Puerto Rico’s Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) has opened applications for the 2026-27 Teodoro Moscoso Scholarship, with $2 million available to students pursuing degrees and technical programs in high-demand fields. The application deadline is Monday, October 26, 2026. The scholarship is open to Puerto Rican students ages 18 to 29 who live in Puerto Rico and are pursuing bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees, as well as technical and vocational programs in areas considered critical to the island’s workforce.
Students in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs may receive up to $40,000, while those in technical or vocational programs may receive up to $10,000. The DDEC said this year’s funding is an increase from the $1.2 million allocated in the previous cycle. Last year, 44 students were selected, 36 of them studying in Puerto Rico and eight attending programs outside the island.
The 2026-27 program emphasizes research doctorates in scientific fields, as part of the government’s effort to strengthen Puerto Rico’s position as a center for research, innovation and specialized talent. Eligible health sciences and biosciences programs include research doctorates in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences, biotechnology and bioprocesses, chemistry, biomedical engineering and bioinformatics, along with combined M.D./Ph.D. programs.
Master’s programs in clinical research, regulatory affairs, industrial biotechnology and data science applied to health are also covered. Students in high-demand clinical professions, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, medical technology and radiologic technology, may also qualify.