MAEC-AECID Scholarships Spain 2027/2028: Full Guide for International Students

What are MAEC-AECID Scholarships?

MAEC-AECID scholarships are official Spanish cooperation scholarships linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. They support training and academic opportunities for citizens from partner countries, especially in areas connected to public service, development cooperation, diplomacy, education and international relations. For international students, MAEC-AECID is important because it is official, credible and often targeted at countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For MENA and African students, the Africa-Med Master programme is especially relevant. However, MAEC-AECID is not one single scholarship for all international students. It is a family of calls, and each call has its own eligibility rules, country list, deadline, documents and benefits. This guide explains how MAEC-AECID scholarships work and how to prepare for the 2027/2028 cycle.

Why MAEC-AECID matters for international students

Many students searching for scholarships in Spain find confusing information online. Some websites present MAEC-AECID as if every international student can apply for any master’s. That is not correct. MAEC-AECID calls are specific. Some are for public officials, some are for diplomatic training, some are for citizens of partner countries, and some require admission or pre-admission to a specific programme. The advantage is that when you do fit the target profile, the scholarship can be excellent. The 2026/2027 Africa-Med Master call, published in the Spanish BOE, offered up to 30 scholarships for official in-person university master’s degrees in Spain, with a monthly allowance of 2,000 euros and health insurance. That is a strong package for one academic year.

Main MAEC-AECID scholarship routes

The first route is the Africa-Med Master programme. This is designed for citizens from eligible countries in Africa and the Middle East. The 2026/2027 call targeted permanent public officials and public employees, including education and university personnel. The second route is the Diplomatic School programme, which has included scholarships for citizens from Latin America, Africa and Asia to study at Spain’s Diplomatic School. The 2026/2027 procedure required pre-admission to the Diplomatic School master’s and provided monthly allowance and insurance. Other AECID calls may exist depending on the year. The key lesson is to check the official AECID scholarship page and active procedures portal rather than relying only on old blog posts.

Eligibility: who should focus on MAEC-AECID?

MAEC-AECID is especially relevant for applicants with public-sector, diplomatic, academic, education, development or institutional profiles. If you work in a ministry, municipality, public agency, public university, public school, central bank, public hospital or government-related institution, you may be a better match than a private applicant. This does not mean private applicants can never benefit from Spanish scholarships. It means that for MAEC-AECID specifically, many calls are designed around public service and cooperation. Private-sector applicants should also consider university scholarships, Erasmus Mundus, research grants and tuition discounts.

Benefits and funding

Benefits depend on the call. The Africa-Med Master 2026/2027 official extract listed a monthly allowance of 2,000 euros and health insurance in Spain, with total programme funding of 686,400 euros and a maximum of 30 scholarships. Duration was listed from 1 September 2026 to 31 July 2027. Other calls may have different monthly amounts, durations and eligible costs. Always read the official call before assuming that tuition, travel, insurance or living expenses are covered. Some scholarships provide a monthly allowance but may not cover every cost connected to visa, document translation, housing deposit or travel.

Deadlines and application windows

MAEC-AECID calls can have short deadlines. The 2026/2027 Africa-Med Master BOE extract gave applicants 10 working days from the day after publication to submit. That is a very short window. Students who wait until the call opens to prepare documents may not have enough time. For 2027/2028, applicants should monitor AECID from early 2027, but preparation should begin earlier. If admission or pre-admission is required, you may need to apply to Spanish universities before the scholarship call opens. If proof of employment or institutional support is required, you should prepare it in advance.

How to apply

Applications are usually submitted online through AECID’s electronic system. The official Africa-Med extract indicated that applications had to be submitted in Spanish through the AECID website and registered in the AECID electronic office, with documents uploaded in PDF format. Applicants should create an account early if possible, read the call carefully, prepare documents in PDF, and avoid submitting at the last minute. If documents are not in Spanish, translation may be required. The exact format matters. Missing signatures, wrong file types or incomplete forms can lead to rejection.

Documents to prepare for MAEC-AECID

Documents vary by call, but students should be ready with a passport, CV, degree certificate, transcripts, proof of employment, institutional support letter, motivation letter, admission or pre-admission letter, language certificate and any additional forms required by AECID. Public officials should prepare a strong employment certificate that explains their position, institution, responsibilities and relevance of the chosen master’s. A generic employment certificate may not be enough. If the scholarship is linked to public-sector development impact, your documents should show how the study programme will benefit your institution and country.

How to choose a Spanish master’s for AECID

Choose a master’s that is official, in-person and compatible with the call. The Africa-Med 2026/2027 call referred to official in-person university master’s degrees in Spain, with a maximum of 60 ECTS. This means not every private, online or non-official programme will fit. Look for programmes in areas that connect to public policy, development, environment, water, energy, agriculture, education, health, governance, international relations, digital transformation, migration, economics or institutional management. Your choice should be easy to justify to your employer and to the scholarship committee.

How to write a strong motivation letter

Your motivation letter should answer four questions. Why this programme? Why Spain? Why now? How will your institution or country benefit? Avoid writing only about personal ambition. MAEC-AECID scholarships are linked to cooperation and public value, so the best letters show a clear return to public service. For example, a water ministry employee can explain how a master’s in water management will improve national planning. A university lecturer can explain how the degree will strengthen teaching and curriculum development. A municipal employee can connect urban planning studies to better local services.

Common mistakes

The first mistake is applying without checking the exact call. The second mistake is assuming all AECID scholarships are the same. The third mistake is waiting until the BOE publication to start preparing. The fourth mistake is choosing a programme that does not meet the call’s academic format. The fifth mistake is submitting weak proof of employment. Another common mistake is ignoring Spanish language. Even if the degree is in English, the application system and official instructions may be in Spanish. Applicants should be comfortable enough to follow instructions or get help.

FAQ: MAEC-AECID Scholarships Spain 2027/2028

Are MAEC-AECID scholarships fully funded?

Some are very generous, but benefits differ by call. Always verify monthly allowance, tuition, travel and insurance rules.

Are they open to all international students?

No. Each call has a country list and eligibility rules.

Can I apply without public-sector employment?

Some calls may not require it, but key programmes such as Africa-Med have targeted public officials or public employees. Check the call.

Where do I find the official call?

Use the AECID scholarship page, AECID active procedures portal and BOE publications.

Need help applying?

If you need help understanding whether your profile fits MAEC-AECID, choosing an eligible Spanish master’s, preparing employment proof, writing your motivation letter or monitoring the 2027/2028 call, we can help you prepare a clear and competitive application.

Official sources used

• Official AECID scholarships page: https://www.aecid.es/en/scholarships-and-lectureships
• Official BOE extract for Africa-Med Master 2026/2027: https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-B-2026-22411
• AECID active procedures portal: https://www.aecid.gob.es/activos