The Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación has resolved the program of R&D grants worth 17.43 million euros aimed at hiring 129 doctoral researchers to promote their professional careers and strengthen the R&D groups of 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 stabilizing scientific employment for the public universities receiving the grants and incorporates new requirements aimed at enhancing the mobility and internationalization of Andalusian scientists, along with administrative simplification of 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 other centers and institutes dependent on the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) have also received incentives, receiving 2.43 million euros (14%) to hire 18 profiles. Thus, the Doñana Biological Station has been allocated 1.35 million euros to hire ten professionals, the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia will receive 270,304 euros for two researchers, and the Institute of Chemical Research has also received the same amount for two individuals. Furthermore, 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, within the scope of the Andalusian Government, specifically in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, the Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA) is the recipient of a grant of 135,152 euros.
In the field of public foundations that involve public universities, the Foundation for Biomedical Research of Eastern Andalusia Alejandro Otero (FIBAO), which includes the University of Granada, assumes the largest workforce, with three people and an injection of 405,456 euros; the Foundation for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (FIBICO), linked to the University of Córdoba, 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 Málaga, has also received the same resources for one staff member. Lastly, Loyola University Andalusia is the beneficiary of 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 highest funds concentrated in the areas of natural resources, energy, and the environment (RNM) and production and construction technologies (TEP), with 4.46 million for 33 grants in the former and 2.43 million and 18 grants in the latter. The Ministry of University has allocated 1.89 million euros for the fields of exact and experimental sciences (FQM), agri-food and nutrition (AGR), biology and biotechnology (BIO), and health sciences and techniques (CTS), with 14 trajectories contracted in each of these areas. The field of information and communication technologies (TIC) will receive 1.08 million euros, allowing for the hiring of eight researchers.
Additionally, the program includes the recruitment 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).
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 terms of the call stipulate that the selected individuals must hold a doctoral degree and must have completed a period of stay or work attachment of at least one year in universities and research centers in other countries. This measure aims to have scientists with international experience in order to position Andalusian R&D at the forefront of knowledge and also facilitate the return of Andalusian talent working outside the community.
The applications have been evaluated by the Andalusian Agency for Scientific and University Quality (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.
Stabilization commitment
Following the guidelines set by the regulations governing these postdoctoral grants, the call includes for the first time the requirement for stabilizing scientific employment for the public universities receiving this funding. To achieve this, the text includes the commitment to create a position with the same profile as the granted aid. The Ministry of University aims to facilitate the access of this personnel to the research career and improve the conditions of their activity.
Similarly, researchers hired through this program are now allowed, as a novelty, to engage in teaching activities for a maximum of one hundred hours per year. This combination of roles directly impacts the quality of university education by promoting continuous updating of knowledge in all fields of expertise and also enables the enhancement of researchers’ professional profiles. Additionally, this call significantly reduces administrative burden by simplifying and streamlining procedures, especially regarding the justification of expenses through simplified modules or costs.
Support for the entire research career
As part of the support for the Andalusian knowledge system, the Andalusian Government pays special attention to accompanying and supporting research talent from their early training as technical support staff for R&D&I and their predoctoral education to their subsequent professional performance, through various incentive programs for postdoctoral hiring and through the Emergia program for more established and prestigious professionals. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the excellence of the research career and attract profiles capable of making valuable contributions to the Andalusian knowledge system, as well as promote the progress of science in the community.