The Fundación Botín has announced the opening of the 17th edition of the Program for Strengthening Public Service in Latin America, an initiative aimed at university students from all fields of study who demonstrate a vocation for public service and leadership potential. The program seeks to contribute to the improvement of public institutions across the region by encouraging talented young Latin Americans to pursue careers in public administration and governance.

With 16 years of trajectory, the initiative has already trained 538 participants, who are now part of the Alumni Network and work in the public sector or lead projects focused on institutional development in their countries.

The 2026 edition will begin on October 13 at Universidad de los Andes, in Colombia. Activities will then continue in Spain, in the cities of Santander (Cantabria), Madrid, Santiago de Compostela, and Salamanca, and will conclude in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in partnership with the Fundação Getulio Vargas, with a closing ceremony scheduled for December 3, 2026.

All program costs, including tuition, travel, and accommodation, will be fully covered by Fundación Botín.

Applications are open from March 3 to May 20, 2026, through the online form available on the organization’s website. Undergraduate students from Latin American universities who meet the program’s requirements may apply.

The program seeks young people who demonstrate, through concrete actions, a commitment to improving their communities and social environment.

Main eligibility requirements include:

• Holding nationality of a Latin American country

• Being an active undergraduate student at a Latin American university, having completed at least 50% of the program at the time of application, without having graduated

• Being born between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2006

• Presenting endorsement from the home university

• Demonstrating sufficient Spanish proficiency when it is not the applicant’s native language

• Completing the application form and submitting all required documents before the deadline

The application process also includes a proactivity challenge, in which candidates are encouraged to motivate at least three other people to apply to the program. Participation in this step is not mandatory, but it will be considered during the evaluation process.

Students from STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) are especially encouraged to apply.

Required documents include:

• University endorsement letter

• Signed declaration confirming the accuracy of academic information

• Copy of passport

• Digital photograph

• Video of up to 1 minute, uploaded to YouTube, answering the questions specified in the program guidelines

For Brazilian applicants, a certificate of proficiency in English or Spanish is recommended but not mandatory.

More information and the application form are available on the Fundación Botín website.

Please note that this is an independent opportunity. REINTER supports the dissemination of this call but is not responsible for the application process.