UGR Internationalization Strategy (2026-2031)
Introduction
As envisaged in the UGR 2031 Strategic Plan, the University of Granada (UGR) endeavours to be an international university that is open to the world and committed to serving a multicultural and global society. Internationalization is a prerequisite for the UGR's future success in the generation, dissemination and transfer of knowledge, and is therefore one of the strategic pillars underpinning the governance of our institution. Many changes have taken place since we approved our original International Strategy in 2017, hence the need for an updated roadmap adapted to the current trends and developments in the European and international higher education (HE) context.
The rationale behind this new Strategy is based on the following key considerations:
Adapting to a changing global environment. Internationalization in higher education is not a static concept. Geopolitical dynamics, technological advances, new forms of academic collaboration, and global challenges such as climate change and inequalities entail that we must constantly review and adapt our priorities and procedures related to international activities.
Consolidating the UGR's status as an institution of excellence. Internationalization is a key element in achieving and maintaining academic quality and excellence. The Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization's mission is to connect the UGR with the HE systems of other countries so that we can offer our students and staff opportunities for growth and improvement. We strive for constant progress in the quality of our formal and informal academic programmes, thereby ensuring that we continue to recruit international talent and serve as a leader within the international HE community.
Boosting the UGR's global impact: This policy document seeks to promote the establishment and consolidation of strategic and enduring multilateral alliances to ensure the global dissemination of our teaching, research and knowledge transfer activities. This approach will enhance the UGR's global reach, while promoting cultural enrichment and scientific and academic progress.
Harnessing the strategic value of the Arqus Alliance: We believe that our firm commitment to the Arqus Alliance is crucial to paving the way for a new dimension in European higher education. In this regard, the Strategy seeks to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the Alliance to boost our activities and strengthen our participation in European forums.
Promoting the cross-cutting integration of internationalization: Our Strategy acknowledges that internationalization must permeate all sectors of the university community. It seeks to integrate the international perspective into students' formal and informal learning, as well as into teaching, research, knowledge transfer and the day-to-day activities of our technical, management, administrative and support staff (PTGAS).
Responding to new priorities in international mobility: International mobility programmes are evolving towards more flexible, sustainable and inclusive models, paying greater attention to groups with fewer opportunities. Our new Strategy seeks to ensure that the UGR retains its leading role in both incoming and outgoing mobility, while incentivising innovative formats such as short-term mobility and blended intensive programmes.
Strengthening the UGR Language Policy: In a globalised world, language proficiency and the promotion of interculturality are fundamental. The UGR’s Language Policy seeks to improve the language skills of the entire university community, promoting multilingualism while also emphasising the value of the Spanish language.
In short, the UGR Internationalization Strategy 2026-2031 is a much-needed and carefully planned response to the challenges and opportunities that are present in today's globalised world. This new document follows on from the 2017 International Strategy and also encompasses our Language Policy. It has been developed through a process of collective reflection, with the aim of consolidating our university’s status as an internationally relevant, high-quality institution that is well-prepared for the future, while remaining committed to our values. The implementation of this Strategy will enable us to continue advancing in our mission and vision as a global and socially engaged university.
Click here to view the full document (in Spanish): UGR Internationalization Strategy
Objectives
Establish and consolidate strategic, sustainable and multilateral alliances that are key to the global dissemination and promotion of our teaching, research and knowledge transfer activities.
Boost the involvement of the entire university community (students, PDI and PTGAS staff) in the activities of the Arqus Alliance.
Promote joint academic programmes between alliance partners.
Boost the research dimension within the Alliance.
Promote internationalization in students' formal and informal learning, with a view to enhancing their employability.
Foster the international dimension in UGR teaching and learning, research, knowledge transfer, and services.
Boost talent recruitment across all areas and sectors of the university community.
Retain our leading role in both incoming and outgoing student mobility in order to further enrich the international character of our campuses, as well as the academic and personal lives of our students.
