PhD Fellowships in Chemistry: Global Training

The Fellowship Conditions are regulated in the 2025 call of “Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento” and fellowships for predoctoral researchers associated with these projects, within the framework of the “Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica, Técnica y de Innovación 2024-2027”, Articles 3, 12 and 13.

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.

I. Available positions See Annex 1

II. 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.

After completing the online form, applicants must attach the following documents:

A full Curriculum Vitae (in PDF format) that should include the academic background, work or research experience, publications, conferences, grants and awards, previous participation in ICIQ programmes, and other relevant merits and references.

A personal statement that describes the applicant’s academic background, research experience and career goals (maximum two DIN A4 pages, in PDF format). The candidate must be able to communicate their interests and how these would align with ICIQ and the PhD training programme. Candidates should also mention the research group where they would like to carry out their PhD and the reasons why they are interested in a particular research project.

Official transcripts of BSc and MSc studies (PDF format) with a certified academic record. Candidates must have completed their master’s degree at the time of enrolment in order to be eligible for the PhD programme. For academic records not issued in Catalan, Spanish or English, a certified translation in English should be provided; otherwise, they will be ineligible.

Contact details for letters of recommendation of two University professors, Researchers in industry or other relevant individuals who can assess the candidate’s potential for research. ICIQ will contact the people listed as references only if a candidate is shortlisted. We suggest informing your references.

English proficiency level: Applicants must provide evidence of their proficiency in written and oral communication in the English language. Preferably, by the submission of a B2 certificate, First Certificate, IELTS 6 or equivalent. This certificate is not mandatory but desirable. Alternatively, late-stage candidates will be interviewed to assess their English level. Applicants from the Anglosphere (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) are exempt from this requirement.

Once the application has been successfully completed, an acknowledgement e‑mail will be automatically sent. Candidates must ensure that all information is included before the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

III. Eligibility criteria The programme is open to graduate students from any nationality who fulfil