The Ferrer-Salat Music Foundation Scholarships are full-ride awards covering the entire four-year cost of higher music studies at the Conservatori Liceu in Barcelona, Spain. Established by the Fundació Ferrer de Música, the scholarships are open to Spanish nationals pursuing bachelor's degrees in classical and contemporary music performance, jazz and modern music performance, flamenco guitar, composition, and pedagogy. The 2026 call offers 12 full scholarships with no repayment required. The scholarship covers tuition, access to conservatory facilities, and participation in masterclasses and concert cycles. It is best suited for talented Spanish musicians who cannot afford the cost of higher music education and want to study at one of Spain's most prestigious conservatories.
How the Ferrer-Salat Scholarships Work
The Fundació Ferrer de Música was established to make higher music education accessible to talented young musicians who lack the financial means to pursue it. For more than a decade, the Foundation has sponsored promising young talents through the Ferrer-Salat scholarships for higher music studies at the Conservatori Liceu.
The scholarship covers the cost of four school years at the Conservatori Liceu, including tuition, access to facilities, and participation in masterclasses and concerts organized each year. Scholarship recipients come together in a shared meeting space where their growth is encouraged through chamber groups, masterclasses, and the constant support of distinguished teachers and repertoire performers.
The Foundation also offers Excellence Scholarships for students already enrolled at the conservatory. These are annual awards recognizing outstanding academic trajectories, separate from the four-year scholarships for new students.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Ferrer-Salat Scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality: Spanish nationality is required.
- Age (Performance and Pedagogy): Born after December 31, 1999, for all Jazz and Modern Music Performance and Flamenco Guitar Performance modalities, and for all Classical and Contemporary Music Performance modalities except Voice.
- Age (Voice): Born after December 31, 1997, for the Voice modality within Classical and Contemporary Music Performance.
- Age (Composition): Born after December 31, 1997, for the Composition specialisation.
- Enrollment: Winning candidates must pass the entrance exams for the Conservatori Liceu and enroll to begin their higher studies.
Modalities
The scholarships cover the following areas of study:
- Classical and Contemporary Music Performance (all instruments except Voice: born after 1999; Voice: born after 1997)
- Jazz and Modern Music Performance (born after 1999)
- Flamenco Guitar Performance (born after 1999)
- Composition (born after 1997)
- Pedagogy
Application Details
2026 Calendar
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration and submission of documentation and videos | Until March 22, 2026 |
| Open Doors Day | February 21, 2026 |
| Publication of candidates selected for second phase | April 18, 2026 |
| Second phase auditions (Performance) and exercises/interviews (Composition) | May 4 to 7, 2026 |
| Final results announced | May 7, 2026 |
Required Materials
The online registration form must be completed with the following scanned documents:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Copy of ID document
- Academic record
- Letter of intent (following the online form)
- Video recordings (for Performance and Pedagogy candidates)
- Composition works (for Composition candidates)
Applications are submitted through the Conservatori Liceu website at conservatoriliceu.es. The registration form and letter of motivation are available on the conservatory's scholarship page.
Selection Process
The selection process has two phases. In the first phase, candidates submit documentation and video recordings (for Performance) or compositions (for Composition). The jury evaluates these materials and selects candidates for the second phase. In the second phase, selected candidates attend in-person auditions at the Conservatori Liceu in Barcelona (May 4 to 7, 2026). Composition candidates complete exercises and an interview instead of auditions. Final results are announced on May 7, 2026.
Benefits
- Full tuition coverage: The scholarship covers the cost of all four years of the bachelor's degree at the Conservatori Liceu.
- No repayment required: The scholarship is a grant, not a loan. Recipients do not need to repay any amount.
- Masterclass access: Recipients participate in masterclasses and concert cycles organized by the Foundation and the conservatory.
- Chamber music opportunities: Recipients form chamber groups with other scholarship holders, building artistic growth through collaboration.
- Mentorship: Distinguished teachers and repertoire performers provide ongoing support throughout the studies.
- Performance opportunities: The Foundation promotes activity both within the conservatory and externally, with practices, recitals, and opportunities to begin building a professional network.
- Excellence scholarships: Students already enrolled at the conservatory can apply for annual Excellence Scholarships to recognize outstanding academic trajectories.
Real-World Example
A 20-year-old Spanish violinist wants to study classical music performance at the Conservatori Liceu but cannot afford the tuition. They were born in 2005, which meets the age requirement (born after December 31, 1999) for Classical and Contemporary Music Performance. They prepare a CV, gather their academic record, write a letter of intent, and record audition videos of representative repertoire. They submit everything through the online form before March 22, 2026.
If selected for the second phase, they travel to Barcelona for auditions on May 4 to 7, 2026. If they pass the auditions and the Conservatori Liceu entrance exams, they receive a full scholarship covering four years of tuition. They also join a cohort of scholarship recipients who study together, perform in chamber groups, and attend masterclasses with visiting artists. Upon graduation, they have a bachelor's degree from one of Spain's most prestigious conservatories with zero student debt.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Spanish nationality required: Only Spanish citizens are eligible. International students cannot apply.
- Age restrictions: The age limits vary by modality. Older candidates may not qualify for certain performance tracks.
- Conservatori Liceu only: The scholarship applies only to studies at the Conservatori Liceu in Barcelona. You cannot use it at another institution.
- Competitive: Only 12 full scholarships are offered each year. The selection process includes two phases with auditions.
- Barcelona relocation: Recipients must move to Barcelona and attend in-person classes. There is no online or remote option.
- Annual review: Recipients must demonstrate artistic and academic progress year after year to maintain the scholarship.
- Language: Instruction is primarily in Spanish and Catalan. Non-Catalan speakers may need to adapt.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
The Ferrer-Salat Scholarships are among the most generous music scholarships available in Spain. They cover the full cost of a four-year bachelor's degree at a prestigious conservatory, with no repayment obligation. For Spanish musicians who cannot afford higher music education, this scholarship can be the difference between pursuing a professional music career and abandoning it.
If you are a Spanish musician between the ages of 18 and 28 (depending on modality), the Ferrer-Salat Scholarships should be at the top of your application list. Prepare your materials early, as the March 22 deadline requires video recordings and a complete application package. The Open Doors Day on February 21, 2026 is an opportunity to visit the conservatory and learn about the programs before applying.
For students already enrolled at the Conservatori Liceu, the Excellence Scholarships provide additional recognition and financial support for outstanding academic work.
Related Opportunities
- Berklee World Tour Scholarships for international students auditioning for Berklee
- Berklee College Scholarships for students attending Berklee
- Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation for Latin music students
- Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
- Ferrer-Salat Scholarships Official Page for guidelines and application
- Conservatori Liceu Scholarships for application portal
