Inicia tu investigacion en la UMU (TUINVESTUM)

What you get

You get a one-off payment to start research work at the University of Murcia (UMU) in Spain: 2,400 EUR for the Master track or 3,000 EUR for the doctorate track. The money is paid once, not monthly. It covers the period from your start date until 31 December 2025 at the latest. There are 33 places in total: 13 for the Master track and 20 for the doctorate track. If one track does not fill up, the free places move to the other. The University of Murcia runs the programme with co-funding from Banco Santander, to give future researchers a first taste of real scientific problems and how to solve them.

Who can apply

• Degree level: For the Master track (2,400 EUR), you hold a bachelor's degree, or will finish one that lets you enrol in an official UMU Master's for 2025-2026. For the doctorate track (3,000 EUR), you hold or will finish a bachelor's or Master's degree that gives you access to a UMU doctoral programme for 2025-2026.
• Timing: You finished your qualifying degree in 2023-2024 or 2024-2025, or you are in your final year and will finish in 2024-2025.
• Where you study: You are starting a Master's or doctorate at the University of Murcia in Spain.
• Supervisor: A permanent UMU researcher agrees in writing to supervise your project.
• Project: You have a project plan with clear aims, methods and a timeline.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply. If you live outside Spain, you must come in person to join the supervisor's research group.
• University students only: Secondary-school (Bachillerato) pupils and vocational-training (Formacion Profesional) graduates cannot apply.

How to apply

You apply through the Santander Open Academy portal. Submit your grades, your project plan and your supervisor's written agreement. In the 2025 round, applications ran until 21 May 2025 and selection took place on 15 October 2025.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is aimed at a narrow group. You must be starting a Master's or doctorate at the University of Murcia and already have a UMU researcher willing to supervise you. That keeps the applicant pool small. With 33 places, someone who clearly fits and lines up a supervisor early has solid prospects. The written commitment from a UMU supervisor is the real hurdle, so secure that first.