MAEC-AECID Scholarships – Programa Máster (Spain)

Overview

The MAEC-AECID Scholarships under the Programa Máster are funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), which sits within Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC). They give public servants and people working inside public systems in a set of Latin American countries and the Philippines the chance to study a full-time master's degree in Spain. The idea behind the program is simple: strengthen people and the public institutions they work for, so the benefit flows back home after the studies finish.

This is a long-running program. The 2025/2026 round was the 78th edition of the scheme, with a budget of roughly €1,981,100 and around 90 new grants expected. Because it is tied to Spain's bilateral cooperation strategy, the list of eligible countries is fixed each year and the focus stays on candidates who are already part of public administration or public systems. It is not a general open-to-all scholarship, so reading the official call (the "Bases de la Convocatoria") carefully matters more here than for most awards.

If you are a public employee from one of the eligible countries and you want a master's at a Spanish university with financial support behind it, this program is worth a serious look. The application window is short and predictable, opening early in the year, so the work pays off when you prepare ahead of the call rather than scrambling once it opens.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC)
Host Country	Spain
Degree Levels	Master's
Value	Covers the academic costs of the master's plus living support (monthly stipend); some modalities add health and travel support. Round budget about €1,981,100, with roughly 90 scholarships expected for 2025/2026.
Deadline	Annual call, usually opening in the first quarter. The 2025/2026 window ran 20 February – 6 March 2025.
Eligible Nationalities	Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Philippines
Official Website	aecid.es/becas-y-lectorados

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

You need to be a citizen of one of the eligible countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, or the Philippines. These are countries included in Spain's bilateral cooperation strategies, and the list can shift slightly from one call to the next, so check the current call before you assume.

Professional status

The Programa Máster targets public employees and people integrated into public systems in their home country. This is the defining feature of the program. If you do not have a connection to public administration or a public system, this specific modality is likely not for you, and you should look at other AECID lines instead.

Study plan

The scholarship is for full-time, in-person master's study carried out in Spain. You generally need a master's program in mind that fits the program's purpose of building public-sector capacity, and the studies should be done on site in Spain rather than online.

Academic background

You need a completed undergraduate degree that gives you access to master's-level study. Exact academic thresholds and document requirements are set in the official call each year, so confirm them there rather than relying on general guidance.

What the Scholarship Covers

• The academic costs of the master's program in Spain
• A monthly stipend to support living costs while you study
• Health coverage support in some modalities of the program
• Travel support in some modalities of the program
• Access to a structured, government-backed program with a long track record (the 2025/2026 round was the 78th edition)

Because benefits vary by modality, treat the official call as the source of truth for exactly which costs are covered in your case.

How to Apply

1. Read the official call. Find the current "Bases de la Convocatoria" on the AECID website and in the Official State Bulletin (BOE). It lists eligible countries, requirements, documents, and deadlines for that year.
2. Confirm your eligibility. Check your nationality is on the list and that your public-employee or public-system status fits the program.
3. Choose your master's program. Identify a full-time, in-person master's in Spain that matches the program's purpose and your professional path.
4. Prepare your documents. Gather identity, academic, and professional papers, plus anything the call specifically asks for, in the required format.
5. Apply online through AECID. Submit through the AECID electronic headquarters (sede electrónica) during the open window. The 2025/2026 window ran 20 February to 6 March 2025.
6. Submit before the deadline. The window is short, often around two weeks, so do not wait for the last day.
7. Watch for the results. Follow AECID announcements and the BOE for selection results and any next steps.

Required Documents

• Valid passport or national identity document
• Undergraduate degree certificate and academic transcripts
• Proof of public-employee status or integration into a public system
• Admission or pre-admission to a master's program in Spain, where required by the call
• Curriculum vitae
• Any motivation or supporting statements requested in the call
• Translations of documents where the call requires them

Key Dates & Deadlines

Stage	Timing
Call published in BOE	18 February 2025 (2025/2026 round)
Application window	20 February – 6 March 2025 (2025/2026 round)
Typical opening	First quarter of the year, annually

Future rounds follow a similar early-year pattern, but exact dates change each cycle. Always confirm against the current published call.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Start before the call opens, since the window is short
• Make the link between your public-sector role, your chosen master's, and the program's goal of building institutional capacity explicit
• Pick a master's that clearly fits your professional development
• Follow the document format and language requirements in the call exactly
• Keep proof of your public-employee status ready and current

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming you qualify without confirming both nationality and public-sector status
• Missing the short submission window
• Submitting incomplete documents or skipping required translations
• Relying on old guidance instead of the current year's call
• Choosing a master's that has no clear connection to your work or the program's purpose

Frequently Asked Questions

Who funds the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships?

They are funded by AECID, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, which is part of Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC).

Which countries are eligible for the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships?

Citizens of Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines, as listed in the current call.

Do I have to be a public employee to apply for the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships?

Yes. This modality targets public employees and people integrated into public systems in their home country. That requirement is central to the program.

What level of study do the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships cover?

They cover full-time master's degrees studied in person in Spain.

How much funding do the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships provide?

They cover the academic costs of the master's plus a monthly stipend for living costs, with health and travel support in some modalities. The 2025/2026 round had a budget of about €1,981,100 and roughly 90 grants.

When do the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships open each year?

The call usually opens in the first quarter. For 2025/2026 it ran from 20 February to 6 March 2025.

Where do I apply for the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships?

You apply online through the AECID electronic headquarters (sede electrónica). Start from the official scholarships page at aecid.es/becas-y-lectorados.

How many MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships are awarded?

About 90 new scholarships were expected in the 2025/2026 round, though the number is set by the budget each year.

Are the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships for online study?

No. They are for in-person, full-time master's study carried out in Spain.

Do the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships cover health insurance and travel?

Some modalities include health and travel support. Check the specific modality in the current call to see what applies to you.

How competitive are the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships?

With around 90 grants across several countries and a narrow eligible group, they are competitive. A clear link between your public-sector role, your master's choice, and the program's goals strengthens your case.

Where can I find the official rules for the MAEC-AECID Programa Máster scholarships?

The official rules are in the "Bases de la Convocatoria" published on the AECID site and in the Official State Bulletin (BOE) for each annual round.