University of Lleida - Research Initiation Scholarships

Research Initiation Scholarships (BIR) at the University of Lleida

You will receive a one-off cash award for taking part in a genuine research project at the University of Lleida in Spain. The exact amount is specified in each call for applications; you should therefore check the current call for applications before applying. Master’s students may receive an additional grant towards their enrolment fee. In return, you will work for at least 200 hours alongside your studies over a period of up to 6 months in a department or research group. The University of Lleida runs this programme to help students get started in scientific research. There are 75 scholarships available for the 2025–2026 cycle.

Who can apply

• University: You are enrolled on a bachelor’s or an official master’s degree programme at the University of Lleida.
• Study phase: As a Bachelor’s student, you are in your final year of study or are in the process of earning your final credits, and have already earned at least 75% of your credits. Your final dissertation and the interdisciplinary module are not taken into account when calculating this figure of 75%. Master’s students qualify on the basis of their academic achievements to date.
• Grades: You must have a minimum average mark based on the credits you have earned: 7.00 for engineering, architecture and technical degree programmes; 7.20 for natural and experimental sciences, social sciences and law, as well as health sciences; 7.60 for arts and humanities.
• Field of study: Anyone interested is welcome to apply.
• No finished degree: You have not yet obtained the qualification and are not yet eligible to do so.
• First time: You did not receive a BIR scholarship in a previous year.
• Nationality: Spanish nationals, EU citizens and non-EU citizens with a residence permit are eligible to take part.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the University of Lleida’s electronic portal (Seu Electrònica). You must submit a form describing your research project. Your supervisor must be a lecturer at the university. The application deadline is 31 October. Selection is based on a competitive process: applications are assessed on the basis of your grade point average and ranked accordingly; there is no interview.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is very narrowly defined. You must already be studying at the University of Lleida, be nearing the end of your degree and have achieved a specific grade threshold in your subject, meaning that the pool of eligible applicants is small. As 75 scholarships are available and no interview needs to be prepared for, a suitable applicant with solid grades and a lecturer willing to act as a supervisor has good prospects. Selection is based on your average mark, so a strong academic record is crucial.