# Contratos Río Hortega

**Funder:** Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
**Consortium:** No
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** ES
**Official call:** https://www.isciii.es/en/financiacion/aes/actuaciones-documentacion
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Post-residency research training contracts for clinician-researchers within the Spanish National Health System. Early-career scheme for health professionals seeking to develop research skills. Host institution must be in Spain.

## Summary

Contratos Río Hortega provides post-residency research training contracts for clinician-researchers in Spain's National Health System, part of the ISCIII early-career pathway. The scheme targets health professionals seeking to develop research skills while remaining embedded in clinical settings, open to those at the start of their independent research careers. Calls run annually under the AES-LEIS 2024-2027 strategic framework.

## Who should apply

- Health professionals (MDs, nurses, allied health) post-residency or early-career
- Researchers based at Spanish public hospitals or health research institutes
- Clinicians seeking to build independent research skills while maintaining clinical roles
- Projects bridging clinical practice and health research in Spain

## Key dates

- Annual competitive deadline (exact date varies; consult ISCIII announcements for current round)
- Part of the AES-LEIS 2024-2027 strategic plan

## Tips for applicants

- Río Hortega is a structured training pathway; frame your proposal around skills development and research independence, not only outputs.
- Host clinical institution support is essential, ensure your supervisor and department commit in writing to protected research time.
- Emphasise the clinical relevance of your research question; ISCIII panels value health-system anchoring.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Contratos Río Hortega scheme?

It is an ISCIII early-career research training contract for health professionals in Spain's National Health System to develop independent research skills.

### Who can apply for Contratos Río Hortega?

Health professionals (clinicians, nurses, allied health) post-residency, based at a Spanish public hospital or research institute.

### Is the Río Hortega deadline the same every year?

The call runs annually as part of the AES-LEIS 2024-2027 framework, but the exact deadline varies each year; check the ISCIII website for current round dates.

### Can I hold a Río Hortega contract while working clinically?

Yes; the scheme is designed for health professionals balancing research development with ongoing clinical roles in the Spanish National Health System.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/instituto-de-salud-carlos-iii-isciii-contratos-r-o-hortega-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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