“la Caixa” call for applications: Junior Leader Postdoctoral fellowships-Retaining 2026
”la Caixa” Foundation grants 20 postdoctoral fellowships for researchers of any nationality to carry out a research project in a STEM discipline (life sciences, experimental sciences, physics, chemistry, engineering, technology and mathematics) at any university or research centre in Spain or Portugal.
Requirements of the call:
Researchers of any nationality are eligible. To be eligible for admission, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Experience: have been awarded a PhD between two and seven years prior to the closing date of the call. The date of obtaining the PhD will be understood as the date the doctoral thesis is defended. Special deadlines apply for candidates with interrupted research careers.Candidates must have carried out research stays at a centre or university outside Spain (or outside Portugal for those joining a Portuguese centre), during their doctoral or postdoctoral studies, for a total of at least 6 months before the closing date of the call.
- Mobility:
- For candidates interested in Spanish centres or universities: candidates must have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the three years immediately preceding the closing date of the call.
- For candidates interested in Portuguese centres or universities: candidates must have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Portugal for more than 12 months in the three years immediately preceding the closing date of the call.
- Special deadlines will apply for candidates with interrupted research careers and for those who’ve gone through the process to obtain refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
- Complete application: only candidates whose application meets all the requirements of the call may be admitted.
Funding details:
- Maximum duration: 3 years.
- Maximum amount: €320,100.
Read more here.
Application deadline, 25th of September of 2025 at 2PM (CEST)
