Public universities in Spain occupy a large share of the national budget. Almost 80% of the funding for public universities is borne by the taxpayers, with student fees accounting for most of the remainder of this funding. Universities in Spain do not have final oversight over their funding; this is done by the government which receives, administers, and distributes all sources of revenue.
Financing projects The UC3M uses the
crowdfunding system to finance its projects. The process usually involves
four main steps: Firstly a scientist, student or an alumnus will develop an idea about research, innovation, and/or the diffusion of knowledge. Secondly, they spread this idea via Gotero.org, which is a website where donors can search for and endorse projects listed on the webpage. Thirdly, an interested donor will begin financing a project. Finally, the project reaches sufficient levels of funding, publicity, and related improvements to become reality. There are several different
types of crowdfunding. Rewards-based crowdfunding is when a sponsor funds a project for an incentive or reward in return, generally products or services that result from the project. Equity crowdfunding results in a sponsor receiving some form of equity in return for their investment. Debt-based funding involves a sponsor lending money to the project, with the promise of their investment being returned plus interest. Donation-based crowdfunding involves a donor investing out of altruistic interest, without any interest in financial or material rewards in return. Crowdfunding has provided opportunities to many people for developing campus projects. At UC3M, Isabel García Gutiérrez, who is the vice-rector of the entrepreneurship and science park, said that the university turned to this system because of its innovative potential. The prior experience of the
Polytechnic University of Catalonia's use of the crowdfunding system was also a helpful example to model from.
Financing cultural, sports, and volunteer activities The UC3M as with all other public universities received government funding, so students' tuition fees are a small percentage of the actual education costs. However, extra-curricular activities such as cultural, sports and volunteerism activities are not included in the enrollment fees and require additional fees for participation.
UC3M Foundation The UC3M Foundation is a private nonprofit organization. Created in 1990, its objectives are the promotion and financing of social, cultural, and scientific activities.
Objectives of the UC3M Foundation: College extension: This includes courses for seniors (cultural programs and classroom continuing education) and seminars on exchanges and financial markets for academic credit. The You click course is directed towards young people who want to enter the labor market as professionals with improved knowledge about social media, networking, communication and digital characters.
Language Center: Focus on development in different languages like English, French, German, Chinese, Italian and others; presenting opportunities for students to be more motivated in learning languages; using new technologies and assistance with preparation for the different languages exams.
Guidance and employment (SOPP): Large-platform focus on giving facilities to students and companies to take advantage in the future contracting of students in order to gain experience for the labour market.
Dormitories and accommodation: Providing facilities for accommodation to students and university faculty. Consists of three large facilities, two in Getafe (Gregorio Peces-Barba and Fernando de los Ríos dormitories) and one in Leganés (Fernando Abril Matorell). All of these facilities are in close proximity to their respective campuses. An increasing number of both foreign students and students from other parts of Spain is rising demand in the residences.
Publications and reports: Study and analyze the impacts in today's world of the different degrees offered by the university.
Social commitment: Primarily intended to financially assist students with merit-based needs, disabilities, and lower-income students. This also includes the importance of donations of surplus equipment to various NGOs, recycling, and positive synergies with related organizations. == References ==