Fulbright Scholar Award

Business Management at the Universidad de Murcia

Spain

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25101-ES
Activity Type
Teaching/Research
A combination of teaching and research as described above. Refer to the award description for any specifications on percentages of time that should be devoted to teaching vs research.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required
Career Profile
Mid-Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.

Number of recipients

Up To
1
Award Start Period
October 2025 - March 2026
Award Length
3 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Business
Scholars selected for this award will be required to
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Award Activity

Teaching graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution, and conducting a research project of the applicant´s choosing or as designated by the host institution.

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

A) Teaching:

The candidate is expected to teach in the Master in Business Administration (MBA) program of our university. The course/s in which the candidate will participate will be chosen according to his/her interest and previous experience (program syllabus available at www.um.es/mba)

The candidate could also teach in some undergraduate programs and may be asked to give a seminar within our doctoral  program(www.um.es/web/estudios/doctorado/empresa)

Please note that the Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree program is completely taught in Spanish as approved by ANECA (Spanish Agency for Quality Assessment in Education. More info is available at www.um.es/mba). Therefore, the scholar should be able to teach in Spanish.

B) Research:

The candidate is expected to collaborate with the university's research groups on Business Administration, Management, Innovation or Finance topics, according to his/her interests and profile. This collaboration may include but is not limited to meetings, research paper proposals, doctorate seminars, and participation in research projects. The list of research groups can be found at https://curie.um.es/curie/catalogo-consulta-resultado.du

Some researchers of above-mentioned research groups participate at the Master of Business Administration (MBA). They have links to international universities and companies around the world. For instance, some teachers have participated as researchers in H2020 European Project ENVISION and Erasmus + Projects. Others have been visiting scholars in U.S. and European universities. Still others have worked in international companies.

Award Length and Period

First or second semester of the 2025/26 academic year.

Areas of Interest

Main areas of interest: Innovation Management, Knowledge Management, Human Resource Management, Operations Management, Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, Family Business.

Other areas of interest: any other related to the knowledge provided by an MBA program, such as marketing, finance or accounting.

Special Features

The Universidad de Murcia (UM) sponsors this award and, in addition to financial benefits, offers advice to find housing and, if necessary, a school for dependent children. A contact will be available to help the professor adapt to the university. The Scholar will enjoy all the benefits and rights of a regular faculty member of the UM, including access to all digital resources.

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award.
Dual citizens of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is optional.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

The host institution welcomes scholars to seek more detailed information.

Contact: Prof. Raquel Sanz Valle, Department of Management and Finance

Email: raquel@um.es

Language Proficiency Requirements
Required (Advanced): Spanish
Required Proficiency

Applicants must register qualified language evaluator, such as a language instructor or a translator, to conduct the external assessment in the application. Being a native speaker alone does not qualify an individual to conduct the assessment.

Applicants who are native speakers do not need to complete an external evaluation.

Level of Proficiency
Advanced
Required Languages
Spanish
Additional Language Requirement

 

A Spanish B2 level (European Common Framework of Reference for Languages) or Spanish ACTFL "Intermediate high" or "Advanced-low" (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).

Applicants must register a qualified language evaluator, such as a language instructor or a translator, to conduct the external assessment in the application. Being a native speaker alone does not qualify an individual to conduct the assessment.

Applicants who are native speakers do not need to complete an external evaluation.

Most of the classes will be taught in Spanish, and the lecturer can expect students to complete the written and oral assignments in that language.

The city of Murcia, where the university is located, is in the southeastern part of Spain. The number of foreign visitors is increasing each year, but English is not widely spoken, especially among middle-aged and older people. Some students are foreigners.

Additional Qualification Information

 

Open to academics with experience in Business Administration, Management, Innovation and other fields related to the knowledge provided by a MBA. Rank of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor with substantial teaching experience.

Please note that candidates with dual U.S./Spanish citizenship, or candidates who are residing in Spain at the time of application or anytime thereafter, are not eligible for the Fulbright program in Spain.

Award Allowances

Direct grant benefits (stipend, travel, and relocation allowances) are provided by the host institution.

€3,200 per month. This amount covers the monthly stipend, housing and living allowances.

The allowances will be paid by the Spanish Commission as a lump sum once the Grant is formalized (in Euros or in Dollars, at a conversion rate to be determined on April 15, 2025. View conversion rates).

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Travel and relocation allowance for scholars: €1,300. Authorized dependents' travel allowance: €750 per person, for up to two dependents.

The allowances will be paid by the Spanish Commission as a lump sum once the Grant is formalized (in Euros or in Dollars, at a conversion rate to be determined on April 15, 2025. View conversion rates).

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

Scholars accompanied by dependents for at least 80 percent of the grant period will receive a monthly dependent allowance of €150 for one dependent or €300 for two or more dependents.

No tuition allowance will be provided. Both public and private schools in Spain have bilingual or English language instruction available. The UM offers logistical assistance in finding housing and school(s) for dependent children, if necessary.

Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.

Estimated Cost of Living

Murcia is a medium-sized city with a moderate cost of living compared to other cities such as Madrid or Barcelona.

