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.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is very specific. You must be an UPM student studying economics and be writing your dissertation in the context of development cooperation. This means that the pool of eligible applicants is small. If you meet these requirements and can put together a sound project in collaboration with a supervisor, your chances are good. It is advantageous to apply in the earlier round, when there are still more topics to choose from.