Fellowships for the Training of Pre-doctoral Researchers. FPI-ICIQ Call 2026

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.

The PhD students granted will have the opportunity to develop their professional careers in the fields of academia and industry. This objective is achieved by:

• The performance of an individual research project under the direction of an internationally renowned Group Leader, in a creative and stimulating scientific environment.
• A complementary training programme in both technical and soft skills. The educational framework is designed to ensure a successful career: scientific seminars, hands‑on training in the use of state‑of‑the‑art scientific instrumentation, IP management, entrepreneurship, research integrity, knowledge and technology transfer, grant applications, project management, communication skills and career development. ICIQ provides a personalized annual training program for PhD students called SHARP (Severo Ochoa PhD Training Program), which occurs over two weeks each academic year, and focuses on their specific PhD year.
• Opportunities for short stays in distinguished international research institutions.

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.

The process of evaluation and selection guarantees the principles of competition, publicity and transparency.

Available positions

IT is labeled as “Annex 1: Available positions” and lists the following supervisors and projects.

Supervisor: Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren Pablos

Project (PID): SuperelectrophilicGoldCarbenes: 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

Preparation and Application Requirements

1) Required documentation

• Full Curriculum Vitae (PDF) including academic background, work or research experience, publications, conferences, grants, awards, previous participation in ICIQ programmes and other relevant merits.
• Personal statement describing academic background, research experience and career goals (maximum two DIN A4 pages, PDF). Candidates must explain how they align with ICIQ and the PhD training programme, and state the research group they wish to join.
• Official transcripts of BSc and MSc studies (PDF), with certified translation into English if necessary. Completion of the Master's degree at the time of enrolment is required.
• Contact details for letters of recommendation from two university professors, industry researchers, or other relevant individuals.
• Evidence of English proficiency (certificate or interview), e.g. B2, First Certificate, IELTS 6 or equivalent (not mandatory but desirable). Applicants from the Anglosphere are exempt.

Application Process

• All applications must be submitted online via the ICIQ’s Career Portal.
• Applicants submit one first choice project and may indicate a second option. Candidates may waive the second option if desired.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

• Master’s or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines, meeting Spanish PhD admission requirements by the start of the fellowship (between Jan 1 and Jul 1, 2027).
• Open to graduate students of any nationality.
• Eligibility requirements are reviewed by ICIQ’s HR Unit before submission.
• Eligibility meets the evaluation criteria described below.

Evaluation Criteria

• Criteria 1 (up to 50 points): Academic and scientific‑technical career path of the candidate.
• a) Scientific‑technical contributions (up to 45 points).
• b) Mobility and internationalisation (up to 5 points).
• Criteria 2 (up to 50 points): Adequacy of the candidate to the research activities to be carried out.
• Assessment considers the added value to the candidate’s research career and the contribution to the institution and host research group.

Evaluation and Selection Process

• Eligibility checks; non‑eligible applications are rejected.
• Selection based on evaluation criteria.
• Short‑listed candidates may be invited for a personal interview.
• Final decision notified to all applicants; candidates may appeal within 10 days.
• Successful candidates must accept or decline the offer within five business days.

ICIQ follows a gender equality opportunity policy and a non‑discrimination policy based on age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, language and disability. ICIQ also promotes a work‑life balance with flexible working hours.

Fellowship Conditions

• PhD fellowship holder considered pre‑doctoral contract under Spanish Law 14/2011.
• Regulated by the 2025 call of “Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento” and the “Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica, Técnica y de Innovación 2024‑2027.”
• Includes salary, enrolment fees for a PhD program (up to 4 years) and fully funded short stays abroad.
• Renewal annually for up to 4 years; subject to satisfactory performance. Prior pre‑doctoral time deducted from the 48‑month total.
• Gross annual salary: €25,456.10 (subject to statutory adjustments). Minimum 75 % of comparable categories.
• Full social security coverage, Spanish public health care and pension/unemployment benefits.
• Option for a postdoctoral orientation phase after PhD defense (up to 12 months). Total PhD + postdoc not exceeding 48 months.
• Temporary interruption allowed under relevant law provisions without affecting total time.
• Contract effective upon student joining ICIQ.
• Full‑time commitment to ICIQ; no other comparable fellowship or regular income allowed.

Scientific Reporting

Pre‑doctoral researchers must report activities to the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, using official templates. Two reports: intermediate at month 20 and a final covering the entire duration.