The ”la Caixa” Foundation, which firmly believes that scientific progress, research, mobility and professional qualification are key to the development of society, is launching a doctoral fellowship programme for young researchers of any nationality at any university or research centre in Spain or Portugal. Furthermore, these fellowships are intended to provide researchers with additional training skills that will expand their possibilities for development in their professional careers, not only in the academia, but also in industry and entrepreneurship. The ”la Caixa” Foundation is offering 30 fellowships.
The call for applications covers all areas of knowledge and is aimed at all individuals who fulfil the requirements to be admitted into a doctoral programme, provided that they also fulfil the mobility requirements detailed in the call details, and that they have not previously enrolled in the doctoral studies applied for.
Fellows should start at the host institutions between September and November 2022. Nevertheless, in duly justified cases, the ”la Caixa” Foundation may allow this to be delayed until January 31 2023. The fellowships have a maximum duration of three years. Having said that, they are granted for one year and in all cases include the possibility of two renewals, provided that the follow-up reports requested on an annual basis are favourable. If the thesis defence takes place before the three years of the fellowship are up, the fellowship will end on the same day of the defence.
Who?
- Research experience: Candidates must be in the first four years of their research career and must not have previously obtained a PhD degree or be in a position to apply for one.
- Academic records: Applicants must hold a higher education degree that makes them eligible to enrol in a doctoral programme in Spain/Portugal when starting at their host institutions. The verification of the level of studies equivalent to those mentioned above will be carried out by the host university during the admission procedure.
- Mobility: Candidates must have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain/Portugal for more than twelve months in the three years immediately prior to the deadline for applications. In addition, candidates who are finally awarded a fellowship must carry out the PhD at a university that is different from where they took up their bachelor's studies.
- Level of English: Candidates must accredit an advanced level of English (B2 or higher).
The maximum total payment amount will be €122,592, as broken down below:
- Three annual payments of €34,800 each. Where applicable, the amounts corresponding to the Social Security contributions payable by the employer (in this case, the host institution), as well as any other compulsory fee, whether current or that may be provided for in a future legal framework, will be deducted from the yearly gross amount of €34,800 to be received by the fellow.
- €3,564 per year, as an additional amount for research costs such as conferences, courses, research stays, consumables, equipment, charges for the use of intellectual property, etc. This additional amount will be managed by the centre for the benefit of the fellow and must be justified separately.
- A prize of €7,500, which will be paid to the fellows who deposit the thesis within 6 months after.
The ”la Caixa” Foundation will sign an agreement with the host institution, which will receive the fellowship payment directly. This must be wholly allocated to cover the amounts arising from Social Security contributions and other required corporate expenses payable by the employer, where applicable, as well as the fellow’s gross stipend and the additional amount for research costs.
In addition to financial support, the fellowship includes a training programme on transversal skills, which has been specially designed by leading international institutions in the sector. This programme includes aspects such as technology transfer, entrepreneurship, commercialisation of innovation, intellectual property, leadership, creativity, communication skills, teamwork, personal development, planning, assertiveness and networking.
Three sessions will be held: at the start of the fellowship, during the second year, and during the third year. Each session will last between 3 and 5 days, and attendance is mandatory for all fellows. The ”la Caixa” Foundation will cover all costs for these sessions, as well as the fellows’ accommodation and travel expenses.
Deadline: 16 February 2022.