The Ministry of University, Research, and Innovation has resolved the R&D grant program worth 17.43 million euros aimed at hiring 129 doctoral researchers to enhance their professional careers and strengthen R&D groups in the entities where they will be incorporated. The grants have a duration of three years and have been awarded to eight public universities in Andalusia, 12 public R&D organizations, foundations, and institutes, and one private academic institution. The selected candidates have a deadline to join their destinations within two months from the day following the publication of the resolution.
This incentive program includes, for the first time, a commitment to stabilize scientific employment for the public universities receiving the grants, as well as new requirements to enhance the mobility and internationalization of Andalusian scientists, in addition to streamlining administrative procedures.
According to the distribution of funds, eight public universities in Andalusia receive the largest amount of resources, totaling 14.05 million euros. This amount represents 80.6% of the total and enables the incorporation of 104 researchers.
In addition to academic institutions, seven centers and institutes dependent on the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) have also received incentives, with a total of 2.43 million euros (14%) to hire 18 profiles. The Doñana Biological Station has a grant of 1.35 million euros to hire ten professionals, the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia will have 270,304 euros for two researchers, and the Institute of Chemical Research has also received the same amount for two individuals. The Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, the Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences, the Institute of Microelectronics of Seville, and the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville have been granted a subsidy of 135,152 euros to incorporate one researcher each.
On another note, in the field of the Andalusian Government, specifically in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IFAPA) is the recipient of a grant of 135,152 euros.
In the area of public foundations involving public universities, the Foundation for Biomedical Research of Eastern Andalusia Alejandro Otero (FIBAO), integrated with the University of Granada, assumes the most staff, with three individuals and a funding injection of 405,456 euros; the Foundation for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (FIBICO), linked to the University of Cordoba, will have one researcher and a grant of 135,152 euros; and the Andalusian Public Foundation for Research in Biomedicine and Health (FIMABIS), with the University of Malaga, has also obtained the same resources for one staff member. Finally, the University Loyola Andalucía benefits from an incentive of 135,152 euros.
Nine major branches of knowledge
The 129 contracts and the total budget are distributed among the nine major branches of knowledge, with the majority of funds allocated to the areas of natural resources, energy, and the environment (RNM) and technologies of production and construction (TEP), with 4.46 million for 33 grants in the former and 2.43 million for 18 grants in the latter. The Ministry of University has allocated 1.89 million euros for the fields of exact and experimental sciences (FQM), agro-industrial and food (AGR), biology and biotechnology (BIO), and health sciences and techniques (CTS), with a recruitment of 14 trajectories in each of these areas. The field of information and communication technologies (TIC) will have 1.08 million euros, allowing the hiring of eight researchers.
Additionally, the program includes the incorporation of seven doctoral researchers with a budget of 946,065 euros in both the social, economic, and legal sciences (SEJ) sphere and in the humanities and artistic creation (HUM) sphere.
The annual amount to finance salary payments and Social Security contributions is 45,050 euros for the first, second, and third years, totaling 135,152 euros for the entire period.
The call’s criteria stipulate that selected individuals must hold a doctoral degree and have completed a period of at least one year in universities and research centers in other countries. This measure aims to have scientists with international experience to position Andalusian R&D at the forefront of knowledge and facilitate the return of Andalusian talent working outside the community.
Applications have been evaluated by the Agency for Scientific and University Quality of Andalusia (ACCUA). This call is co-financed with the European Social Fund Plus, within the FSE+ Program of Andalusia 2021-2027, which prioritizes the hiring, training, and mobility of research personnel, technologists, technical staff, and other professionals in R&D+I in universities, research centers, and innovation organizations.
Commitment to stabilization
Following the guidelines set by the regulations governing these postdoctoral grants, the call includes, for the first time, the requirement to stabilize scientific employment for the public universities receiving this funding. The text outlines the commitment to create a position with the same profile as the grant awarded. This measure aims to facilitate access to the research career for this personnel and improve their working conditions.
Moreover, researchers hired through this program are allowed, as a novelty, to carry out teaching activities for a maximum of one hundred hours per year. This combination of roles directly impacts the quality of university education, promoting continuous updating of knowledge in all areas and enhancing the professional profile of researchers. Additionally, this call significantly reduces administrative burden by simplifying and streamlining procedures, especially regarding expense justification through simplified modules or costs.
Support for the entire research career
As part of the support for the Andalusian knowledge system, the Andalusian Government shows a particular interest in accompanying and supporting research talent from their early days as technical support staff in R&D+I and during their predoctoral training to their subsequent professional performance, through various incentive programs for postdoctoral hiring and the Emergia program for more established and prestigious professionals. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the excellence of the research career, attract profiles capable of making valuable contributions to the Andalusian knowledge system, and promote the progress of science in the community.