Iberdrola Foundation/Prado Museum - Grants for Training and Research in Restoration

Fundación Iberdrola España - Museo del Prado restoration grant

You will receive 1,500 EUR per month for 24 months to study and work at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, one of the world’s leading art museums. The scholarship also covers your social security contributions. If you spend up to one week at a partner institution, such as the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, you can apply for up to 1,000 EUR towards travel, accommodation and meals. The Fundación Iberdrola España fully funds the scholarship. You will choose one of three specialisms:

• Painting restoration: You are helping to restore and preserve the museum’s collection of paintings.
• Frame restoration: You will help with the restoration and conservation of the museum’s picture frames.
• Technical documentation: You will assist with the digitisation of artefacts and the processing of X-ray images used as part of preliminary assessments for restoration work.

Who can apply

• Field: You have a background in fine art or art history and work in the fields of restoration, conservation or technical documentation of works of art.
• Level: You have not yet started a PhD programme.
• Where you go: You will be working at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid for the entire two years.
• Language: They speak Spanish, as the training and work are conducted in Spanish.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

How to apply

Applications to the Museo Nacional del Prado must be made using the official application form provided in the call for applications. A committee from the museum will draw up a ranking list of all applicants and select the successful candidates through an open selection process.

How realistic are your chances?

Only three scholarships are awarded per round, and the criteria are strict: applicants must have a background in art restoration or conservation, as well as sufficient knowledge of Spanish to be able to work at the Prado. This keeps the pool of applicants small and specialised. If you clearly fit into one of the three specialist areas and can provide evidence of relevant training, your prospects are realistic. However, a single high-profile internship position such as the one at the Prado continues to attract a large number of applicants.