Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) - Grants for the completion of doctoral dissertations in Political Science or Sociology

What you get

You will receive a one-off grant of 5,000 EUR to help you complete your doctoral thesis in political science or sociology. The amount will be paid out upon completion of the work for which the grant was awarded, subject to deduction of Spanish income tax (IRPF). The grant is provided by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS), the Spanish government’s national centre for sociological research. Each year, the CIS awards 2 such dissertation grants on topics of interest to the organisation. You are not obliged to use the CIS database, but you will receive additional marks in the assessment if you do so.

Who can apply

• Field of study: Your doctoral thesis is in political science or sociology.
• Stage: You are in the final stages of your thesis, as confirmed by your supervisor. You have obtained the Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA, the Spanish qualification certifying research competence) or an equivalent qualification.
• Degree: You must hold an official Spanish higher education qualification or an equivalent qualification from the European Higher Education Area. A qualification obtained outside this area must be officially recognised in Spain.
• Nationality and residence: You are a Spanish national, an EU citizen or a non-EU citizen lawfully resident in Spain. You are conducting research in Spain.
• Where you study: Any university, provided you submit your dissertation for defence in Spain.
• Other grants: You are not currently receiving any other similar public or private funding.
• Timing: You did not receive a CIS grant of this kind under last year’s call for applications.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted independently online via the electronic platform of the Spanish Ministry of the Presidency. For the 2026 edition, the application window runs from 6 May to 2 June. A committee assesses each project in terms of relevance, originality and theoretical and methodological quality. You need at least 50 points to pass the selection process.

How realistic are your chances?

Only 2 scholarships are awarded each year. Applications are restricted to PhD students in political science or sociology who are already in the final stages of their dissertation, which means the pool of applicants remains small. If you clearly meet these criteria and submit an original, methodologically sound project proposal, your prospects are good. Using the CIS database in your work is a plus and may tip the balance in your favour if the decision is a close one.