Each Ramón y Cajal grant will include, in addition to salary co-funding, funding for a 5-year research project, which will be subject to evaluation.

• Sufficient allocation to hire at least one predoctoral researcher for 4 years
• Not compatible with the PID* call until the fourth year of execution, since the Ramón y Cajal fellowship includes project funding
• Eligible costs: personnel, mobility, equipment, consumables, publications, conferences and indirect costs (25%)
• Allows starting a research line and creating your own group from day one

* PID: Main AEI Programme for R&I Projects.

An interview with the evaluation panels is addressed as an essential part of the assessment, aligning the process with best European practices (such as the ERC).

Evaluation criteria:

• Scientific and technical contributions of the candidate
• Quality and novelty of the research project proposal
• Expected scientific, economic and social impact of the results
• Degree of independence and leadership
• Feasibility of the research project proposal

For RYC grantees who submit an application to ERC calls (Starting, Consolidator or Advanced Grants) during the first three years:

• ERC funded: 30% increase in salary co-funding
• ERC with top rating without funding: eligibility for Europa Excelencia mode* A + 10% salary increase
• ERC second phase without top rating: eligibility for Europa Excelencia mode B + 10% salary increase
• If successive applications, increases can reach 20% and 30%

* Europa Excelencia: AEI Programme to support applications to ERC calls.

Provided the mid-term report evaluation is favourable:

• The incentive support for the host institution is maintained
• Project funding is maintained up to a maximum of five years from the start of the RYC grant
• The amount within the PI's employment concept not executed due to the creation of the permanent post may be transferred to the project execution funding

The creation of a permanent position in the grantee's research area is a mandatory requirement.

• Support for the host institution for the creation of a permanent position
• If the position is created before the grant ends, salary funds may be transferred to the research project

The modifications enable a simplification of the AEI grant landscape:

• The Research Consolidation call and the specific talent attraction grant disappear, integrated in the new RyC Programme
• The funds for Europa Excelencia grants are increased
• The R3 Researcher Certificate as an established researcher is automatically awarded to RyC grantees