The La Caixa Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships are a prestigious programme by the “la Caixa” Foundation, designed to support early-career researchers in establishing independent research projects. The 2026 call offers 20 fellowships for researchers of any nationality to conduct research in Spain or Portugal.
Now, let’s apply for the La Caixa Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 in Spain. Follow the step-by-step guide of Scholarships Edge to learn about benefits, eligibility, required documents and how to apply. 👇
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Postdoctoral Junior Leader Fellowships Details
| Host Country: | Spain or Portugal |
| Host Organization: | La Caixa Foundation |
| Eligible Fields: | STEM disciplines (life sciences, experimental sciences, physics, chemistry, engineering, technology and mathematics). |
| Eligible Candidates: | Postdoctoral researchers at accredited Spanish or Portuguese centers |
| Eligible Countries: | All Countries |
| Fellowship Duration: | 3 Years |
| Total Fellowship: | 20 |
| Deadline: | 25 September 2025 |
Fellowship Categories
- Incoming Fellowship: For researchers currently based outside Spain or Portugal.
- Retaining Fellowship: For researchers currently residing in Spain or Portugal.
Benefits of the La Caixa Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Funding: Up to €320,100, covering salary, research costs, family allowance, and mobility expenses.
- Training: Interdisciplinary training sessions and an international or intersectoral internship of up to 6 months.
- Networking: Access to the ”la Caixa” Foundation Fellows Association for professional development and dissemination activities.
- Duration: 3 years
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Eligibility Criteria for La Caixa Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships
To qualify, applicants must:
- Hold a PhD awarded between 2 and 7 years before the application deadline.
- For the Incoming Fellowship: Have not resided or carried out their main activity in Spain or Portugal for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.
- For the Retaining Fellowship: Have resided or carried out their main activity in Spain or Portugal for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.
Special deadlines apply for candidates with interrupted research careers or those who have undergone the process to obtain refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
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Required Documents for the La Caixa Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
Applicants must submit:
- Curriculum Vitae detailing academic and research experience
- Research Proposal outlining the planned project
- Reference Letters from academic or professional mentors
- Proof of PhD Award
- Proof of Residence documents, if applicable
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How to Apply for the La Caixa Foundation Fellowship
- Prepare Documents: Gather all required documents in the specified formats.
- Access Application Portal: Visit the official application portal
- Create an Account: Register or log in to the portal.
- Complete Application: Fill in personal details, upload documents, and submit the application.
- Deadline: Ensure submission by September 25, 2025, at 2:00 PM (Peninsular Spain time).
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Application Timeline of La Caixa Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships
- September 25, 2025 – Application deadline (all materials must be submitted).
- January 12, 2026 – Pre-selection results announced.
- February 24–26, 2026 – Selection interviews.
- March 10, 2026 – Final results published.
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