Within the framework of the 2026 Research Incentives, the IRTA Scientific Direction is launching three new mobility grant calls aimed at different groups within the Institute, with the goal of promoting hands-on learning, knowledge exchange, and the professional development of research and technical staff.
The mobility grant call for IRTA research staff is aimed at professionals holding a permanent RDT position, a Ramón y Cajal contract, or an IRTA Consolida position. These grants seek to facilitate short research stays at centers outside Catalonia, with the aim of updating knowledge, fostering new scientific collaborations, and strengthening career development.
The stays may last between one and three months and cover travel and living expenses during the stay. The application deadline is 30 June 2026, and all stays must be completed by 31 December 2026.
IRTA also offers mobility grants aimed at early-stage researchers with an IRTA contract or other doctoral funding schemes that do not include a specific mobility budget. This line is intended to facilitate research stays at centers outside Catalonia, contributing to the enrichment of doctoral projects and to meeting the requirements for the international or European doctoral distinction.
The stays may last between three and four months, depending on the scientific justification, and are designed to strengthen the training of the Institute’s young researchers. The application deadline is also 30 June 2026, and all stays must be completed by 31 December 2026.
For the second consecutive year, the Research Incentive for technical staff providing direct support to research is being rolled out, aiming to further strengthen technical skills and promote knowledge transfer between teams.
As the main novelty of this second call, beneficiaries will be able to carry out their training stays not only at IRTA facilities but also at other research centers and universities across Catalonia. The stays are short, lasting up to a maximum of 10 days.
The application deadline for this call is 30 September 2026, and all stays must be completed by 31 December 2026.
With these calls, IRTA reaffirms its commitment to high-quality research based on continuous learning, collaboration, and the professional development of the people who make it possible.
