When he was just six years old, Michael Oliver discovered that magic could be a force for good. He volunteered his talents to help others, offering his gifts at the Niño Jesús Children’s Hospital every Friday for eleven years. He continued his study of the discipline, learning all it had to offer. “With that perseverance, he uses magic today to foster environments of creativity and empathy”, explained Isidro Fainé, president of the La Caixa Foundation.
Oliver joined a broader initiative, joining a cohort of 120 university students who received Foundation scholarships for postgraduate study abroad. Among them, a Fulbright recipient intends to use this opportunity to create spaces where talents can flourish within public and private organizations. A Spanish newspaper reported that the aim is not only to boost productivity but also to enhance well-being through the power of magic, as described during the CaixaForum event held in Madrid. The gathering featured the Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Column Joy, and the president of the Madrid Assembly, Eugenia Carballedo, who were present to witness the moment.
In his address, King Felipe VI congratulated the scholars, emphasizing that the scholarships offer a pathway to multiply talents and potential at world-class universities. Each recipient typically receives about 75,000 euros for their education, enabling substantial progress on their professional journeys.
Together with Queen Letizia, Felipe VI distributed the awards to the scholars of the fortieth cohort, marking a milestone in a program that demonstrates the enduring commitment of the La Caixa Foundation. The foundation, one of the most influential charitable organizations globally, has made the initiative a point of national pride and a model for social investment.
Forty years of scholarships
The scholarship program has operated continuously since its inception in 1982. To date, 5,700 individuals have benefited from La Caixa Foundation’s support. The program is credited with boosting macroeconomic outcomes, including higher productivity and broader wealth creation, while also generating reverberations in communities that attract ambitious students from diverse backgrounds.
Beyond those direct effects, the head of the foundation notes that young scholars become role models for siblings, friends, and other students in settings that might otherwise lack such opportunities. The message is clear: talent is nurtured through environment, perseverance, and passion, not merely by chance.
Profile of scholarship holders
Of the 120 scholarships awarded, 68 supported studies in Europe and 52 in North America. The United States led with 47 recipients, followed by the United Kingdom with 34. Top universities among the beneficiaries include Imperial College London, Columbia University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, Oxford, and Cambridge, reflecting a wide geographic spread of premier programs.
Across the cohort, the average applicant was 24.7 years old and came from 29 Spanish provinces, plus a few from Portugal and other countries. All entrants showcased outstanding resumes, volunteer commitments, and a strong desire for continued education. The disciplines chosen spanned engineering and technology, economics and business, international relations, and even several in the arts, including music, highlighting a broad spectrum of talents.
Chasing a PhD in funded humanities
One scholar, Laura Barn, received support to pursue a PhD in Musicology at a renowned European conservatory. Her work focuses on 19th-century pianists and the lineage of recordings that transmit performances to future generations. The project involves comparing historical interpretations with contemporary performances, offering fresh insights into the evolution of musical practice. The path to a funded humanities PhD remains demanding, requiring stability and a full-time commitment rather than viewing it as a mere hobby.
In her own words, the effort represents a rare balance of rigorous scholarship and artistic inquiry, and it stands as a testament to the opportunities that a funded scholarship program can unlock for scholars pursuing the humanities at the highest levels.
Copycat syndrome
Another scholar reflects on the astonishment of receiving such a prestigious award and the fear that a mistake might be uncovered. Vania de la Fuente-Núñez, head of the World Health Organization’s World Campaign Against Ageism and a lead author of the first UN report on ageism, speaks candidly about this phenomenon. The journey of eight years ago, and the way she navigated it, underscores that success is not accidental.
De la Fuente-Núñez describes moving from medical training into the scholarship program as a step beyond finance alone. The effort becomes a platform of support—one that is robust enough to withstand scrutiny from peers who question unconventional career paths. She notes that global health is often undervalued, yet it remains a crucial field, and persistence is essential. Her story illustrates how a scholarship can propel a career toward meaningful impact rather than mere prestige.
Today she champions breaking stereotypes and age-related barriers within international organizations, demonstrating the extraordinary reach of these scholarships and the potential they unlock for future leaders.