Academic and sports excellence scholarships from the Community of Madrid These grants are being offered again for the 2025-2026 academic year with the aim of supporting students who dedicate themselves fully to both their studies and competitions. This aid is designed for those who combine demanding higher education studies with... high-level sports practice, something that is not always easy.
This call is addressed to university students and students of higher artistic education Students who study at centers based in the Community of Madrid and who also demonstrate outstanding athletic performance at the national and international levels are eligible. The combination of academic and athletic merit is key to accessing these grants, which have a fixed budget and a limited number of places.
Calendar and general characteristics of the call
According to information released by the Community of Madrid, the The call for applications will be published on May 11.From that moment, all the bases will be officially established. deadline for submitting applications will remain open from May 12th to June 2nd, both inclusiveTherefore, those interested will have a little over two weeks to complete all the procedures.
The program includes a total of 125 scholarships for academic and athletic excellence, all of them with an individual amount of 2.100 euros per beneficiaryThe total investment for this call for proposals amounts to 262.500 Euros, distributed entirely among the selected students, without economic differences between the different profiles.
The distribution of places remains in two large blocks: 85 scholarships for students already enrolled in university or higher artistic education, and 40 grants reserved for newly enrolled students who have taken the PAU in 2025 and will begin their studies in the 2025-2026 academic year in the Community of Madrid.
These scholarships are compatible with other aid or subsidies These grants are available from public or private sources, allowing beneficiaries to supplement this contribution with other funding sources, provided they meet the conditions of each program. The call for proposals thus seeks not to replace, but to reinforce, the resources these students already have.
Who can apply for the scholarships: recipients and centers
Those eligible for these grants are students enrolled in official education programs from a university in the Community of Madrid or from a higher center of artistic studies whose headquarters are located in this region, provided that said registration corresponds to the 2025-2026 academic year.
In the case of newly admitted studentsIt is specifically aimed at those who have completed the University Entrance Exam (PAU) in 2025 and enroll in higher education studies in Madrid for the first time. There is a specific procedure and application link for them on the Community's website.
Meanwhile, the students who were already enrolled in the 2024-2025 academic year Those who continue their studies can apply for the scholarship through a different form, also available at the electronic headquarters of the Community of Madrid, with academic requirements adjusted to their previous record.
The announcement also makes it clear that the scholarships are exclusively for official degree studies, long cycles or equivalent in universities and higher education centers for artistic studies. Other types of unregulated or non-official training are excluded from this program, even if the applicant has relevant sporting achievements.
Academic requirements: minimum grades according to studies
To access these grants, it is not enough to excel in sports; it is essential demonstrate a solid academic track recordThe call for applications establishes a series of minimum average grades which vary depending on the type of higher education studies the applicant is pursuing.
In the case of students entering university for the first time through the PAU (University Access Exam), a minimum average grade of 10,8 pointsThis grade is obtained from the combination of the general phase of the test and, where applicable, the specific weightings determined by current regulations.
For those already enrolled in university studies, the minimum thresholds differ depending on the field of study:
- Short and long cycle technical training, and degrees belonging to the branch of Engineering and ArchitectureA grade point average equal to or higher is required. 6,65 points.
- Medical studies, double degrees and concurrent study programsThe minimum required average grade is 7,15 points.
- Other university degrees not included in the previous sections: must achieve at least an average of 7,65 points.
These academic requirements, combined with the athletic requirements, aim to ensure that the scholarships are allocated to profiles that truly excel in both areas, reinforcing the idea of ​​dual excellence that inspires the program.
Merits and sporting conditions to qualify for the aid
The athletic component is the other fundamental pillar of these scholarships. To apply, you must have a valid sports license issued by a Madrid federation or, failing that, a license approved by a Spanish federationFurthermore, the candidate cannot be fulfilling no final sanction imposed by a sports federation or by the Administration.
Along with the license, the applicant must meet at least one of the sporting requirements The call for nominations includes various levels of participation and results in high-level competitions. These merits are intended to recognize both established athletes and young talents already competing at the elite level.
The main sporting criteria include:
- Having participated in official European or World championshipsas well as in official European or world cups organized by the corresponding federations.
- Having been a medalist in official Spanish championships, in any of the recognized categories.
