La Caixa Foundation Fellowships 2026 in Spain for International Applicants

If you are a researcher dreaming of advancing your career in world-class European institutions, this is your moment! The “la Caixa” Foundation has officially opened applications for the Postdoctoral Junior Leader Incoming Fellowships 2026 in Spain, a golden opportunity for international scholars in STEM fields. With only 20 prestigious fellowships available, this highly competitive program is designed for exceptional early-career researchers ready to carry out impactful projects at leading centres of excellence in Spain or Portugal.

La Caixa Foundation Fellowships Details

• Number of Awards: 20
• Eligibility: Researchers of any nationality
• Fields: STEM disciplines (life sciences, experimental sciences, physics, chemistry, engineering, technology, mathematics)
• Duration: Up to 3 years
• Funding: Maximum €320,100 per fellow
• Extras: A multidisciplinary training program to boost leadership and transferable skills
• Host Institutions: Spanish centres accredited by Severo Ochoa, María de Maeztu, or Carlos III Health Institute; or Portuguese R&D units accredited “excellent” by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

Eligibility Criteria to Get Selected for this La Caixa Foundation Fellowship

To be eligible for the Postdoctoral Junior Leader Fellowships 2026, applicants must hold a PhD degree awarded between two and seven years prior to the closing date of the call, with special extensions available for those who have experienced career interruptions or obtained refugee status.

Candidates are also required to meet strict mobility conditions: those applying for placements in Spain must not have resided or carried out their main professional or academic activity in the country for more than twelve months in the three years before the application deadline. The same rule applies for candidates applying to Portuguese centres. Finally, only complete applications that fully comply with all official requirements will be considered for admission.

New Application Dates for La Caixa Fellowship

The application window for the Postdoctoral Junior Leader Fellowships 2026 will officially close on 25 September 2025 at 2:00 PM (Peninsular Spain time). Shortlisted candidates will be notified of the pre-selection results and interview invitations on 12 January 2026, followed by the selection interviews scheduled between 24 and 26 February 2026. The final list of successful fellows will be published on 10 March 2026, marking the start of an exciting journey for the chosen researchers.

Why Apply?

This fellowship isn’t just funding—it’s a career transformation program. Beyond the generous financial support, fellows gain access to some of the most prestigious research environments in Europe, working alongside renowned scientists and building networks that shape international careers.

If you are an ambitious postdoc aiming to push the boundaries of science, this is one of the most prestigious routes into European academia.

Apply: https://lacaixafoundation.org/en/postdoctoral-junior-leader-fellowships-incoming-call.