Foundation for Applied Medical Research - FIMA Fellowships

FIMA Fellowships at CIMA Universidad de Navarra

You will be offered a paid post to undertake a PhD in the field of biomedical research at CIMA, the Centre for Applied Medical Research in Pamplona, Spain. The scholarship will fund you for up to 4 years whilst you work on your doctoral thesis in a laboratory under the supervision of a tutor. It begins as a training scholarship and later transitions into a research contract. The exact amount is specified in each annual call for applications; in a recent call, the funding amounted to approximately 1,260 EUR per month. The funds come from the Foundation for Applied Medical Research (FIMA), which owns CIMA and trains young researchers.

Who can apply

• Degree: You hold a university degree and would like to pursue a PhD.
• Where you study: You enrol at the University of Navarra (Pamplona or San Sebastián campus) and carry out research at CIMA.
• Field: Your research aligns with CIMA’s key areas of focus: cancer, rare diseases and advanced therapies such as cell, gene, immune and RNA therapies. Some roles require a specific background, such as biology, biochemistry or biotechnology, with a research master’s degree.
• Grades: You have a track record of outstanding academic achievement. Selection is based on academic excellence.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

How to apply

You apply by email with the application form, your academic transcript and your CV. The call is currently open, and the deadline is 28 June.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a narrowly defined, specialised scholarship. You will need a research profile that aligns with CIMA’s projects in the fields of cancer, rare diseases and advanced therapies, and often a specific university degree as well. As a result, the pool of applicants is small compared to open scholarships, so a well-suited graduate with good grades and laboratory experience stands a good chance of success. The positions are tied to specific projects, so apply early whilst there are still vacancies available.