MAEC-AECID Scholarships (Spain) 2026-2027

Overview

The MAEC-AECID Scholarships are Spain's main international cooperation scholarships, awarded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC). For the 2026-2027 academic year, AECID has reopened its call across several distinct programmes that together support international students, professionals and creators to study, train or carry out residencies in Spain. It's one of the longest-running tools of Spanish public diplomacy and development cooperation, built to deepen academic ties between Spain and partner countries while building skills in priority regions.

MAEC-AECID isn't a single award but an umbrella of related calls. They include the Master programme for public-sector candidates from Latin America and the Philippines, the Diplomatic School programme that funds a Master in Diplomacy and International Relations, residencies at the Royal Academy of Spain in Rome, and scholarships connected to the College of Europe. Each programme has its own budget, beneficiaries and conditions, so read the specific call (convocatoria) that matches your profile before you apply.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Funding body: Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), under MAEC
• Host country: Spain (with some programmes hosted in Rome, Bruges, Natolin and Tirana)
• Level: Master's degrees, specialised diplomatic training, and artistic or research residencies
• Target groups: depends on the programme; includes public employees, future diplomats, and creators
• Eligible regions: Latin America, the Caribbean, the Philippines, and other partner countries depending on the call
• Benefits: typically a monthly allowance, with medical insurance, travel and tuition support varying by programme
• Application: exclusively online through the AECID electronic office (sede electronica)
• 2026-2027 calls published in the Spanish Official State Gazette (BOE) in May 2026

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility leans heavily on which MAEC-AECID programme you apply to. As a rule, you should hold the nationality of an eligible partner country and meet the academic and professional requirements in the relevant call.

• Nationality: you must be a citizen of a country eligible under the specific programme. The Master programme, for instance, is aimed at citizens of Latin American countries and the Philippines.
• Professional profile: several programmes target public employees and people working inside public systems, so a link to the public sector may be required.
• Academic background: you generally need a completed university degree suited to the level of study or residency you're applying for.
• Language: a working knowledge of Spanish is normally expected, since most programmes run in Spanish.
• Admission: for master's programmes, you may need admission or pre-admission to an eligible Spanish university programme.

Requirements differ across the board, so confirm the exact conditions in the published bases of the call you intend to apply for.

Scholarship Benefits

These scholarships are meant to make study and training in Spain affordable for candidates from partner countries. The exact package depends on the programme, but benefits commonly include:

• A monthly allowance or stipend toward living costs during the scholarship period.
• Tuition support, partial or full depending on the programme and host institution.
• Medical insurance, where the specific call provides it.
• Travel assistance, which may be granted based on your region of origin or destination.
• Access to Spanish academic institutions, cultural networks and, for some programmes, residencies such as the Royal Academy of Spain in Rome.

Read the financial conditions of your chosen programme closely, since amounts and coverage are spelled out in each convocatoria and can change year to year.

How to Apply

Every MAEC-AECID application goes in online. The general process:

• Find the programme that matches your profile (the Master programme, the Diplomatic School programme, a residency, and so on).
• Read the official bases of the call published in the BOE and on the AECID website.
• Prepare your supporting documents, including academic and identity records, in the required format.
• Submit your application only through the AECID electronic office (sede electronica). Paper and email applications aren't accepted.
• Track your application status and answer any requests for extra documents within the stated deadlines.

Required Documents

Requirements vary by programme, but applicants are usually asked for:

• A valid passport or national identity document.
• University degree certificates and academic transcripts.
• A curriculum vitae covering education and, where relevant, professional experience.
• Proof of admission or pre-admission to a Spanish programme, when required.
• Evidence of Spanish language ability, if requested.
• Any programme-specific documents listed in the official call, such as a portfolio for artistic residencies or a letter from a public-sector employer.

Important Dates & Deadlines

For the 2026-2027 cycle, AECID published its calls in the Spanish Official State Gazette (BOE) in May 2026, with application windows opening soon after. Some 2026-2027 programmes set deadlines in early June 2026. Deadlines differ between programmes, so the only reliable source is the specific call you're applying to.

• Calls published: May 2026 (BOE).
• Application windows: generally short, often around ten business days after publication.
• Results and resolutions: announced later in 2026, ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Choose the right programme. Applying to the call that truly fits your nationality and profile raises your odds sharply.
• Read the bases in full. The official convocatoria is the definitive source for eligibility, benefits and deadlines.
• Prepare documents early. Certified translations and official transcripts take time to obtain.
• Show alignment with cooperation goals. Programmes value candidates who'll use their training to help develop their home country.
• Submit ahead of the deadline. The electronic office can get swamped in the final hours of short windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MAEC-AECID a single scholarship? No. It's an umbrella of related programmes, each with its own call, eligibility and benefits.

Who can apply? It depends on the programme. Some target public employees from Latin America and the Philippines, others target future diplomats or creators.

Are the scholarships fully funded? Benefits vary. Many programmes provide a monthly allowance plus support like insurance, travel or tuition, but coverage is defined in each call.

Do I need to speak Spanish? Usually yes, since programmes are typically delivered in Spanish.

Where do I apply? Only online, through the AECID electronic office.

Related Scholarships

• Spanish university and regional government scholarships for international master's students.
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarships for study across Europe, including Spain.
• Fundacion Carolina scholarships for Latin American postgraduates studying in Spain.
• Other European government scholarships such as the Polish NAWA Lukasiewicz programme and DAAD scholarships in Germany.