The Spanish Government, mainly through MAEC-AECID (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation / Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development) and other national/state programs, offers scholarships for international students and researchers. These programs aim to support academic specialisation, research capacity, bilateral cooperation, and global mobility. Eligible levels include Master’s, Doctorate (PhD), and Postdoctoral research. Some programs may consist of Bachelor’s or official vocational training, but most fully funded government-level scholarships focus on postgraduate and research stages.
Key Programs & Types
Some major scholarship programmes include:
MAEC-AECID Scholarships
These cover Master’s, Doctorates, postgraduate training, and research stays. Regional/subject-specific or bilateral priority (often targeting Latin America, Africa, Asia, and non-EU countries).
Examples: MAEC-AECID “Programa Máster” for Latin American, Filipino applicants, etc.
“General State Scholarships” (Becas Generales del Estado)
These often provide funds for university tuition and academic fees, and sometimes living aid, for international or EU/EEA students under specific conditions. These are primarily for regular university & postgraduate studies.
Research / Postdoctoral Fellowships
Spain has prestigious schemes for postdoctoral researchers, such as the Juan de la Cierva (early-stage postdoctoral contracts) and Ramón y Cajal (for more established researchers), which offer funding, salaries, and research support.
Other Fully Funded Scholarships via Foundations or Cooperating Agencies
E.g., Fundación Carolina (for Latin America) sometimes covers tuition, living, and research mobility.
What These Scholarships Typically Cover (Benefits)
While coverage varies by programme, many of the Spanish government or cooperation-agency scholarships offer:
Full tuition fees or tuition waivers for public institutions.
Monthly stipend/living expenses (varies with programme, level, cost of living).
Health insurance (sometimes included) or support in that matter.
Travel/relocation grants (in some cases), especially for international students.
Research grants or mobility funding for PhD and Postdoc programmes.
Eligibility Criteria
Some standard eligibility requirements (subject to specific call) are:
Be from an eligible country (often developing countries, non-EU, or countries with bilateral agreements) for MAEC-AECID and cooperation scholarships.
Hold relevant prior degree: Bachelor’s for Master’s, Master’s for PhD, PhD (or experience) for Postdoc.
Meet academic merit requirements (transcripts, sometimes minimum GPA).
Some language requirement: Spanish or English, depending on the programme. Also, sometimes knowledge of Spanish is required for certain universities.
Submit documents like letters of recommendation, research proposal (for PhD / Postdoc), proof of degree, sometimes proof of public service or employment (in some MAEC-AECID cases).
Deadlines & Application Process
Deadlines vary by programme. Many MAEC-AECID “Máster” scholarship calls open in the first quarter of the year (around February-March) for studies starting in the fall/winter semester.
Applications are typically submitted via the online portals of the Spanish ministries (Foreign Affairs / Education / Cooperation) and via the scholarship office of the university or institution. Documents required include eligibility proof, academic records, proposals, and sometimes financial status.
Challenges
Not all programs are fully funded in every case. Some scholarships cover tuition but offer partial living support. Always check the specific call.
For postdoctoral or Ramón y Cajal/Juan de la Cierva positions, competition is high and the selection criteria are strict.
Living costs in Spain vary significantly by region; stipends may not always cover all costs.
Sometimes, only for certain nationalities, many Spanish government scholarships target Latin America, Africa, Asia, or developing countries.
Language of instruction or bilingual requirement may apply.
Value:
| Level | What might be covered |
| Master’s | Tuition fees, monthly stipend (~€800-€1,200 depending on location), health insurance, travel support, and some housing support |
| PhD | Salary or stipend for researcher (~€1,200-€1,800 or more), full tuition waiver, research project funding, travel/conference grants |
| Postdoctoral | Fixed salary contract, research funding, travel & mobility, sometimes lab/materials budget |
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