Public University of Navarra - Research Training Grants

Research Training Grants at the Public University of Navarra

You will be offered a paid four-year contract to complete your doctoral thesis (PhD) at the Public University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. The salary starts at 1,357.66 EUR gross per month and is paid in 14 instalments per year (approximately 19,007 EUR gross per year). It increases over time: it remains unchanged in the second year, rises to approximately 1,455 EUR per month in the third year, and to approximately 1,818 EUR per month in the fourth year. In addition to the salary, the university covers your social security contributions, the enrolment fee for the PhD programme (323.35 EUR per year, for up to four enrolments) and a severance payment of 3,347.65 EUR at the end of the contract. The programme runs annually and is co-funded by Banco Santander. In the year 2026, there are 20 contracts, one of which is reserved for an applicant with a disability of 33% or more, who may be eligible for funding for a fifth year.

Who can apply

• Level: You are starting a PhD programme. Either you already hold a degree that qualifies you for admission to a PhD programme at UPNA, or you are about to complete a qualifying Master’s programme in 2025/26 and will have completed it by 31. July 2026.
• Where you study: You are writing your dissertation at the Public University of Navarra (or at Navarrabiomed) as part of a publicly funded research project that runs beyond 31 August 2026.
• Grades: Your average mark is at least 6.5 on a scale of 0 to 10.
• Field of study: Open to all departments within the University’s research institutes and its health research division.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.
• No prior funding: You have not received a similar doctoral scholarship in the last 12 months or longer.

How to apply

You should apply online via the Santander Open Academy platform between 20 May and 2 June 2026. A university research committee will assess your application on the basis of your weighted average mark, your own research achievements and your supervisor’s assessment. There will be no interview. The contract is scheduled to commence on 1 November 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

With 20 contracts and at least one place per research group, your chances are better than with a single high-profile award, and your grade point average carries the most weight in the assessment. The real hurdle is of a practical nature: you need a supervisor and an ongoing, publicly funded research project at the university before you can apply. If you already have such a project lined up and can demonstrate a good grade point average, your prospects are good.