This programme aims to promote high quality, innovative research in Spain and to support the best scientific talents who are offered an attractive and competitive environment in which to carry out excellent research.

The Junior Leader postdoctoral fellowship programme has two different frames:

• Postdoctoral Junior Leader – Incoming call

  20 postdoctoral fellowships of 3 years for researchers of any nationality who are offered an employment contract to carry out a research project at Spanish centres accredited with the Severo Ochoa, María de Maeztu or Carlos III Health Institute seals of excellence.Candidates must have resided in Spain for 12 months or less in the last three years. MORE INFORMATION

• Postdoctoral Junior Leader – Retaining call

  20 postdoctoral fellowships of 3 years for researchers of all nationalities to carry out their research at any university or research centre in Spain. For Spanish institutions, candidates must have resided in Spain for more than 12 months in the last three years. MORE INFORMATION

Key dates

End: 23 September 2026, at 2 pm Peninsular Spain

Pre-selection results and call for interviews: 12 January 2027

Selection interviews: 16 and 17 February 2027

Publication of results: 10 March 2027

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Postdoctoral Junior Leader fellowships - "la Caixa" Foundation