Botín Foundation - Scholarships for University Studies

What you get

You will receive a one-off grant of up to 5,000 EUR. You will receive 5,000 EUR if you are studying at a university in another part of Spain, but only if the university in Cantabria does not offer your degree programme. Otherwise, i.e. if you are studying at a university in Cantabria, you will receive 1,500 EUR. The grant is valid for 9 months. You can renew it each year, provided you continue to meet the criteria and compare favourably with other applicants. It is provided by the Fundación Botín, a foundation in Santander which has been supporting students from Cantabria since 1972. For 2026/2027, there are 47 scholarships: 28 for studying in Cantabria and 19 for studying elsewhere in Spain.

Who can apply

• Where you're from: You were born in Cantabria and either live there or have lived there for at least the three years prior to submitting your application.
• Degree level: You are starting a bachelor’s degree (Grado) in 2026/2027 or are already studying there.
• No degree yet: You have not yet completed a university degree.
• Age: You are 25 or younger.
• Field of study: All cupboards are open.
• Grades (first-year students): Your average is at least 9. This includes 40% from the core subjects of your PAU entrance examination and 60% from your Bachillerato school marks.
• Grades (students already at university): Your average of 2025 and 2026 must be at least 9 in the humanities, social sciences and law, in the natural and health sciences at least 8.5, and in engineering and architecture at least 7.5. You must also have attained at least 90% of the credit points required for the year.
• No double funding: You do not receive any other funding or grant for the same purpose.

These grades represent only the minimum requirement, but are no guarantee. The scholarships are awarded to the applicants with the best grades.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the Foundation’s website by 31 July 2026. Selection will be based solely on your academic achievements; there will be no interview. The decision is final. The list of award winners will be published on the Foundation’s website in September 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is highly selective: you must be from Cantabria and meet strict academic requirements, meaning that only a few qualify. The sole deciding factor is your grades, and the bar is set high (an average mark of 9 for most applicants in their first year of study). Within this small group, the applicants with the best marks are awarded the 47 places. If you clearly meet the residence requirement and are among the best in your year group, your prospects are good.