Key data
| Regulation | Resolución de 12 de marzo de 2026, de la Dirección General de Políticas contra la Despoblación — Agreement with the Universidad de Málaga for the Programa Campus Rural |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | March 28, 2026 |
| Entry into force | March 12, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Companies and entities in rural municipalities, university students, rural local councils |
| Category | Grants and Subsidies |
| Managing body | Dirección General de Políticas contra la Despoblación — Universidad de Málaga |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-7178 |
If your company is in a rural municipality and you struggle to attract young, qualified profiles, the Programa Campus Rural has just been formally activated. The Dirección General de Políticas contra la Despoblación has published the agreement signed with the Universidad de Málaga to facilitate university internships in rural entities and businesses, with entry into force on March 12, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-7178).
This is not a conventional grant call: it is a structured channel for local businesses to access university students in training, with the institutional backing of the UMA and the central Government.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution publishes the agreement between the Spanish Government —through the Dirección General de Políticas contra la Despoblación— and the Universidad de Málaga, within the framework of the Programa Campus Rural.
The programme has two declared and complementary objectives:
- To provide real professional experience to university students.
- To contribute to the economic and social revitalisation of territories at risk of depopulation.
The mechanism is straightforward: rural companies and entities temporarily host university students for academic internships. The Universidad de Málaga acts as the coordinating and managing entity of the programme under the terms of the agreement.
The agreement does not establish a fixed number of placements or economic amounts published in the official summary. The specific operational details —number of students, duration of internships, conditions— are governed by the terms agreed between the UMA and each participating entity.
Economic and operational impact
For a rural business, the main impact is not one of cost but of opportunity. Accessing qualified university profiles in rural areas is usually costly or simply unviable through conventional recruitment channels.
The programme generates three types of concrete operational value:
- Young talent acquisition: temporary incorporation of university students with up-to-date training, without the usual recruitment costs.
- Institutional synergies: the relationship with the Universidad de Málaga and with the administration can open doors to other programmes or resources.
- Visibility as a rural employer: participating in the programme positions the company as a local benchmark for future graduates.
The direct cost for the company is not specified in the published agreement. It will need to be defined in coordination with the UMA, where the conditions of each internship will be established.
Who does it affect?
- Private companies located in rural municipalities, regardless of sector.
- Third-sector entities (associations, foundations, cooperatives) based in rural settings.
- Rural local councils wishing to host students within their administrative structures.
- University students from the Universidad de Málaga seeking internships in a rural environment.
The geographical criterion is decisive: the company or entity must be located in a rural municipality, particularly in territories identified as being at risk of depopulation. No specific population threshold is established in the published text.
Practical example
A family winery in a rural municipality in the province of Málaga wants to digitalise its sales process and improve its online presence, but does not have the budget to hire a full-time digital marketing profile.
Through the Programa Campus Rural, it can contact the Universidad de Málaga to host a student studying a Degree in Marketing or Business Administration for academic internship purposes. The student carries out their internship work at the winery —with academic supervision from the UMA— and the company gains a qualified profile for the agreed period.
The result: the winery advances in its digitalisation, the student gains real professional experience in a rural setting, and the municipality temporarily retains young talent. All of this is institutionally coordinated without the company needing to manage the recruitment process from scratch.
What should businesses do now?
- Check whether your municipality is eligible: verify that your company is located in a municipality considered rural or at risk of depopulation. This is the main access requirement.
- Contact the Universidad de Málaga: the UMA is the managing entity of the programme. The first step is to reach out to its internship services or the area responsible for the Programa Campus Rural to find out the specific conditions.
- Define what profile you need: before making contact, identify which area of your business could benefit from an intern (administration, marketing, technology, agronomy, etc.) and which degree programmes are a good fit.
- Formalise the agreement with the UMA: the student's incorporation is carried out under the terms of the agreement. The university will manage the academic and administrative side of the process.
- Plan the onboarding: prepare a minimum plan of tasks and objectives for the student. A well-structured internship maximises value for both parties and makes it more likely that the student will want to stay or recommend the company.
Frequently asked questions
Which companies can participate in the Programa Campus Rural of the Universidad de Málaga?
Companies and entities located in rural municipalities can participate. The programme is specifically designed for territories at risk of depopulation. No minimum company size or specific sector is specified in the agreement published on March 28, 2026.
How much does it cost a company to host a Campus Rural intern?
The agreement does not establish a direct cost for participating companies. Coordination is carried out with the Universidad de Málaga under the terms of the agreement. For specific economic conditions of each internship, it is necessary to contact the UMA directly.
How can a rural company sign up for the Programa Campus Rural 2026?
Interested organisations must coordinate directly with the Universidad de Málaga, which is the managing entity of the programme under the agreement signed with the Dirección General de Políticas contra la Despoblación (BOE-A-2026-7178).
When did the Campus Rural agreement with the Universidad de Málaga come into force?
The agreement came into force on March 12, 2026, the date of the resolution of the Dirección General de Políticas contra la Despoblación. It was published in the BOE on March 28, 2026.
What benefits does a rural company gain from hosting university interns?
Participating rural companies can temporarily incorporate qualified university students, representing an opportunity to attract young talent that is difficult to reach through other means. In addition, the programme generates synergies with public administrations and universities that can facilitate access to other resources or programmes.
Official source
View the full regulation at the official sourceDisclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7178