La Caixa Foundation Postdoctoral Junior Leader Fellowship 2026 | Applications Now Open

If you are an outstanding researcher looking to advance your career in the STEM fields and carry out high-impact research in Spain or Portugal, the la Caixa Foundation Postdoctoral Junior Leader Fellowship 2026 is now open for applications. This prestigious program recruits talented postdoctoral researchers of any nationality to conduct research at accredited centers of excellence. Beyond generous funding, the fellowship offers multidisciplinary training, leadership development, and mobility opportunities, shaping fellows into future leaders in academia, science, and innovation. Here's everything you need to know about this exciting opportunity

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Spain and Portugal

• Host Institutions: Accredited Severo Ochoa & María de Maeztu Research Centres, Carlos III Health Research Institutes (Spain), and R&D Units rated "Excellent" by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal)

• Level: Postdoctoral

• Target Group: Researchers of any nationality with PhD awarded between 2018–2023 (2–7 years before deadline)

• Fields of Focus: STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, including Bio & Health Sciences)

• Award Value & Coverage: Up to €320,100 for 3 years

• Duration: Maximum of 3 years

• Application Deadline: 25 September 2025, 2 pm CEST (Spain)

• Start Date: Between 2 May – 31 December 2026

• Eligible To: International postdoctoral researchers meeting PhD timing and mobility rules

📚 Fellowship Overview

The Junior Leader – Incoming Programme funds 20 fellowships for international researchers to pursue independent projects in leading Spanish and Portuguese institutions.

Key features include:

• Full-time postdoctoral research at accredited excellence centers.

• Mandatory international or intersectoral secondment (up to 6 months) for research enrichment.

• Career Development Plan (CDP) tailored to each fellow.

• Structured training programme in leadership, innovation, communication, and cross-disciplinary skills (delivered online and in-person).

• Strong focus on preparing fellows to lead research groups and foster collaborations with academia, industry, and society.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

The fellowship provides generous financial and career support:

• Annual Labour Costs: Up to €64,000, including salary & social security (minimum gross annual salary €47,000).

• Research Project Costs: €38,500 per year (equipment, consumables, travel, conferences, IP/patents, personnel, overheads, secondment costs).

• Family Allowance: €1,200 per year per dependent child.

• Mobility Allowance: €5,400 at the start for moving and housing costs.

• Training & Mentoring: Fully covered leadership and transferable skills programme.

• Secondments: Mandatory international or intersectoral mobility (up to 6 months) to broaden experience.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

1. Nationality: Open to researchers of all nationalities.

2. PhD Requirement: Obtained between 25 September 2018 – 25 September 2023. Extensions allowed for maternity/paternity, illness, compulsory service, or justified research interruptions.

3. Mobility Rule:

   • For Spain: Cannot have resided or worked/studied in Spain for >12 months in the 3 years before the deadline.

   • For Portugal: Same rule applies for residency/activity in Portugal.

   • Longer allowance applies for those with documented research interruptions (up to 36 months in 5 years).

4. Host Institutions: Must be accredited centers of excellence at the start of the fellowship.

5. Full Application: Complete documentation and references must be provided in English.

✍🏻Application Procedure

1. Online Application: Submit via the la Caixa Foundation’s application platform

2. Required Documents:

   • Completed application form (in English).

   • Personal Statement & Project Proposal (research career summary, project outline, timeline, contingency plan).

   • Doctoral diploma or certified proof of PhD defence date.

   • Reference Letters: At least 2 confidential letters submitted directly via the platform.

   • Declaration of Interest from a preferred host institution (non-binding).

   • Ethics Table outlining ethical aspects of the project.

   • Supporting documents for career breaks or mobility rule exceptions (if applicable).

3. Selection Process:

   • Eligibility Check → Remote Evaluation by expert reviewers → Interviews (24–26 February 2026).

   • Final results published on 10 March 2026.

4. Start of Fellowship: Fellows must begin between 2 May – 31 December 2026.

📂 Resources

For detailed information about the application process, download the call for application PDF document here.

📆 Timeline

• Deadline for Applications: 25 September 2025

• Pre-selection Results: 12 January 2026

• Interviews: 24–26 February 2026

• Final Results: 10 March 2026

• Start Date: 2 May – 31 December 2026

🔗 Apply Now

🔗 Official Link

(FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the fellowship?

Any researcher of any nationality who earned their PhD 2–7 years before the deadline (2018–2023) and meets the mobility rule.

2. Can I apply if I already live in Spain or Portugal?

Yes, but you must not have lived or worked/studied in the host country for more than 12 months in the past 3 years (extensions apply for career breaks).

3. Is the fellowship renewable beyond 3 years?

No, the maximum duration is 36 months.

4. Do I need to confirm a host institution before applying?

You must provide a Declaration of Interest from a host institution, but it is provisional and not binding.

5. What language should the application be in?

All application materials, including reference letters, must be submitted in English.

6. Is the secondment mandatory?

Yes, fellows must complete an international or intersectoral secondment (up to 6 months).

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