Fellowships for PhD Researchers - FPI-ICIQ Call 2026

Program Overview

The FPI-ICIQ 2026 Call targets outstanding postgraduate students worldwide to support their participation in a training and research programme in chemistry, ultimately leading to a Doctoral Thesis. The Doctoral Thesis will be linked to a research project funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, la Agencia Estatal de Investigación, and the Fondo Social Europeo (FSE+) under the framework of the Call 2025 of Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento.

Programme Objectives

• Completion of an individual research project under the direction of an internationally renowned Group Leader, in a creative and stimulating scientific environment.
• Complementary training programme in technical and soft skills, including scientific seminars, hands‑on training with state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation, IP management, entrepreneurship, research integrity, knowledge and technology transfer, grant applications, project management, communication skills and career development. ICIQ provides a personalised annual training program called SHARP (Severo Ochoa PhD Training Program), which occurs over two weeks each academic year and focuses on the specific PhD year.
• Opportunities for short stays in distinguished international research institutions.

Target Candidates

The programme is addressed to highly qualified, motivated and talented graduate students with a strong interest in research in Chemistry or related fields. Candidates should have an excellent academic record, a deep commitment to scientific research and a solid working knowledge of English.

Application Process

The entire application process will be completed online. Applicants must apply via the ICIQ’s Career Portal. Applications sent by email or any other means will be ineligible. Candidates must apply to one project, with the possibility to include a Second Option, in the event that they are not selected for their first choice. In addition, candidates who only wish to apply for one position can waive the second option.

Required Documentation

1. Full Curriculum Vitae (PDF), including academic background, work or research experience, publications, conferences, grants and awards, previous participation in ICIQ programmes, and other relevant merits and references.
2. Personal statement (PDF, maximum two pages) describing academic background, research experience and career goals, including alignment with ICIQ and PhD training program, desired research group and reasons for project interest.
3. Official transcripts of BSc and MSc studies (PDF). A certified copy of the academic record must be submitted; translation in English required for non‑Catalan, Spanish or English degrees. Completion of Master’s degree needed for enrolment in the PhD programme.
4. Contact details for letters of recommendation from two University professors or industry researchers, or other relevant individuals.
5. English proficiency evidence (e.g., B2 certificate, First Certificate, IELTS 6). Not mandatory but desirable; candidates from Anglosphere exempt.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is open to graduate students from any nationality who fulfil the following:

• Holder of a master’s or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines, capable of admission to a Spanish PhD Programme by the time the fellowship starts (between 1 Jan and 1 July 2027).
• Other eligibility criteria confirmed via ICIQ’s HR Unit.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Academic and/or scientific‑technical career path of the candidate (up to 50 points). Sub‑criteria:
   • Scientific‑technical contributions (up to 45 points).
   • Mobility and internationalisation (up to 5 points).
2. Adequacy of the candidate to the research activities (up to 50 points).

Evaluation and Selection Process

1. Submitted applications checked for eligibility; those not fulfilling all criteria are rejected. No modifications allowed post‑deadline.
2. Selection based on evaluation criteria described above.
3. Short‑listed candidates contacted for personal interview.
4. All applicants notified of final decision; candidates may raise allegations within 10 days of publication. Successful candidates required to respond within five business days; otherwise offer considered declined.

Equality and Inclusion

ICIQ follows a gender equality opportunity policy and a non‑discrimination policy based on age, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language, and disability. ICIQ is committed to promoting work‑life balance and offers flexible working hours.

Fellowship Conditions

1. Awardees are research personnel in training, with pre‑doctoral contract governed by Spanish Law 14/2011.
2. Conditions regulated in 2025 call of “Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento” and Spanish Plan Estatal 2024‑2027.
3. Fellowship includes salary, PhD enrolment fees (up to four years), fully funded short stays abroad.
4. Contracts renewed annually up to four years; renewal subject to satisfactory performance.
5. Gross annual salary set at 25,456.10 euros (year), adjusted with statutory increases; minimum wage compliance.
6. Full social security coverage, access to public health care, pension and unemployment benefits.
7. Post‑doctoral orientation phase possible after PhD defense within fellowship period; combined duration not exceed 48 months.
8. Temporary interruption of fellowship allowed under statutory provisions; interruption time not counted.
9. Contract starts on awardee’s joining date.
10. PhD fellowship awardees work full‑time at ICIQ and may not receive any other fellowship of same purpose or regular income.
11. Requirement to report activities to Ministry and submit two reports: intermediate at month 20 and final covering entire tenure.

Calendar

• Call opening: July 20th 2026
• Call deadline: September 20th 2026
• Evaluation & selection process: September 21st to November 1st
• Notification to candidates: Mid November

Annex 1: Available Positions

• Supervisor: Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren Pablos
  Project (PID): Superelectrophilic Gold Carbenes: Synthesis and Synthetic Applications (CARBENGOLD)
  PID Project Reference: PID2025-167953NB-I00
  Number of positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-02 AE
• Supervisor: Prof. Antoni Llobet Dalmases
  Project (PID): Molecules and Hybrid Molecular Materials for Sustainable Electrocatalytic Energy Applications (Molenergy)
  PID Project Reference: PID2025-168560OB-I00
  Number of positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-03 ALL
• Supervisor: Prof. Emilio J. Palomares Gil / Dra. Eugenia Martínez Ferrero
  Project (PID): Self‑assembled molecules for efficient solar cells to power CO2 electro‑reduction catalysts (SELFCO2)
  PID Project Reference: PID2025-168671NB-I00
  Number of positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-04 EP/EMF
• Supervisor: Prof. Julio Lloret Fillol
  Project (PID): Renewable Electrosynthesis of Fine Intermediates and New Energy‑carriers: From Mechanisms to Solar Devices (REFINE)
  PID Project Reference: PID2025-168677OB-I00
  Number of positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-05 JLL
• Supervisor: Prof. Marcos García Suero
  Project (PID): Stereoselective late‑stage construction of chiral centers with a catalytic carbyne transfer platform (LATE‑CHIRAL)
  PID Project Reference: PID2025-168668NB-I00
  Number of positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-06 MG

For further information, visit the HR Excellence in Research page at HR Excellence in Research iciq.org.