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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Spain

1 Fulbright IE University Award for Master in International Relations, Master in International Development or Master of Laws

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
11 Months
Award Type
Special Study/Research
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
  • Yes
Award Profile

Award Profile

One Award for any of the following full-time master’s programs at IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs or at IE Law School.

IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs:

  • Master in International Relations
  • Master in International Development

IE Law  School:

  • Master of Laws (LL.M.)

About the School

IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs is committed to creating global leaders who are ready to take on the roles of tomorrow’s world actors and become catalysts for positive change.

At IE Law School we champion law as an instrument of positive change, find emerging opportunities in the profession, and contribute to the constantly changing world through law.

Master in International Relations

Master in International Development

Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Grant Length
11 Months
Grant Period
September Start

Grantees may only join in the September 2025 intake.

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

All Fulbright Spain student grantees are required to attend the Orientation Seminar scheduled for the first half of September 2025. This orientation is designed to cover a wide array of topics essential for starting the grant year successfully and thriving during the time in Spain, such as grant benefits and obligations, cultural adaptation and navigating research in Spain, and more.

Candidate Profile

The Master in International Relations prepares students to face global challenges with a more sustainable vision of business and project management. It trains students to become influential leaders who can transform and truly make a difference in the public, private, and non-profit sector. This program is designed for recent graduates and early to mid-career professionals with backgrounds in Business, International Relations, Economics, Political Sciences, Law or Social Sciences. Other backgrounds such as Engineering, Finance and Humanities are also welcome.

The Master in International Development is a unique collaboration between IE and the United Nations System Staff College, with a curriculum focused on the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The program also includes soft and hard skills, as well as a Specialization Track. This program is designed for recent graduates and young professionals with backgrounds in International Relations, Economics, Political Sciences, Law or Social Sciences. Other backgrounds such as Engineering, Business, and Humanities are also welcome. 

The Master of Laws, defined by its comparative methodology and international orientation, gives students hands-on experience in skills such as cross-border transactions and transnational law to propel their international ambitions. Students can either specialize in one of three major legal fields—International Business Law, International Dispute Resolution, or Intellectual Property and Technology Law—or earn a General LL.M. that provides an overview of all three fields. A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited US law school or a first law degree (JD, LLB, or the equivalent) from a law school in countries other than the United States is required to earn the LL.M degree. Exceptional candidates with backgrounds in Political Science, Economics, History, Criminology, or similar will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for an MsL degree.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Fulbright Master’s Candidates in Madrid enjoy access to a bustling metropolis and diverse student body. As programs attract students from all over the world, Fulbright Master’s Candidates at IE reflect the positive effect of being able to learn in a multicultural environment from their international peers. However, they have had to actively seek out spaces, hobbies, or routines in order to fully meet and engage with Spanish communities. Fulbright Master’s Candidates sometimes find that there is not as much administrative infrastructure compared to their home universities in the United States, requiring independence and self-advocacy in accessing institutional support and collaboration with professors.

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
3 Months
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible

Candidates may not reside in Spain at the time of application or during the academic year prior to the grant. Study abroad in Spain as part of undergraduate studies is not considered residency in Spain. However, other full-time studies at an institution based in Spain or participation in an auxiliar de conversación program are considered residency in Spain.

Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
Special Application Instructions

In your Fulbright online application, for Award Name, please select the specific award you are applying for from the drop down menu.

Foreign Language Proficiency
Required - Novice

Proficiency in Spanish or other foreign languages is viewed favorably.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
No
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter of acceptance required prior to grant start

To be considered for this Award, two separate applications are required:

  1. Applicants must apply for the Fulbright Award through the Fulbright online application system
  2. Applicants must also apply for admission to their Master’s program of choice directly to IE University. More information on the IE admissions process can be found at: https://www.ie.edu/school-politics-economics-global-affairs/

Applicants are not required to have a letter of admission/affiliation at the time of the Fulbright application, but awards are made conditional upon admission to the Master's program of choice at IE no later than February 15, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply to their chosen Master’s program at IE as soon as possible.

IE will notify Fulbright directly of all semi finalists who have been accepted to IE by the February 15th deadline.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition covered in grant benefits

IE provides full tuition waivers for Fulbright grantees.

This Award is co-sponsored by the IE Foundation.

Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

Stipend amounts vary depending on the cost of living in the placement region monthly stipend amount in
€ [Euro]

Stipend amounts vary depending on the cost of living in the placement region, and are calculated based on factors such as rent prices, transportation, and food costs. The stipend is calculated to cover these basic expenses and to allow grantees to live comfortably on a budget. 

Grants are disbursed to grant recipients’ Spanish bank accounts in two-month installments. Grant recipients have the option to request their round-trip travel stipend to their US bank account or receive it upon their arrival in Spain.

One-Time Allowances

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

€ [Euro]
  • Language training allowance
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance

Master's Candidates may receive a project allowance of up to €500, subject to Commission's approval. This allowance can be used to cover pre-approved expenses. Eligible expenses encompass a range of Fulbright-related activities, such as language classes (Spanish) or conference attendance fees. 

Additional Grant Benefits
  • Health insurance (in addition to ASPE)
  • Mid-year seminar

Grant recipients will be in contact with the member of the Commission that manages their program or region. Grant recipients will receive access to comprehensive information in the summer prior to their grant, including, but not limited to: instructions for applying for a visa; information on the housing search; guidance on first steps in the host country; and developing one’s health plan in concert with provided health coverage in-country. 

Grant recipients will also receive access to an Online Guide, a comprehensive resource with specific information ranging from finance and budgeting, cultural adjustment, health care, and documentation. The Online Guide is updated every year with the most current information about specific regions, cultural events, and volunteer opportunities.

Furthermore, for programs already established in the host region, grantees will have access to the support of a mentor. Mentors are second-year grantees that are renewing in the same region and host institution, and offer support for grantees in their transition to their host region or program. 

The Mid-Year Seminar is an annual gathering of all Fulbright U.S. Student grantees in Spain in which grantees come together to share information about their grants and reflect on their Fulbright experiences at the midway point of their grant period. 

Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

Cost of Living also varies greatly from region to region and between rural and urban areas in Spain. All stipends are set in accordance with local estimated cost of living and cover the cost of living for a modest lifestyle in the Host Region or Country: renting a room in a shared flat, purchasing meals and groceries, as well as commuting using public transportation. The grant stipend is not intended to cover costs associated with living alone, frequent travel within or outside of the Host Region, or covering expenses like dry cleaning, media subscriptions, or accrued student loan debts. Grantees from varied socioeconomic backgrounds have found the stipend sufficient with the deferment of student loans and sensible budgeting for personal expenses outside the standard costs of living. 

This website provides helpful information related to the cost of living in Spain: 

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/

 

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Housing Arrangements

All Fulbright Spain grantees are required to arrange their own housing. The Commission provides ample resources to aid in the housing search in Spain. 

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.es
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Academic Advising Office: informacion@fulbright.es
Additional Online Resources
IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs: https://www.ie.edu/school-politics-economics-global-affairs/
IE Admissions Office - IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs: mailto: iegpa.admissions@ie.edu