andalusia, Valencia, and Madrid each run fee-reduction programmes for students meeting specific income criteria. Check your host university's scholarship office for region-specific opportunities.

8. ICEX Scholarships (Trade and Business)

ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones offers scholarships for young professionals and recent graduates interested in international trade and commerce. The programme includes a master's degree at a Spanish business school followed by a paid internship at a Spanish trade office abroad.

• Duration: 18 months (academic year + internship)
• Monthly stipend during the internship phase
• Tuition at partner business schools partially or fully covered
• Open to EU citizens and graduates from partner countries
• Deadline: typically December to January

9. Santander and BBVA Bank Scholarships

Spain's major banks fund significant scholarship programmes:

• Becas Santander: Multiple programmes covering study abroad, internships, languages, and skills training. Apply through becas-santander.com. Over 30,000 awards globally per year across all categories.
• BBVA Foundation Scholarships: Research grants and doctoral fellowships in science, technology, and social sciences. Fewer awards (approximately 50 per year) but generous funding: up to €35,000 per year for doctoral research.

10. Fulbright Spain (US Students)

The Fulbright Commission in Spain offers approximately 30 grants per year for US citizens. These include:

• Study/Research Grants: For US graduate students to conduct research or enrol in a master's programme at a Spanish university. Covers a monthly stipend of approximately €1,200 to €1,500, round-trip travel, and health insurance. Duration: 9 to 12 months.
• English Teaching Assistantship (ETA): US graduates assist in teaching English at Spanish primary or secondary schools. Monthly stipend of approximately €1,000 plus housing assistance. Duration: one academic year.

Applications open in April for the following academic year. The deadline is typically in October. Apply through the Fulbright Program's US application portal. Competition is strong — approximately 300 applicants for 30 positions. Strong Spanish language skills and a clear research proposal increase your chances significantly.

11. Other International Programmes

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

EU-funded doctoral and postdoctoral research fellowships. Spanish research centres participate actively in MSCA networks. Funding covers a living allowance of approximately €3,400 per month plus mobility and family allowances. These are among the best-funded research positions in Europe. Apply through the EU MSCA portal during annual calls (typically September to January).

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

For students from developing countries (primarily Central and South Asia, East Africa). Covers tuition and living expenses on a 50% grant / 50% loan basis. Applicable to study at any accredited university, including Spanish institutions. Contact the Aga Khan Foundation representative in your country.

DAAD Scholarships (German Students)

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for German students to study abroad, including in Spain. Annual scholarships (Jahresstipendien) cover €1,000 per month plus travel and insurance. Short-term grants are available for research stays of 1 to 6 months. Apply through the DAAD portal — deadlines vary by programme.

How to Write a Winning Scholarship Application

A strong application has three elements: a clear academic or professional narrative, concrete evidence of achievement, and a specific connection to the scholarship's mission.

The Motivation Letter

Keep it to one page (400 to 500 words). Open with a specific experience that sparked your interest in studying in Spain. Explain what you will study, why Spain specifically, and how the scholarship enables your goals. Close with what you will contribute after graduation. Avoid vague statements about "broadening horizons" or "gaining international experience." Name specific professors, research groups, or industry connections at your target university.

Reference Letters

Choose referees who know your work. A professor who supervised your thesis is better than a department head who barely knows you. Give referees at least four weeks. Provide them with your CV, your motivation letter, and the scholarship's criteria so they can tailor their letter.

Academic Transcripts

Many Spanish scholarships require transcripts converted to the Spanish grading scale (0 to 10). Use the ANECA equivalence tables or ask your university's international office. A GPA of 3.5/4.0 in the US system is approximately 8.0/10.0 on the Spanish scale. Have transcripts officially translated by a sworn translator if they are not in Spanish or English.

Scholarship Application Tips

1. Start 12 months early: Major programmes (MAEC-AECID, La Caixa, Fundación Carolina) have deadlines in January to April for September starts.
2. Apply to multiple programmes: Scholarship rates are competitive. Apply to at least five different programmes to increase your chances.
3. Get your documents apostilled early: Academic transcripts, degree certificates, and recommendation letters may need apostilles and sworn translations into Spanish.
4. Write programme-specific motivation letters: Generic letters are obvious. Reference the specific foundation's mission, values, and alumni network in each application.
5. Demonstrate Spanish language skills: Even for English-taught programmes, showing DELE B1 or B2 certification strengthens your application significantly.
6. Contact the university scholarship office: Many awards are not widely advertised. The international office at your target university can point you to opportunities specific to your profile.

