Adele Baer is the first recipient of this scholarship, which supports U.S. students and residents who are passionate about exploring the cultural and historical connections between Spain, the Spanish-speaking world, and the United States.
IE School of Arts & Humanities, through IE Foundation, and in collaboration with the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI), welcome Adele Baer as the first recipient of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Scholarship for the Humanities.
Baer has joined IE University’s Bachelor in Humanities program for the 2026–2027 academic year and is the first student to receive the scholarship, which covers 50% of tuition for the duration of the degree.
“I feel very honored to be the first recipient of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Scholarship for the Humanities. I am happy to see recognition and support of an education in humanities; this well-rounded bachelor at IE University is exactly what the world needs right now. This scholarship will make it possible for more students to take this path and learn what it is to be human in an international and diverse environment”, said Adele Baer.
“The QSSI is proud to welcome Adele Baer as the first recipient of this scholarship. The program was created to offer a tangible opportunity for a new generation to deepen its understanding of the long-standing connections between Spain and the United States through the humanities. As Adele undertakes her studies at IE University, that mission is brought to life. This is the real, concrete, meaning that the QSSI set out to achieve through America&Spain250, deepening mutual understanding through the acquisition of rigorous knowledge”, said Begoña Santos, President & CEO of Queen Sofía Spanish Institute.
Created as part of the America&Spain250 initiative, the scholarship supports outstanding U.S. students and residents who are passionate about exploring the cultural and historical connections between Spain, the Spanish-speaking world and the United States. The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, IE Foundation and IE School of Arts & Humanities to fostering greater understanding between both sides of the Atlantic through the humanities.
“We are delighted to welcome Adele as the first recipient of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Scholarship for the Humanities. Her arrival marks an important milestone in this collaboration and in our shared commitment to making the humanities accessible to talented students who are interested in building bridges between Spain and the United States”, said Catalina Tejero, Dean of IE School of Arts & Humanities.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to help students use their education to deepen understanding across cultures and contribute far beyond themselves. At IE Foundation, we are committed to supporting outstanding talent from around the world who aspire to shape a more just, sustainable, and humane future”, added Gonzalo Garland, Executive Vice President of IE Foundation.
The scholarship was launched in 2025 on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and was officially unveiled at the II America&Spain250 Symposium in Washington, D.C. As the III America&Spain250 Symposium brings scholars together in New Orleans to explore Spain’s historical role in the birth of the United States, the second edition of the scholarship opens the door for a new generation of students to explore that shared history themselves.
