The Telefónica Foundation has announced an ambitious €12 million scholarship program aimed at supporting 150 young talents in fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies to strengthen Spain's position as an innovation hub.

High level of funding

The program has a budget of €12 million, offering up to €80,000 per individual scholarship for master's and doctoral students.

Key fields of study

Support covers specializations in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, biotechnology, and robotics.

Talent retention mechanism

Beneficiaries studying abroad are required to return to Spain to apply their knowledge in the national technology sector.

The Telefónica Foundation will allocate €12 million to a program of 150 scholarships for young tech talents, to be implemented by 2028. The initiative plans to award 50 grants annually, with financial support targeted at master's and doctoral students. The program focuses on key areas for the modern economy, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum technologies, and cybersecurity. Each beneficiary can receive up to €80,000 to cover education and research costs in the most innovative sectors, including biotechnology and robotics.

The project was officially presented by Marc Murtra, who has served as the executive chairman of Telefónica since January 2025, and Enrique Goñi, who has headed the Telefónica Foundation since May 2025. The main goal of the program is not only to support education but also to counteract brain drain and strengthen the national innovation ecosystem. Beneficiaries who choose to study at prestigious foreign institutions are required to return to Spain after completing their studies. The knowledge they acquire is to be utilized in Spanish companies, universities, or technology centers, which is intended to stimulate the development of local science and industry.

The Telefónica Foundation is the social arm of the Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica S.A., which ranks as the fourth largest in Europe. The Madrid-based company has been involved in digitalization projects for years, and the current scholarship program is one of the largest such initiatives funded by private capital in Spain. This strategy aligns with the country's ambition to become a European technology hub in the areas of quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. The foundation's previous activities have focused mainly on digital education in schools and supporting inclusivity in access to new technologies in Spanish-speaking regions.

The €12 million investment is spread over three editions, ensuring continuous support for young scientists in the coming years. Planned number of scholarships for 2026-2028: 2026: 50, 2027: 50, 2028: 50 Key program milestones and leadership changes: January 2025 — New Telefónica Chairman; May 2025 — Change at the foundation; March 11, 2026 — Program announcement; by the end of 2028 — Program completion

Mentioned People

  • Marc Murtra — Spanish engineer and entrepreneur, current executive chairman of Telefónica since January 2025.
  • Enrique Goñi — Chairman of the Telefónica Foundation since May 2025.
  • José María Álvarez-Pallete — Previous executive chairman of the Telefónica group, replaced in 2025.