Scholarship details
Are you looking for a way to advance your education and career in the Americas? Do you want to pursue a master’s degree in a prestigious European university with a flexible and innovative online modality? If so, you might be interested in the OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program, a joint initiative of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the International University of La Rioja (UNIR) of Spain.
The OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program offers 108 full scholarships for outstanding students from the OAS member states to enroll in one of the official European master’s programs offered by UNIR in different areas of knowledge such as administration, human rights, education, communication, marketing, sales, finance, human resources, technology and more. The scholarships cover 100% of the tuition fees and a one-time contribution of USD 1,200 for subsistence and connectivity costs.
The OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program is part of the OAS Partnerships Program for Education and Training (PAEC), which aims to provide quality education opportunities for the citizens of the Americas and contribute to the development of the region. The PAEC also includes other scholarship opportunities for academic studies with the support of partner institutions in the Americas and worldwide.
The International University of La Rioja (UNIR) is a fully online university that offers official degrees recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). UNIR has a student-centered approach that combines live online classes, interactive activities, personalized tutoring, and a virtual campus with various resources and services. UNIR has over 32,000 students from 90 countries and a faculty of over 1,300 professors and researchers.
If you are interested in applying for the OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program, here are some important details you need to know:
Eligible Applicants
The OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program is open to citizens and permanent residents of any of the OAS member states except Spain. The OAS member states are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Host Country
Spain, a country with a rich cultural and historical heritage, a diverse and dynamic society, and a leading role in the European Union, hosts the OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program. Spain is also a popular destination for international students, who can benefit from its high-quality education system, its modern infrastructure and its vibrant lifestyle.
Scholarship Worth
The OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program covers 100% of the tuition fees for the selected master’s program, which range from 4,650 to 9,000 euros depending on the program. The scholarship also includes a one-time contribution of $1,200 USD for subsistence and connectivity costs, which will be disbursed after the student has completed 50% of the program.
The scholarship does not cover other expenses such as travel, visa, accommodation, books, insurance or any other costs related to the studies.
Level and Field of Study
The OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program is for graduate studies at the master’s level. The scholarship recipients can choose from 108 official European master’s programs offered by UNIR in different areas of knowledge, such as:
- Administration and Business
- Communication
- Education
- Engineering and Technology
- Health Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Law
- Marketing and Sales
- Psychology
The complete list of the master’s programs and their descriptions can be found here.
How to Apply
The application process for the OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program consists of three steps:
- Apply for admission to UNIR through its online platform here. You will need to fill out an online form, upload the required documents and pay a non-refundable fee of 25 euros. You will also need to take an online admission test and have an interview with a UNIR academic advisor. You will receive an email from UNIR confirming your admission and the master’s program you have been accepted to.
- Apply for the OAS-UNIR scholarship through the OAS online system here. You will need to fill out an online form and upload the following documents: a copy of your passport or national ID, a copy of your diploma for the highest degree obtained, a copy of your transcript of grades for the highest degree completed or in progress, two recommendation letters using the OAS forms, a curriculum vitae, a motivation letter, a copy of your admission letter from UNIR and a proof of payment of the admission fee to UNIR.
- Wait for the publication of the scholarship results on the OAS website here. The OAS will evaluate the applications and select the scholarship recipients based on academic merit, geographic distribution, gender diversity, and the priority areas of the OAS Strategic Plan. The OAS will notify the scholarship recipients by email and will publish the list of selected candidates on its website.
Countries that can Apply
The OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program is open to citizens and permanent residents of any of the OAS member states, except Spain. The OAS member states are: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program, the applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of an OAS member state, except Spain.
- Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent by the time of application.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) above the minimum standard required by UNIR, which is 3.0/4.0 or equivalent for most programs.
- Have the language proficiency to undertake studies in the language of instruction of the chosen master’s program, which is Spanish for most programs. The applicants must submit a Spanish proficiency certificate from a recognized institution or take the online Spanish test offered by UNIR during the admission process.
- Have not received other academic scholarships from the OAS or from UNIR for the same level of studies or studies at a lower level.
- Not be an OAS staff member, an OAS consultant, a staff member of a permanent mission to the OAS, or a relative of any of the above.
Scholarship Deadline
The deadline to apply for the OAS-UNIR Scholarship Program for the spring 2024 intake is February 29, 2024. The applicants must complete both the admission process to UNIR and the scholarship application to the OAS by this date. The OAS will publish the scholarship results on its website by April 30, 2024.
