Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)
Ramón y Cajal 2026
Round opens 10 Nov 2026, closes 10 Dec 2026 14:00 CET
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The Ramón y Cajal fellowship offers a 5-year tenure-track contract plus €200,000-€350,000 in research funds for postdoctoral researchers with strong publication and international experience to establish independent groups at Spanish R&D centres. AEI's flagship programme targets early-career scientists returning to or joining Spanish institutions after working abroad. The call opens annually in November.
Details
| Funder | Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) |
| Budget | 5-year tenure-track contract + research funds |
| Deadline | 10 December 2026 |
| Duration | 5 years |
| Consortium | No — individual tenure-track fellowship at a Spanish R&D centre |
| Application | Single-stage |
| Frequency | Annual (opens each November) |
| Next round | 2027-11 |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
| Eligible countries | ES |
Eligibility & scope
Ramón y Cajal is Spain's flagship 5-year tenure-track fellowship for postdoctoral researchers with an outstanding trajectory; host must be a Spanish R&D centre.
Who Should Apply
- •Postdoctoral researchers with outstanding publication records and international research experience
- •Scientists seeking to return to or join a Spanish R&D centre (university, public research institute, or centre of excellence)
- •Applicants aiming to transition from postdoctoral roles into tenure-track independence
- •Researchers from all fields eligible; strongest track records across multiple first-author publications and international collaborations
Key Dates
- •Application window: 10 November, 10 December 2026 14:00 CET
- •Single-stage evaluation
- •5-year tenure-track contract plus research period
Tips for Applicants
- ✓AEI emphasizes international visibility and independence from your PhD/postdoc supervisor, frame your research trajectory as distinct and ambitious.
- ✓The host institution's research environment and infrastructure matter; include a letter from the host research centre outlining mentoring and lab support.
- ✓Excellence and publication impact drive selection; prioritize quality over volume in your CV, and highlight first-author contributions and international collaborations prominently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Ramón y Cajal fellowship pay?
The fellowship includes a 5-year tenure-track contract plus €200,000-€350,000 in research funds.
Who can apply for Ramón y Cajal?
Postdoctoral researchers with a strong international research record, applying to work at a Spanish R&D centre.
Is Ramón y Cajal open to foreign researchers?
Yes, the programme is open to researchers of any nationality provided they secure a position at a Spanish institution and the host centre is an eligible R&D entity.
When is the Ramón y Cajal deadline?
The 2026 round closes 10 December 2026 at 14:00 CET; the call opens annually in November.
Is Ramón y Cajal a tenure-track position?
Yes, it is a 5-year tenure-track contract, designed to transition researchers into independent leadership roles at Spanish institutions.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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