What is the FPU Programme?
The grants for the Training of University Academic Staff (FPU) aim to train doctoral researchers by funding predoctoral contracts, enabling recipients to carry out the research needed to submit a doctoral thesis while acquiring the university teaching competences required to join the higher education system.
Launched in the 1990s by the Ministry of Education, the FPU programme is managed from 2026 by the State Research Agency (AEI), under Royal Decree 265/2026 of 1 April. The integration aims to unify the management of doctoral training grants from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, simplify the procedure and align FPU programme management with the AEI's standard processes.
Timeline
The three key dates to mark in your calendar.
Application period
Submission period: from 20 October to 20 November 2026. The PhD student and research centre submit the application electronically.
Provisional resolution
Publication of the provisional resolution proposal (PRP). Hearing procedure and, if applicable, appeals.
Contract signing and start
Formalisation of the predoctoral contract at the R&D centre and start at the post.
How it works in 3 steps
The FPU is a collaboration between the PhD student and an R&D centre that employs you. Without a confirmed centre, there is no application to submit.
Find a research group
Use the search tool to find an R&D group you want to work with. Talk to them first. Without a confirmed centre, there is no application.
Register and complete your section
Register with the Unified Applicants Registry (RUS), complete the electronic application form and sign the documents generated by the system.
The centre submits the application
The legal representative of the centre completes their section, validates and submits the full application to the AEI electronically.
What has changed compared to previous years?
The 2026 FPU call features a new managing body, application procedure and evaluation criteria. These are the three structural changes to understand before starting.
Now managed by the AEI
For the first time, the FPU call is fully managed by the State Research Agency (RD 265/2026), following its standard procedures for award, justification and monitoring.
The centre submits the application
The PhD student completes their section of the application form, but the final application is signed and submitted by the centre where the thesis will be developed, which acts as the beneficiary entity.
New 75 + 25 criteria
The PhD student's academic track record will be assessed (75 points, with a threshold of 60), alongside the scientific and technical track record of the team where the grant will be developed (25 points).
Key features at a glance
A quick summary of the 2026 call's main features.
Managed by the AEI
The first FPU call fully managed by the State Research Agency, following its standard procedures.
CALLThe centre submits the application
The R&D centre, not the PhD student, is the beneficiary entity that signs and submits the full application.
CENTRENo enrolment required to apply
It is sufficient to be admitted to a doctoral programme, or to be in a position to be so when signing the contract.
PhD StudentLighter documentation
Academic documentation requirements are reduced. The University Academic Committee certificate and training project report evaluation are no longer required.
PhD Student75 + 25 assessment
75 points for academic track record (threshold 60) and 25 for the quality of the team and thesis supervisor.
AssessmentSelection by AEI thematic areas
Prioritised list of applications for each of the Agency's thematic areas.
AssessmentSimplified funding and categories
Contract €32,500/year + €10,000 stays and enrolment + €3,350 end-of-contract severance.
Funding+12 months POP included
Postdoctoral Orientation Period of up to 12 months, within the 4 years, once the doctorate has been obtained.
PhD StudentTeaching also at Master's level
The possibility of fulfilling teaching obligations at master's level is introduced, not only at undergraduate level.
PhD StudentSimplified reporting
Annual financial and scientific reports are eliminated, replaced by a mid-term (scientific) and final evaluation covering both.
CENTREFunding and eligible costs
The total individual grant amount in the 2026 call is €143,350, distributed across the following categories:
| Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Predoctoral contract | €32,500/year (≈€130,000 over 4 years) | Salary and employer's Social Security contribution. Minimum: 75% of the applicable collective agreement. |
| End-of-contract severance | €3,350 | Total amount upon contract completion. |
| Research stays and doctoral enrolment | €10,000 | Research stays at R&D centres and doctoral programme enrolment fees. Total amount for the 4 years. |
| Total | €143,350 | Total amount per awarded grant. |
Useful links
AEI website
Institutional portal with all calls and programmes of the State Research Agency.
Go to AEIAwarded grants search
Consult grants awarded by the AEI: filter by call, area, beneficiary entity, researcher and year.
Go to searchUnified Applicants Registry (RUS)
Prior registration of researchers and legal representatives to submit applications to the AEI.
More informationRoyal Decree 265/2026
Royal Decree amending the basic organisational structure of the Ministry, transferring FPU management to the AEI.
Official State Gazette