Scholarship details
Spain is a country that offers a rich and diverse culture, a vibrant and dynamic economy, and a high-quality and affordable education system. It is no wonder that many international students choose Spain to study abroad. However, studying in a foreign country can pose challenges like language barriers, cultural differences, and financial constraints. That is why the Alliance 4 Universities (A4U), a consortium of four leading Spanish universities, has created the International Academic Mobility Scholarship in Spain.
This scholarship promotes academic exchange and cooperation between Spain and other countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and Iran. It also seeks to enhance the internationalization and competitiveness of the Spanish higher education system and to foster intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.
The International Academic Mobility Scholarship in Spain is a unique opportunity for students and staff from partner universities in Sub-Saharan Africa and Iran to study, research, teach, or train at one of the A4U universities. It is also a chance for students and staff from A4U universities to exchange with partner universities in Sub-Saharan Africa and Iran.
The scholarship covers the selected participants’ travel expenses, living allowance, tuition fees, insurance, and visa costs. It also provides academic and administrative support, cultural and linguistic preparation, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The scholarship is funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union and supported by the Spanish government and the A4U universities.
Scholarship Provider
The scholarship provider is the Alliance 4 Universities (A4U), a strategic partnership of four prestigious Spanish universities: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, and Universitat Pompeu Fabra. The A4U was established in 2008 to enhance its members’ academic excellence, social impact, and international visibility. The A4U strongly focuses on research, innovation, and education and collaborates with other institutions and stakeholders in various fields and disciplines. The A4U also participates in several international programs and networks, such as the Erasmus+ program, the European University Association, the European Consortium of Innovative Universities, and the YERUN network of young European research universities.
Eligible Applicants
The eligible applicants for the scholarship are students and staff from partner universities in Sub-Saharan Africa and Iran, as well as students and staff from A4U universities. The partner universities in Sub-Saharan Africa are the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Free State, and the University of the Western Cape in South Africa; and the partner university in Iran is Lomonosov Moscow State University. The applicants must meet the academic and language requirements of the host university and have the support and approval of their home university. The applicants must also demonstrate their motivation, interest, and academic and personal development potential.
Host Country
The scholarship’s host country is Spain, located in southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Spain is a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, the Schengen Area, and NATO. It has a population of about 47 million people and an area of about 505,000 square kilometers.
Spain is divided into 17 autonomous regions with cultures, histories, and languages. Spain is known for its rich and diverse heritage, artistic and architectural legacy, gastronomy and wine, festivals and traditions, and natural and cultural attractions. Spain is also a modern and developed country, with a strong and diversified economy, a democratic and stable political system, and a social and health care system that ranks among the best in the world.
Scholarship Worth
The scholarship worth varies depending on the type and duration of the mobility. The scholarship covers the following costs for the selected participants:
- Travel expenses: a fixed amount based on the distance between the home and host countries, ranging from 360 to 1,500 euros.
- Living allowance: a monthly or daily amount based on the cost of living in the host country, ranging from 700 to 850 euros for students and 100 to 160 euros for staff.
- Tuition fees: a fixed amount of 350 euros per month for students, and no fees for staff.
- Insurance: a comprehensive health, accident, and travel insurance for the entire mobility period.
- Visa costs: a reimbursement of the visa fees, up to 110 euros.
Level and Field of Study
The scholarship is available for the following levels and fields of study:
- Bachelor: any field of study offered by the host university for 5 months.
- Master: any field of study offered by the host university for 5 months.
- PhD: any field of study the host university offers for 6 months. The PhD students must conduct research under the supervision of a host professor and present their progress and results at the end of the mobility.
- Staff: any field of study or activity related to the host university for 5 to 10 days. The staff can be academic (teaching or research) or administrative (management or support).
How to Apply
The application process for the scholarship is as follows:
- Read carefully the call for applications to check the eligibility and conditions of the scholarship.
- Check the applicants’ guide for step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application.
- Check the factsheets of the host and home universities for their course/research offers, available services, and contact details.
- Complete the online application form in the corresponding mobility category, attaching the required documents.
- Apply before the deadline and wait for the election results.
Countries that can Apply
The countries that can apply for the scholarship are:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa
- Iran
- Spain
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the scholarship are:
- For students: be enrolled in a full-time degree program at the home university, have completed at least one year of studies, have a minimum grade point average of 7 out of 10, have a minimum level of B2 in English or the language of instruction at the host university, and have the approval of the home and host coordinators.
- For staff: be employed full-time or part-time at the home university, have relevant professional experience and qualification, have a minimum level of B2 in English or the language of instruction at the host university, and have the approval of the home and host coordinators.
Scholarship Deadline
The scholarship deadline for the second round of the call for applications for staff and student mobility with partner universities in Sub-Saharan Africa and Iran is May 31, 2024. The mobilities under this call should occur during the spring term of the 2024-2025 academic year or the 2025-2026 academic year, from January 2025 to July 2026. The applicants are strongly advised to submit their applications well before the deadline so that their applications can be checked and omissions addressed, if any.
