Santander opens applications for the second 2026 edition of the Explorer programme

Applications are now open for the second 2026 edition of Explorer, a free programme funded by Santander X, with the support of UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto. The initiative aims to encourage young people to present and develop business ideas that contribute to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN.

To take part, young people must submit an idea or project with entrepreneurial potential; it is not necessary to have a legally incorporated company associated with the project submitted. Over the course of 12 weeks, participants will have access to digital content and challenges through which they will be able to develop their projects.

In addition, they can look forward to talks on entrepreneurship with start-up founders and internationally renowned figures, as well as an online workspace where social and collaborative learning are the main methodologies. At the end, projects that complete the activities and have undergone a minimum of 96 hours of training will receive a certificate of participation in the Explorer pre-incubation programme.

This second edition of 2026 kicks off in September and will take place 100 per cent online across thirteen countries – Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Spain, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. Explorer takes a practical approach based on social learning dynamics, designed to enable participants to become active agents of change by implementing economically sustainable projects across different industries, sectors and types of organisations.

Applications are open until 12 July and can be submitted via the Santander X platform.

About Santander Explorer

Explorer is an international Santander X programme that offers young people access to various university-led initiatives in a digital, open and collaborative environment; it has supported 10,000 young people over the course of its ten-year history. The University of Porto, through UPTEC, has been participating in Santander X Explorer since 2020.