PhD Scholarships at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid / UPM

Overview

🏛️ Institution acronym	UPM
🏷️ Institution name (original)	PhD Scholarships at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
🌐 Institution name (English)	UPM
🌍 Country	Spain
🎓 Fields of study	Agricultural sciences, Environmental Sciences, Sustainable development, Water and climate, Bioinformatics, Data science
💶 Monthly stipend	1400 EUR/month
🔗 Official website	https://www.upm.es/internacional/Students/StudiesDegrees/PhD%20studies
📫 Additional contacts	For inquiries about PhD scholarships, reach out to UPM via email at [email protected] or call . Physical Address: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Avda. de la Memoria, 4 28040 Madrid Spain

Stipend affordability

Stipend on this programme: €1,400/month (gross)

Estimated stipend vs student living costs in Spain.

Apply for Scholarship

Open PhD Vacancies

🎯 Vacancy 1

PhD in Plant-Microbe Interactions for Sustainable Agriculture – Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Country: Spain | Deadline: 2026-07-15 | Funding: Horizon Europe — unknown

The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) offers PhD scholarships for international students across multiple disciplines. As one of Spain’s leading technical universities, UPM provides a vibrant research environment with state-of-the-art laboratories and strong industry links. The doctoral programs cover engineering, agriculture, and applied sciences, with opportunities for interdisciplinary research. International students benefit from dedicated support services, including assistance with visas and accommodation. The university has partnerships with over 200 institutions worldwide, facilitating collaborative research projects. PhD candidates receive competitive funding and access to exclusive training workshops. UPM’s main campus is located in Madrid, offering a rich cultural experience alongside academic excellence.

PhD Scholarships at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

UPM offers fully-funded PhD positions for outstanding international graduates. The scholarships cover tuition fees and provide a monthly stipend of approximately €1,400. Research areas include agricultural engineering, environmental science, and sustainable technologies. Applicants must hold a master's degree and demonstrate research potential.

Fields of Study

UPM offers PhD programs in various fields, particularly strong in agricultural and environmental sciences. Below are the main research areas available for international doctoral candidates.

Agricultural Sciences

Research focuses on sustainable crop production, precision agriculture, and soil management. UPM's School of Agricultural Engineering (ETSIAAB) runs field trials and collaborates with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).

Environmental Sciences

Programs cover ecosystem management, pollution control, and climate change adaptation. Projects often involve remote sensing and GIS applications.

Sustainable Development

Interdisciplinary research on renewable energy, circular economy, and urban sustainability. UPM is a member of the European University Alliance EELISA.

Water and Climate

Focus on hydrological modeling, water resource management, and climate impact assessment. Students use UPM's advanced computing clusters.

Bioinformatics

Computational biology and genomics applied to plant breeding and disease resistance. Collaborations with the Spanish Bioinformatics Institute.

Data Science

Machine learning and big data analytics for agricultural and environmental applications. UPM hosts the Data Science and Engineering Laboratory.

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These fields are supported by UPM's strong research infrastructure, including specialized labs, experimental fields, and high-performance computing. International students are encouraged to apply.

Detailed Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a PhD scholarship at UPM, candidates must meet the following specific requirements. These criteria are based on UPM's official admission regulations for doctoral studies.

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must hold a master's degree (or equivalent) in a related field, with a minimum grade point average of 7.0 out of 10. Degrees from non-Spanish institutions must be officially recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education or undergo a verification process.

Research Experience

Prior research experience is highly valued, such as participation in research projects, published papers, or a master's thesis. Candidates should provide a detailed CV highlighting their research contributions.

Supervisor Endorsement

Applicants must secure a written endorsement from a UPM faculty member who agrees to supervise the PhD. This requires contacting potential supervisors and discussing a research proposal before applying.

Financial Guarantee

Non-EU applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover living expenses during the first year, unless awarded a scholarship. Proof of funds may be required for visa application.

Health Insurance

All international students must have valid health insurance covering Spain. EU students can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); others must purchase private insurance.

Monthly Stipend

UPM PhD scholarships provide a monthly stipend of approximately €1,400 (before taxes) for up to 4 years. This covers living expenses in Madrid. The stipend is paid through the university's payroll system, and recipients are considered UPM employees.

Annual Research Budget

Scholarship holders receive an annual research budget of up to €5,000 for materials, equipment, travel to conferences, and fieldwork. Additional funding for international collaborations is available through UPM's International Office.

Application Process for PhD Scholarships at UPM

The application process is coordinated by the UPM Doctoral School. International applicants should follow these steps carefully. All documents must be submitted in Spanish or English.

Find a Supervisor: Identify a potential supervisor from UPM's list of research groups. Review their publications and contact them via email with a brief research proposal. Obtain a written agreement before applying.
Prepare Documents: Gather required documents: certified copies of degrees and transcripts, CV, research plan (2-3 pages), supervisor endorsement letter, and passport copy. Translate and notarize if necessary.
Submit Online Application: Submit the application through the UPM online portal (UPM PhD Admissions). Pay the application fee (approx. €30). Applications are accepted year-round.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview with the doctoral committee. The interview assesses research potential and motivation. Prepare to discuss your research plan.
Enrollment: Upon acceptance, complete enrollment at the UPM Doctoral School. Register for courses and formalize your research plan. International students must then apply for a student visa at the Spanish consulate.

For inquiries, contact the UPM Doctoral School at [email protected] or call . Deadlines vary by program; check the official website for updates.

Application Deadlines

UPM accepts PhD applications on a rolling basis, but scholarships have specific calls. The main call for international students opens in March and closes in May. A second call may open in September. Visit the official website for exact dates: UPM PhD Deadlines.

Official UPM PhD Website

For more information, please visit the official website: PhD Scholarships at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid / UPM

Contact Information for PhD Admissions and Inquiries

For inquiries about PhD scholarships, reach out to UPM via email at [email protected] or call .

Physical Address:
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Avda. de la Memoria, 4
28040 Madrid
Spain

Additional Information for International PhD Candidates

International Student Services

UPM's International Office provides support with visas, residence permits, and accommodation. They organize orientation weeks and language courses. Contact: [email protected].

Career Prospects

PhD graduates from UPM have excellent career prospects in academia, industry, and research institutes. The university has a dedicated Career Center that offers job placement services and networking events.upm.es/internacional/students/Admissions" target="_blank">Admissions Guide

PhD scholarship programs and External Funding Opportunities for PhD Scholarships in Agriculture

UPM PhD Scholarships

UPM offers its own scholarships for international PhD students, covering tuition and a monthly stipend. Eligibility: master's degree, supervisor endorsement. Apply via UPM website.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorates

EU-funded programs in sustainable agriculture and environmental sciences. Full scholarships for non-EU students.

La Caixa Foundation Fellowships

Fellowships for doctoral studies in Spain, including UPM. Covers living expenses and research costs.

University Location