Programa Ikertalent

Ikertalent research and technology grants (Basque Government)

You get a paid contract to work on a research or technology project in the Basque agri-food, fishing or food sector. There are two tracks. As a predoctoral researcher (someone doing a doctorate) you earn a gross salary that rises from about 22,000 EUR in year one to 23,000, 25,000 and 31,500 EUR over four years, plus an extra 8,000 EUR in total (2,000 EUR/year) for courses, conferences, research stays and thesis costs. The four years can stretch to six if you have a disability. As a technologist you get a grant of 17,000 EUR gross per year for two years, plus 2,000 EUR total (1,000 EUR/year) for training. In 2024 there were 12 researcher places and 10 technologist places. The Basque Government funds it, and your host centre covers your social security.

Who can apply

• Researcher track: You meet the entry requirements for a doctorate, usually a bachelor plus master totalling at least 300 ECTS credits. You finished your degree within the last 5 academic years. This window is longer if you cared for a young child, or if you are a medical, pharmacy, biology, chemistry or psychology graduate with specialist training.
• Technologist track: You hold a higher-level vocational qualification (Técnico Superior) or meet the entry requirements for a master, finished within the last 5 academic years.
• Field: Your work must fit one of the listed projects in the agri-food, fishing or food sector, at centres such as AZTI, BC3, Basque Culinary Center, NEIKER, LEARTIKER or the University of the Basque Country.
• Where you live: You have been registered as a resident in the Basque Country (CAPV) since at least 1 January of the application year. An exception applies if you were living elsewhere to study.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply. Non-EU applicants need a residence permit.
• No double funding: You have not already received a similar grant from the same Basque department.

How to apply

You apply online through the euskadi.eus portal within one month of the call being published in the official Basque gazette (for the 2024 round, roughly 1 June to 1 July). You may pick up to three projects in a binding order of preference. Selection has two stages. First, your academic record and CV are scored. The top candidates per project are then invited to an interview to defend a short written proposal.

How realistic are your chances?

This is cut narrowly: you must live in the Basque Country, fit one specific agri-food or fishing project, and have finished a matching degree recently. So the pool for each of the roughly 22 places is small. If you clearly match a project and can back your CV with relevant courses, publications or Basque and English language levels (all of which score points), your prospects are solid. Strong grades and a well-argued proposal at the interview make the difference.