Louisa de Medrano Scholarships to Fund a Year of Study in Another Spanish Region

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the launch of the Luisa de Medrano scholarships, designed to support students who choose to study for one academic year in another region of the country. The scheme effectively revives the former Séneca scholarships, which were discontinued in 2013 during the economic crisis.

The grant will amount to €8,100 for the academic year — roughly €900 per month. It will be paid to successful applicants in a single lump sum. The government expects around 2,300 students to take part in the first round of the programme, with a total budget of €18.8 million.

The aim is to encourage students to study in other regions of Spain. For instance, the scholarship could help a student from Valencia spend a year at the University of Oviedo. Additional financial support is also предусмотрена for those who study at universities outside the Iberian Peninsula, or for students travelling from the Balearic or Canary Islands.

Main eligibility requirements:

— the applicant must be enrolled on a full-time undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree;

— they must have completed at least 60 ECTS credits (meaning the placement can begin no earlier than the second year of study);

— they must secure a place through Spain’s university exchange system (SICUE);

— the study placement must require a move to another province;

— the programme lasts one full academic year.

Selection will be competitive, with academic performance as the primary criterion. The new scholarships will also be compatible with other state grants received by students from low-income families.