Por Redaccion 
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 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 includes new requirements aimed at enhancing the mobility and internationalization of Andalusian scientists, in addition to streamlining administrative procedures.
According to the allocation 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 allows for 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 been granted 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 each been awarded a grant of 135,152 euros to incorporate one researcher.
Additionally, 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) has received a grant of 135,152 euros.
In the field of public foundations involving public universities, the Foundation for Biomedical Research of Eastern Andalusia Alejandro Otero (FIBAO), which includes the University of Granada, takes on the most staff with three individuals 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 Malaga, has also received the same resources for one staff member. Lastly, the University Loyola Andalusia has been granted 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 fields of natural resources, energy, and the environment (RNM) and production and construction technologies (TEP), amounting to 4.46 million for 33 grants in the former and 2.43 million and 18 grants in the latter. The Ministry of University has designated 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 14 positions in each of these areas. The field of information and communication technologies (TIC) will receive 1.08 million euros, enabling the hiring of eight researchers.
Furthermore, 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, as well as 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 call’s guidelines stipulate that selected individuals must hold a doctoral degree and must 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 to facilitate the return of Andalusian talent working outside the community.
The applications have been evaluated by the Agency for Scientific and University Quality in Andalusia (ACCUA). This call is co-financed with the European Social Fund Plus, within the FSE+ Program for Andalusia 2021-2027, which prioritizes the hiring, training, and mobility of research personnel, technologists, technical staff, and other R&D+I professionals in universities, research centers, and innovation organizations.
Commitment to stabilization
Following the guidelines set by the regulations governing these postdoctoral grants, for the first time, the call includes 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 grant received. Through this measure, the Ministry of University aims to facilitate access to the research career for these individuals and improve their working conditions.
Similarly, researchers hired through this program are now allowed, as a novelty, to conduct teaching activities for a maximum of one hundred hours per year. This combination of roles directly impacts the quality of university teaching by promoting continuous knowledge updates in all areas of expertise and enables researchers to enhance their professional profiles. Additionally, this call significantly reduces administrative burden by streamlining and expediting procedures, especially regarding expense justification through simplified modules or cost certifications.
Support for the entire research career
As part of the support for the Andalusian knowledge system, the Andalusian Government places special emphasis on accompanying and supporting research talent from their early training as R&D+I technical support staff and predoctoral education to their subsequent professional performance through various incentives 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 and attract profiles capable of making valuable contributions to the Andalusian knowledge system, as well as promote the advancement of science in the community.