Apply Now: Incoming Postdoctoral Junior Leader Fellowships 2026 (Spain)

Deadline: 23-Sep-2026

The ‘la Caixa’ Foundation Junior Leader Incoming Postdoctoral Fellowship is inviting researchers of any nationality to undertake independent STEM research projects at leading accredited institutions in Spain or Portugal. The programme supports outstanding early-career researchers with strong scientific potential, international experience, and the ability to develop independent research careers.

About the Junior Leader Incoming Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Junior Leader Incoming programme is designed to attract talented postdoctoral researchers from around the world to Spain and Portugal. It supports researchers in developing independent projects in STEM fields while gaining access to high-quality research environments, international networks, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development opportunities.

Supported disciplines include:

- Life sciences - Experimental sciences - Physics - Chemistry - Engineering - Technology - Mathematics Research may be carried out at eligible accredited institutions in Spain or Portugal. How Much Funding Is Available? The fellowship provides a maximum total allocation of €320,100 over three years.

Funding includes:

- Up to €64,000 per year for labour costs - A minimum annual gross salary of €47,000 - €38,500 per year for research project costs - A gross annual family allowance of €1,200 per dependent child - A one-time gross mobility allowance of €5,400 The funding is managed by the host institution, which establishes the employment relationship directly with the selected fellow. Additional Training Support Fellows also participate in a structured training programme valued at approximately €7,500.

The training covers:

- Scientific skills - Technical skills - Transferable skills - Professional development - Research leadership Associated training costs, including travel and accommodation where required, are covered by the Foundation. International and Intersectoral Mobility Selected fellows are required to undertake an international and/or intersectoral secondment of up to six months during the fellowship period. This component is intended to strengthen mobility, expand professional networks, and support collaboration beyond the host research institution. Who Can Apply? The fellowship is open to researchers of any nationality.

Applicants must generally:

- Have obtained their doctoral degree between two and seven years before the application deadline. - Demonstrate a strong scientific track record. - Show potential to develop an independent research career. - Propose a high-quality STEM research project. - Meet the mobility requirements for the selected host country. - Secure the required declaration of interest from an eligible host institution. Extensions to the PhD eligibility period may be available in certain circumstances. Eligible Host Institutions In Spain, fellows may conduct research at centres accredited with: - Severo Ochoa recognition - María de Maeztu recognition - Carlos III Health Institute accreditation In Portugal, eligible host institutions include R&D units rated as excellent by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Mobility Requirements Applicants must meet the programme’s international mobility rules. Depending on the selected host country, researchers generally must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Spain or Portugal for more than 12 months during the three years preceding the application deadline. Applicants should carefully review the mobility requirements for their chosen host institution and country. What Does the Fellowship Support? The programme supports independent research projects with the potential to advance scientific knowledge and strengthen the fellow’s research career. Priority is given to projects demonstrating: - Scientific excellence - Originality - Research independence - International mobility - Interdisciplinary potential - Intersectoral collaboration - Strong alignment with the host institution’s research environment Application Requirements Applications must be completed in English through the online application platform. Applicants are generally required to provide: - A detailed research proposal - Information demonstrating their scientific track record - A declaration of interest from the host institution - Required academic and professional information - Documentation supporting eligibility and mobility requirements Key Facts

- Programme: ‘la Caixa’ Junior Leader Incoming Postdoctoral Fellowship

- Number of fellowships: 20

- Maximum funding: €320,100

- Duration: Up to 3 years

- Research fields: STEM disciplines

- Eligible applicants: Researchers of any nationality

- Host countries: Spain and Portugal

- PhD requirement: Normally obtained 2–7 years before the deadline

- Minimum annual gross salary: €47,000

- Research project costs: €38,500 per year

- Mobility allowance: €5,400

- Family allowance: €1,200 per dependent child per year

- Training support: Approximately €7,500

- Secondment: Up to 6 months

- Application language: English

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Junior Leader Incoming Postdoctoral Fellowship? It is a fellowship programme that supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers in conducting independent STEM research projects at eligible institutions in Spain or Portugal. How much funding is available? Each fellowship can receive a maximum total allocation of €320,100 over three years. How many fellowships are available? Up to 20 postdoctoral fellowships are available. Who can apply? Researchers of any nationality who meet the programme’s PhD, mobility, scientific excellence, and host institution requirements may apply. What research fields are eligible? Eligible fields include life sciences, experimental sciences, physics, chemistry, engineering, technology, and mathematics. Can researchers choose Spain or Portugal as a host country? Yes. Applicants may undertake their research at eligible accredited institutions in either Spain or