The average cost of room and board can be between 600 and 1000 euros per month, depending on whether or not you share accommodation.

For information regarding the estimated cost of living in Murcia, please see: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Murcia,

There is a tramway route and a dense network of local buses connecting the city center and the metropolitan areas and fares are very reasonable. Flats and houses for rent are widely available in Murcia and are affordable to Fulbright scholars. The average cost of general living expenses in the Murcia region is lower than in other parts of Spain. See the following websites for more information on the cost of living and housing in Murcia: https://housinganywhere.com/Murcia--Spain/cost-of-livinghttps://www.murciaturistica.es/en/home/

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

Special Award Benefits

The Universidad de Murcia (UM) sponsors this award and, in addition to financial benefits, offers advice to find housing and, if necessary, a school for dependent children. A contact will be available to help the professor adapt to the university. The scholar will enjoy all the benefits and rights of a regular faculty member of UM, including access to all digital resources.

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

Spain

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

To learn more about Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards in Spain for 2024-25, please view our archived webinar and slides to hear directly from the Fulbright Commission, IIE staff, and U.S. Scholar alums regarding award details, the scholar experience, and application guidance.

Summary

Contingent upon the availability of funds, up to 11 All Discipline awards for Postdoctoral Researchers and a variety of co-sponsored awards for Senior Research, Teaching, or Teaching/Research are available. The co-sponsored awards have unique scopes and features, and detailed information can be found in each individual award description.

The U.S.-Spain Fulbright Commission provides extensive support to selected candidates regarding administrative issues, such as the visa and documentation processes, and ample pre-departure and arrival information. However, assistance in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions cannot be provided.

Please note that candidates with dual U.S./Spanish citizenship or candidates who are residing in Spain at the time of application or anytime thereafter are not eligible for the Fulbright Program in Spain.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in Spain?

Although Spain may be known for its nice weather and beautiful beaches, there are many other reasons why Spain has long been held as one of the most desirable destinations for Fulbright grantees. Spain’s higher education and research institutions, technological advancement, cultural opportunities, and modern infrastructure add to the country’s appeal as one of the most popular tourist destinations. Additionally, Spain’s relatively low cost of living makes it very affordable when compared to most other countries in the EU.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Spain has the highest life expectancy out of all European Union member states, at just above 80 years, and it is the 8th safest country in which to live out of all OECD member states. In fact, 82% of Spanish citizens report that they feel safe walking alone at night (World Gallup Poll).

Spain is comprised of excellent public transportation networks throughout the country. With its metropolitan public transport systems, including metro networks, buses, and trains, it is very easy to get around cities, smaller towns, or even across the country.

If you plan to come to Spain with your family, you will love the child-friendly environment. Although the Commission cannot provide assistance with school placements, rest assured that there are many options for high-quality and bilingual education. In Spain, there are public schools, private schools (religious and international), and semi-private (concertados).

For more detailed information about Spain, please see the OECD's Spain profile.

General Information about Spanish Universities and Research in Spain

There are 76 universities in Spain, 20 of which are private. Spain's universities are increasingly focused on internationalization. By offering degree programs taught partially or entirely in English, they are attracting students from a wide variety of countries, providing viewpoints in studies and discussions that are often unique and enriching for U.S. Scholars. Depending on the award, Scholars will be afforded the opportunity to teach both undergraduate and/or graduate students and/or carry out research, and they are often invited to work with faculty on curriculum development. Research groups are usually multicultural, and English is the language predominantly used in lab settings.

The academic year in Spain broadly runs from September to June, with breaks during the Winter and Spring holidays (approximately December 22-January 6 and coinciding with the weeks surrounding and including Easter). Research activity continues in July, whereas August is a very quiet month, and many academic and research institutions are closed for all or part of the month.

Additionally, there are various national and public research institutions that, together with universities, form the basic core of the Spanish public system of scientific research and technological development in Spain. These include:

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

The Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT)

The Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)

The Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC)

The National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA).

Researchers are usually fluent in English, although there may be wide variation in students’ English proficiency. For day-to-day life, a working knowledge of Spanish is useful, especially in smaller cities and towns. Language proficiency should be commensurate with the project's scope. Please discuss this point with your host institution in advance.

The friendly and open nature of most Spaniards will help make it easy for you to engage in multidisciplinary research groups and collaborate with your host institution. Many former Fulbright Scholars to Spain maintain and nurture the mutual engagement and joint research they initiated with their Spanish hosts while they enjoyed their Fulbright grant.

Prospective applicants may contact the Spanish Fulbright Commission for further information at: informacion@fulbright.es or by visiting  www.fulbright.es 

Previous Fulbright Recipients

If you wish to hear from previous US Fulbright Scholars and Researchers about their experiences in Spain, check our Fulbright Spain- Alumni Voices reel here.

Enrichment activities: Depending on the grant dates, Scholars and Researchers are welcome to participate in enrichment activities. Research seminars are organized during the Fall and Spring semesters. For reference, please take a look at an overview of the 2023 Mediterranean Research Seminar organized in Alicante and watch the video testimonials from participants.

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.