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The La Caixa Foundation is launching a fellowship program for young researchers of any nationality to pursue a PhD in health and life sciences, technology, physics, engineering, or mathematics in Spain or Portugal. Fellowships are available at accredited institutions with Severo Ochoa or María de Maeztu excellence distinctions, Carlos III Health Institute centers, or units recognized for excellence by Portugal’s Foundation for Science and Technology. Apply now!
Opportunity Details
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, 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.
Those receiving an Incoming Doctoral INPhINIT fellowship must carry out their doctorate at one of the Spanish research centres that have obtained a Severo Ochoa or María de Maeztu accreditation of excellence from the Ministry of Science and Innovation, a Carlos III Health Research Institute or a Portuguese R&D centre classified as "excellent" by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Logically, these are centres and units that stand out for their impact and scientific leadership at an international level and that actively collaborate with their social and business environment.
This includes the following research centres and centres of excellence:
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.
The selection process is made up of three consecutive phases:
All applications are reviewed to check the accomplishment of the eligibility criteria published in the rules for participation.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Shortlisted candidates are invited to a personal interview before a multidisciplinary committee, which evaluates them according to the criteria listed below:
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.
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.
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.
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.
With the aim of creating synergies and informing as many people as possible about the doctoral INPhINIT fellowships call for applications, we'd be grateful if you could help us disseminate the communication materials among the students.
If you have any doubts about the call, please consult the list of frequently asked questions.