”la Caixa” Foundation grants 30 fellowships for researchers of any nationality who wish to pursue a doctorate in a STEM discipline at research centres of excellence in Spain or Portugal

Last date to apply: 28.01.2026
Number of Positions: 30

Key points

• 30 fellowships to pursue PhD studies in research centres accredited with the Spanish Seal of Excellence Severo Ochoa, María de Maeztu or Health Institute Carlos III and Portuguese units accredited as “excellent” according to the evaluation of the Fundação de Ciência e Tecnologia.
• STEM disciplines (technology, engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, health and life sciences).
• Maximum duration: 4 years.
• Funding to cover labour costs, research costs and doctoral tuition fees.
• On-site training programme in multidisciplinary skills.

Requirements of the call

• Experience: candidates must not have carried out more than four years of research activity before the closing date of the call.
• Studies pursued: at the time of recruitment, candidates must have completed the studies that allow them to enrol in an official PhD programme in Spain/Portugal. The verification of the required level of studies will be carried out by the host university when the admission procedure begins.
  Candidates can not have started doctoral studies prior to the start of the fellowship.
• Mobility: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain/Portugal for more than twelve months in the three years immediately preceding the closing date of the call.
• Level of English: candidates must accredit the required level of English by submitting one of the certificates specified in the rules for participation.

  You can apply for a Doctoral INPhINIT fellowship through the application website of the ”la Caixa” Foundation Fellowships Programme.

  On the application website you can also request to receive a notification when the next call for applications opens by clicking on the “Receive a notification” button.

  For any suggestions or doubts, you can contact: fellowships@contact.fundaciolacaixa.org.

  Selection Process:

  The selection process is made up of three consecutive phases:

  • • Phase 1 – Eligibility

      All applications are reviewed to check the accomplishment of the eligibility criteria published in the rules for participation.

  • Phase 2 – Shortlisting

    Each eligible application is assessed remotely for at lest two evaluators with relevant experience in the same discipline. The criteria governing the evaluation in this phase are as follows:

    1. Academic record and curriculum vitae (50 %): the candidate’s qualifications will be evaluated as well as the academic and/or professional curriculum in relation to the career stage and the opportunities they may have had.
    2. Motivation and statement of purpose (30 %): the excellence of the ideas introduced in the statement of purpose will be assessed, considering their originality, innovative approach and their potential impact as well as the suitability of the host institution chosen and the studies or research to pursue.
    3. Reference letters (20 %): the reference letters received will be assessed, considering both the specificity of their content regarding the candidates as well as the profile of the referees.

  • Phase 3 – Selection interviews

    Shortlisted candidates are invited to a personal interview before a multidisciplinary committee, which evaluates them according to the criteria listed below:

    1. Candidate’s potential (40 %): the candidate’s potential will be assessed considering their soft skills, such as clarity, consistent discourse and articulation of ideas, ability to express complex and independent reasoning, originality, entrepreneurship, leadership and teamwork.
    2. Motivation and statement of purpose (30 %): the excellence of the ideas introduced in the statement of purpose will be assessed, considering their originality, innovative approach and their potential impact as well as the suitability of the host institution chosen and the studies or research to pursue.
    3. Academic and professional background (30 %): academic and professional background of the candidate in relation to the career stage and the opportunities they may have had.
       

       Join

       Each year, the Fellowship Programme benefits from the collaboration of a large number of experts from different disciplines who are involved in evaluating applications to ensure rigour and transparency in the selection process.

       If you’re interested in forming part of our database and would like to be involved in evaluating future fellowship calls, please contact us by sending an email to fellowships.evaluators@fundaciolacaixa.org along with your CV in PDF format or a link to the website where this can be found.