Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - Development Cooperation Travel Grants

What you get

You will receive 3,300 EUR for a six-month stay abroad. This will enable you to fund the completion of your final-year dissertation or Master’s thesis in the field of development cooperation. For a shorter stay, the amount will be calculated on a pro rata basis. The money is intended to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and meals, health insurance, vaccinations and visa fees. The stay lasts between 7 weeks and 6 months. The scholarship is awarded by the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), which supports students working on development projects in lower-income countries.

Who can apply

• University: You are enrolled as a student at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM).
• Study stage: You are currently working on your bachelor’s thesis (Trabajo Fin de Grado) or your master’s thesis (Trabajo Fin de Máster).
• Field of study: Your subject is Economics (Economic Sciences).
• Where you go: You are carrying out the project in a low- or middle-income country. Some projects are carried out as part of Spain’s development cooperation programme.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.

How to apply

Applications are made online via a Microsoft Forms link on the UPM website. You can choose one of two options. Either you propose your own project topic in collaboration with a UPM supervisor and a supervisor at the host institution, or you apply for a topic that has already been published by UPM. There are two application rounds each year. For 2026, the results will be announced in March and June.