Improve the training and teaching methodologies of our academic and research staff (PDI) through their participation in international mobility programmes and international teacher training projects.
Improve the mobilities of our technical, management, administrative and support staff (PTGAS) with a view to enhancing and optimising the functioning of our institution.
Make progress in implementing innovative mobility programmes that are adapted to the personal and academic circumstances of students, PDI staff and PTGAS staff alike. These new programmes, which act as alternatives to traditional forms of mobility, are designed to enrich the academic and personal experiences of those who participate in them.
Promote the internationalization of formal and informal programmes.
Consolidate our programmes through the international dimension in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Promote Spanish as an international academic and scientific language.
Enhance and accredit the language skills of the entire UGR community through foreign language training and certifications.
Consolidate the UGR's position as a standard-bearer for language policy within the international university sphere.
Boost the international visibility of the UGR.
Strategic priorities included in the UGR Internationalization Strategy (2026-2031)
Our new Internationalization Strategy is based on six strategic priorities:
Strategic priority 1. International academic cooperation.
Strategic priority 2. The Arqus Alliance as a driver of transformation in European higher education.
Strategic priority 3. Cross-cutting and comprehensive internationalization at the UGR.
Strategic priority 4. International mobility.
Strategic priority 5. Internationalization of studies.
Strategic priority 6. Language policy.
Each of these strategic priorities is linked to the pillars and action areas of the UGR 2031 Strategic Plan, as well as to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
UGR Internationalization Fund
The UGR Internationalization Fund 2026 consolidates the financial instruments designed to support both the UGR Internationalization Strategy 2026–2031 and the actions outlined in Strategic Priority 7 of the UGR Master Plan 2026, with a view to promoting cross-cutting, sustainable internationalization that is integrated into all aspects of university life.
As with the previous 17 editions of the programme, this 18th edition is funded through the University’s own resources, in accordance with the UGR Budget. These funds are allocated to activities that directly impact the institution's internationalization strategy. They will be used to promote initiatives that complement those already covered by national and European programmes, as well as to bolster the implementation of projects that have received external funding.
The UGR Internationalization Fund 2026 is structured into seven programmes designed to promote and strengthen the international dimension of study, teaching, research and university management in a sustainable manner. It also encourages the University of Granada community to participate in initiatives that contribute to its global reach, through both international mobility and internationalization-at-home activities.
PROGRAMMES
PROGRAMME 1. GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MOBILITY
1.1. Mobility grants for undergraduate students
1.1.1. Grants for undergraduate students completing mobilities without external funding
1.1.2. Supplementary grants for undergraduate students participating in the Erasmus+ Programme
1.2. Mobility grants for postgraduate students
1.2.1. Grants for doctoral students completing mobilities not funded under the Erasmus+ Programme
1.2.2. Mobility grants for master's students under the framework of the Federico García Lorca Andalusian Postgraduate Scholarship Programme (Iberoamerican University Association for Postgraduate Studies - AUIP)
1.3. Grants for mobilities within the framework of international double, multiple and joint degrees
PROGRAMME 2. GRANTS FOR SHORT MOBILITIES
2.1. Grants for international training placements
2.2. Mobility grants for participation in International Summer Schools
2.3. Supplementary funding for Erasmus+ grants for participants in blended mobility programmes (BIP and BM)
2.4. Supplementary funding for Erasmus+ short-term mobilities for doctoral students
PROGRAMME 3. GRANTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY OF ACADEMIC STAFF FOR TEACHING OR TRAINING PURPOSES, AND FOR TECHNICAL, MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AND SERVICE STAFF FOR TRAINING PURPOSES
3.1. Supplementary funding for Erasmus+ grants
3.2. Mobility grants under UGR bilateral agreements or multilateral networks
PROGRAMME 4. AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN INTERNATIONALIZATION
4.1. Student awards for excellence in international mobility
4.2. Staff awards for excellence in international mobility and for academic teams involved in the internationalization of the curriculum