- To be among the top eight positions in the official national ranking published by the corresponding Spanish federation, taking as a reference the end of the previous year or season, according to the federation calendar.
- Having competed in the top league of disciplines such as basketball, baseball, handball, ice hockey, wheelchair basketball, football, futsal, gymnastics, field hockey, water polo, roller hockey, inline hockey, rugby 15, volleyball, American football or kayak polo.
- Participation in official Spanish championships or top-level international competitions as judge or referee, always with a valid license.
With this range of merits, the Community of Madrid attempts to encompass both individual athletes as well as team sports playersas well as key figures in refereeing and sports judging, recognizing their contribution to high performance.
Sports documentation and accreditation of merits
From a sporting point of view, the central piece of documentation is the so-called sports certificate (Annex III)This document must be issued by the Madrid federation or by the corresponding Spanish federation and will serve to officially accredit the sporting merits claimed by the applicant.
The certificate must go digitally signed by the president or the secretary general from the federation, which guarantees the authenticity of the information and avoids the need to submit multiple separate supporting documents. This appendix will detail the competitions played, results obtained, rankings, and any other relevant data.
It is important for the student to review in advance what sporting achievements are listed in the rules as valid and ensure that the federation includes this information in the certificate. Any discrepancies or missing data may result in further requests for information or even the exclusion of the application.
In addition to the certificate, the administration may request additional information if it deems it necessary. verify participation in official championships or top-level leaguesespecially when it comes to international competitions or very specific rankings.
How and where to apply
The Community of Madrid has enabled several flexible ways for students to apply for the scholarship. Applications can be submitted in person in the official records, through telematic processing through the electronic headquarters or even by post, following the instructions that will be published along with the Call for Applications.
In the digital section, the regional government insists on the use of the Digital AccountAn online tool that allows you to complete the process more quickly and with guidance. This system helps the applicant identify the appropriate support modeldifferentiating between those who are starting university for the first time and those who are already pursuing higher education.
For students who took the PAU in 2025 For new students, information and the application form will be available on the electronic portal via the following link: "academic-sports scholarship for new students"This procedure is adapted to the particularities of those who do not yet have a consolidated university record.
In contrast, students already enrolled from the 2024-2025 academic year They will need to access the section of "academic-sports scholarship for enrolled students"You can also find the application form, the list of required documents, and the steps to complete the submission on the Community of Madrid's website.
Access to information and publication of the call for applications
The Community of Madrid has announced that access will be granted to all the detailed information about the call for applications through a link that will be provided the day before the official publication of the Order. Through this access, interested parties can consult the complete terms and conditions, annexes, certificate templates and any clarification on requirements and procedures.
Once the Order appears in official bulletins and channels, the electronic forms and processing tools, including the Digital Account, so that students can start submitting their application within the established deadline.
The regional government emphasizes that this digital system is designed to make the process more efficient. agile, intuitive and centralizedreducing travel and simplifying document management. However, in-person and postal options remain available for those who cannot or do not wish to use electronic means.
Aside from the technical aspects, the call for applications insists on carefully reviewing the compatibility conditions with other scholarships, the criteria for evaluating files and the deadlines for correcting errors in case of missing documentation or errors in the application.
Support for dual talent: scholarship objectives
Beyond the financial amount, these scholarships are part of the regional strategy of promote dual careersThese programs allow students to excel in both areas without being forced to choose between high-level sports and a solid academic foundation. The aim is to enable young people to maintain high performance in both without one ultimately overshadowing the other.
The Madrid Executive highlights that with this initiative acknowledges the added effort This involves balancing training, travel, competitions, and exams, especially during periods of peak athletic activity. Financial aid can help cover expenses related to equipment, travel, or tuition.
Furthermore, by requiring a combination of good academic record and relevant sporting achievementsThe call focuses on profiles that can become role models for other young people considering a similar path, showing that it is possible to perform at your best in class and on the field.
Overall, Madrid's academic and athletic excellence scholarships are becoming established as a tool for retain and support talent in universities and higher education institutions of the region, while reinforcing the presence of Madrid athletes in top-level national and international competitions.
With a limited number of places, demanding academic requirements, and a clear focus on high-performance sports, this program is designed as a relevant opportunity for students who excel in both areas and that they study in the Community of Madrid during the 2025-2026 academic year, offering financial support and institutional recognition to their academic and sporting career.
