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Fundación "la Caixa"·Spain

"la Caixa" Junior Leader Postdoctoral Fellowships

Fully FundedPostdoctoral36 monthsMultiple cycles · check program

The "la Caixa" Junior Leader Postdoctoral Fellowships offer 40 fully funded 3-year postdoctoral positions per year at Spanish or Portuguese research centres, exclusively in STEM fields (life sciences, experimental sciences, physics, chemistry, engineering, technology, mathematics). The fellowship provides up to EUR 320,100 total (~EUR 106,700/year gross) — one of the most generous postdoc packages in Europe. Two tracks: Incoming (20 awards, must NOT be in Spain 12+ months) and Retaining (20 awards, MUST be in Spain 12+ months). For PhD holders 2–7 years post-graduation. The 2026 cycle is CLOSED; next deadline: 25 September 2026 for 2027 start.

Popular Participating Universities

IE UniversityIE University
Universidad de Girona (UdG)Universidad de Girona

Quick info

Application status

Multiple cycles · check program

DAAD deadlines vary per program. Check the official site for the current intake window.

Spain
Postdoctoral
36 months
Open to: Any nationality (Indonesia ✓)
Apply on official site

Opens the provider's official website

Info sourced from official providers. Always verify deadlines, requirements, and eligibility directly before applying.

What you get

  • Total maximum EUR 320,100 for 3 years (~EUR 106,700/year gross)
  • Competitive salary
  • Research support
  • Multidisciplinary training programme
  • 3-year contract at Spanish or Portuguese research centre
  • Membership in "la Caixa" Junior Leader Fellows network
Monthly: Maximum EUR 320,100 total (3 years) / Approx. EUR 106,700/year gross / Research support included

Requirements

First degree: Required
Professional experience: Required

Minimum 7 year(s) required

Country restriction: Any nationality (Indonesia ✓)

Detailed requirements

  • - Any nationality (Indonesia ✓)
  • - PhD obtained 2 to 7 years before the application deadline
  • - Incoming: NOT resided in Spain more than 12 months in the last 3 years
  • - Retaining: MUST have resided in Spain more than 12 months in the last 3 years
  • - Open to STEM fields only (life sciences, physics, chemistry, engineering, technology, mathematics)
  • - Multidisciplinary training programme participation required

Who can apply

Postdoctoral researchers (PhD obtained 2–7 years ago) of any nationality (Indonesia ✓) in STEM fields. Two tracks: Incoming (20 awards, must NOT be in Spain 12+ months in last 3 years) and Retaining (20 awards, MUST be in Spain 12+ months). One of the most generous postdoc fellowships in Europe. The 2026 cycle closed on 25 September 2025 — NEXT DEADLINE: 25 September 2026 for 2027 start. Plan ahead for 2027 application.

Application window

Multiple cycles · check program

Dates are based on data sourced from official providers (2025-2026 cycle). Deadlines may shift between intake years. Always verify on the official website before applying.

Important dates

Call opens: June 2026 (next cycle)
Deadline: 25 September 2026 (for 2027 start)
Results: typically December–January
Fellowship start: typically April–September 2027
Duration: 3 years

How to apply

  1. 1Step 1: Choose track — Incoming (must not be in Spain 12+ months) or Retaining (must be in Spain 12+ months)
  2. 2Step 2: Identify a host research centre and supervisor with an open Junior Leader project
  3. 3Step 3: Develop a research proposal aligned with the host lab's interests
  4. 4Step 4: Submit application via fellowships.lacaixafoundation.org (CV, proposal, references, publications)
  5. 5Step 5: External peer review
  6. 6Step 6: Shortlisted candidates interviewed
  7. 7Step 7: Final decision typically December–January
  8. 8Step 8: Begin fellowship typically April–September following year
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Provider

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Fundación "la Caixa"

Spain

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