The Research State Agency of Spain has launched the ATRAE 2026 call, aimed at encouraging the incorporation of established research talent with internationally recognised prestige into the Spanish System of Science, Technology and Innovation (SECTI).
The call has a budget of €40 million financed through the State General Budget and is addressed to public research organisations, universities and other public centres or entities with accredited R&D&i activity.
Applications may be submitted from 23 April to 4 June 2026, until 14:00 (CET).
Each funded action will include the hiring of the principal investigator (PI), the development of an independent R&D&i project and a commitment to create a permanent position before the end of the project’s implementation period.
The maximum amount per action may reach up to €1 million, including direct and indirect costs, and up to €1.2 million for proposals led by researchers affiliated with research organisations in the United States.
Since 2023, thanks to the ATRAE programme, nearly one hundred researchers who were working at leading international centres will carry out cutting-edge projects across a range of strategic scientific areas in Spain.
Related events
On 21 April, at 13:30, a hybrid webinar titled “Choose Europe, Choose Spain” will take place at the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities together with the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and the Research State Agency of Spain. The initiative aims to highlight Spain’s potential as a destination for research talent. Key European funding opportunities to be presented include the Ramón y Cajal and ATRAE programmes. The event will be held in English and can be attended in person or online, subject to prior registration.
In addition, on 22 April at 12:00, an online webinar will be held with relevant information about the 2026 call, intended to present the main features of these grants.
Links of interest
