The application period runs from April 23 to June 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (Spanish peninsular time)
Information in English ATRAE | Agencia Estatal de Investigación
| State Plan | |
|---|---|
| Programme | |
| Subprogram | |
| Announcement status |
Open
|
| Application deadlines |
-
|
| General description |
To facilitate the incorporation of consolidated research talent of recognised international prestige who have recently carried out a significant period of their professional activity abroad, thereby promoting progress towards a more competitive Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation System (SECTI) at both national and international levels. To foster the circulation of knowledge and excellent research staff by incorporating them on a stable basis into the SECTI, supporting their careers and stimulating the creation and consolidation of top-level research teams. Special recognition is given to the additional effort required of principal investigators who join beneficiary institutions and who come from research organisations located in the United States of America. |
| Specific goals and activities financed |
The following actions will be eligible for funding: those that facilitate the stable incorporation of established research talent into the Spanish System of Science, Technology and Innovation. An established researcher of recognized international prestige is understood to be a person who meets criteria such as being among the top 10% of researchers in their field of specialization worldwide, being the principal investigator of an active project funded by the European Research Council (ERC), holding the highest level of the academic/research career in their country of origin, or having led as principal investigator a significant number of research projects in competitive calls, whether national or international, and having made highly relevant and impactful contributions in their field of specialization throughout their career. The funded activities included in these actions, which are mandatory, are: a) The execution of an individual R&D&I project led by the principal investigator of the action. b) The hiring of the principal investigator of the action. Additionally, the following activity may also be funded, although it is not mandatory for the implementation of the actions: c) The adaptation of spaces, laboratory refurbishment, and similar measures necessary for the initiation or consolidation of the research line of the principal investigator. The funded actions may receive up to €1,000,000.00, including both direct and indirect costs. Indirect costs will be calculated as a fixed rate of 25% of the direct costs related to the execution of the project and the establishment and/or improvement of facilities. This amount may be increased up to €1,200,000.00 in the case that the principal investigators proposed by the beneficiary institutions have been affiliated with research organizations located in the United States of America for at least 5 years within the period between January 1, 2020 and the start date of the application. |
| Budget |
40.000.000,00 €
|
| Beneficiaries |
Public research organizations, public universities and their affiliated research institutes, private universities, public health agencies and institutions, accredited public health research institutes, and other public R&D&I centers.
|
| Instructor Entity |
Subdirectorate for Grant Award Procedures. Research State Agency of Spain.
|
| Scientific-technical monitoring body |
Subdirectorate for Horizontal Programmes and Internationalisation. Research State Agency of Spain.
|
| Type of financing |
Grant
|
| Rules of the call |
Competitive selection
|
| Contact information |
The State Research Agency has created a single point of contact to handle inquiries, issues, and suggestions from the public. From now on, to submit an inquiry or request, please use the following contact form: |