PROGRAMME 5. GRANTS SUPPORTING THE UGR LANGUAGE POLICY
5.1. Grants for language training and accreditation for teaching and research staff
5.2. Language courses and accreditation of language skills for teaching and research staff involved in internationalization activities
5.3. Grants for language training, including an English language and culture course at an English-speaking university, aimed at UGR teaching and research staff and technical and administrative staff
5.4. Grants for the accreditation of language skills for technical, management, administrative and support staff — February 2026
5.5. Support for strengthening students’ foreign language skills
5.6. Accommodation grants for visiting lecturers participating in language support programmes
5.7. Grants for initiatives supporting the UGR Strategy on Spanish as an International Academic and Scientific Language
PROGRAMME 6. "SPANISH BILINGUAL CENTRES ABROAD" TALENT RECRUITMENT PROGRAMME
6. Grants for students on the Bilingual Sections Programme and Ukrainian students at institutions specialising in the teaching of Spanish (agreements with countries in Eastern Europe)
PROGRAMME 7. SUPPORT FOR INITIATIVES AND THE MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONALIZATION ACTIVITIES
7.1. Grants for the preparation of applications and pre-evaluation of proposals for academic cooperation projects within the framework of international programmes and networks
7.2. Grants for the creation of international double, multiple or joint degree programmes
7.3. Grants for the creation and consolidation of permanent international cooperation networks
7.4. Grants for initiatives aimed at internationalising the curriculum or promoting internationalization-at-home
7.5. Grants for the participation of students in international activities (Model UN, WHO simulations, etc.)
7.6. Grants for other internationalization activities
Spanish as an International Academic and Scientific Language: Towards a Strategy at the UGR
In its session of 30 January 2025, the Governing Council of the University of Granada (UGR) approved a key strategic document aimed at promoting Spanish as an international academic and scientific language. Developed by the Directorate for Language Services and Resources (Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization), the plan sets out a series of objectives and actions for the period 2025-2031.
The document responds to the need to counteract the limited use of the Spanish language in the production and transfer of specialised knowledge, despite the large number of speakers around the world and the growing demand for certifications. The dominance of English in scientific communication has led to a limited output of scientific publications and text corpora, as well as a lack of neologisms for disseminating scientific knowledge in Spanish. In turn, this has resulted in the limited development of both language technologies (LT) and AI models in Spanish, with implications for scientific pluralism and universal access to knowledge.
In the words of Vice-Rector for Internationalization Inmaculada Marrero, this Strategy demonstrates the UGR’s role as a standard-bearing institution in academic internationalization, as well as its commitment to promoting Spanish as a valid language for disseminating scientific and technological knowledge. The Strategy is also aligned with the UGR's vision for the future, drawing on some of the pillars and action areas of the UGR 2031 Strategic Plan, including internationalization, inclusion, digital transformation and social responsibility.
Proposed actions
To achieve these objectives, the Strategy sets out a number of specific actions, including:
- Creating a Committee for the Promotion of Academic Spanish at the UGR, which will be responsible for setting priorities and coordinating actions.
- Establishing cooperation with institutions such as the Cervantes Institute and the Directorate-General for Spanish in the World (DGEM) in order to coordinate strategies.
- Encouraging the publication of scientific content in Spanish in university media and digital platforms.
- Creating a standardised corpus of scientific Spanish in coordination with Spanish-speaking countries.
- Boosting the presence of the Modern Languages Centre (CLM) in key markets for Spanish as a second language.
Next steps
Over the coming months, the University of Granada will implement a series of initial actions and will seek to collaborate with local, regional, national and international organisations. This preliminary document will serve to kickstart a debate that will help to position Spanish as a language of science and technology on the international stage.
Contact details:
Silvia Montero Martínez
Directorate for Language Services and Resources. Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization. University of Granada.
Email: smontero@ugr.es