Scholarship Calendar: Key Deadlines

Scholarship	Application Opens	Deadline	Results
MAEC-AECID	January	March–April	June–July
Erasmus+ (via home university)	November–January	February–April	May–June
La Caixa INPhINIT	October	January–February	April–May
La Caixa Postgraduate	November	February–March	May–June
Fundación Carolina	February	April	June–July
MEC General Scholarships	March	May–June	October–November
ICEX	November	December–January	March
University-specific awards	Varies	Varies (typically March–June)	Varies

Alternative Funding Sources

Beyond formal scholarships, several other funding routes can reduce your costs:

• Fee waivers for financial hardship: Spanish public universities offer partial or full tuition exemptions for students from low-income households, large families (familia numerosa), students with disabilities (33%+ recognized disability), and victims of gender-based violence. These are automatic if you qualify — submit documentation during enrolment.
• University employment: Research assistantships, library positions, and administrative roles at Spanish universities pay €6 to €10 per hour. These jobs also build your professional network within the institution.
• Language assistant programmes: The Auxiliares de Conversación programme, run by Spain's Ministry of Education, places native English speakers in Spanish schools as conversation assistants. Monthly stipend: approximately €700 to €1,000 for 12 to 16 hours per week. This is technically a teaching role, but many participants combine it with part-time master's studies.
• Home-country scholarships: Many countries maintain scholarship databases for students studying abroad. German students should check the DAAD database. UK students should check the British Council. Indian students should check the UGC and MHRD scholarship portals. These often fund study at any accredited university abroad, including Spanish institutions.
• Crowdfunding and microscholarships: Platforms like GoFundMe, Scholarship Owl, and Bold.org list small scholarships ($500 to $5,000) that can supplement your main funding. While individually small, three or four microscholarships add up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest scholarship for studying in Spain?

For international students from developing countries, MAEC-AECID is the most significant government programme, covering tuition, living costs, flights, and insurance. For Latin American students, Fundación Carolina is the largest with approximately 500 awards per year. For doctoral research, La Caixa INPhINIT offers the highest individual funding at approximately €26,000–€29,000 per year for three years.

Can US students get scholarships for Spain?

Yes. US students can apply for Fulbright Spain grants (approximately 30 per year for research and teaching assistantships), university-specific merit awards at institutions like IE University and UC3M, and Becas Santander programmes. The MAEC-AECID programme does not include the US as an eligible country. Check Fulbright Spain for current deadlines.

Are there scholarships for English-taught programmes?

Yes. La Caixa, IE University, and several public universities offer scholarships for English-taught master's and doctoral programmes. Many Erasmus+ agreements cover English-taught courses. The key is to apply to the university first and then separately to the scholarship programme. English-taught programmes at public universities tend to have fewer scholarship options than Spanish-taught ones.

Do I need to speak Spanish to get a scholarship?

For MAEC-AECID and Fundación Carolina, Spanish proficiency (B2 or higher) is usually required because most funded programmes are taught in Spanish. For La Caixa doctoral fellowships and university-specific awards for English-taught programmes, Spanish is not mandatory. Erasmus+ does not require Spanish, but basic knowledge improves your experience. Having a DELE certificate always strengthens your application.

Can I combine multiple scholarships?

Sometimes. Most government scholarships (MAEC-AECID, MEC General) prohibit holding another government scholarship simultaneously. However, you can often combine a government scholarship with a university fee waiver or a private foundation grant. Check the specific terms of each programme. Fundación Carolina explicitly prohibits combining with other public funding for the same purpose.

What GPA do I need for Spanish scholarships?

Requirements vary. MAEC-AECID and Fundación Carolina focus more on development impact and professional experience than raw grades. La Caixa expects strong academic records (typically top 10–15% of your class). University merit scholarships at UC3M and IE require a GPA equivalent to 7.5/10 or higher on the Spanish scale. Convert your grades using the Spanish ANECA equivalence system.

When should I start applying for scholarships?

Start 12 to 18 months before your intended start date. If you plan to begin in September 2026, start researching in late 2025 and submit your first applications in January 2026. Many major deadlines fall between January and April. Document preparation (apostilles, translations, reference letters) takes 4 to 8 weeks, so factor that into your timeline.

Are PhD programmes in Spain funded?

Most doctoral programmes at public universities offer some form of funding through FPU grants (Ministry of Education), FPI grants (Ministry of Science), FI-AGAUR (Catalonia), or La Caixa INPhINIT. These typically cover a salary of €16,000 to €29,000 per year for three to four years. Unfunded PhD positions exist but are less common at research-active institutions. Apply to the funding programmes separately from your PhD admission.

Next Steps

The scholarship landscape in Spain rewards early, thorough applicants. Start with the major government and foundation programmes, then check your target university's scholarship page for institution-specific awards. Prepare your documents well in advance — apostilles and translations take time. Apply to at least five different programmes to maximize your chances.

For comprehensive information about studying in Spain, explore our complete Study in Spain guide, including guides on costs and funding, admissions and applications, and programmes and universities.