Fulbright Scholar Award

All Disciplines at Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Spanish National Research Council)

Spain

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25394-ES
Activity Type
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
Teaching/Research
A combination of teaching and research as described above. Refer to the award description for any specifications on percentages of time that should be devoted to teaching vs research.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required
Career Profile
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.
Higher Education Administrators and Executives
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of administrators or executives with a focus on the international dimensions of their campuses.
Mid-Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.
Professionals
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.

Number of recipients

Up To
10
Award Start Period
August 2025 - May 2026
Award Length
3 months - 4 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Projects are sought in all disciplines
Scholars selected for this award can choose to
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
Conduct a professional and/or artistic project
Participate in a two-week group seminar
Award Activity

CSIC is a research-performing organization, therefore the main activity will be research tasks. A small percentage of the candidate's working time (up to 20%) can be dedicated to some teaching activities, such as guest lectures, workshops, and seminars.

Locations Detail

CSIC has around 14,000 employees, out of which approximately 4,000 are researchers. CSIC has 126 research institutes of which 52 are joint research units in collaboration with universities. Research institutes are specialized in a broad variety of fields and topics, and each autonomous region in Spain hosts at least one research institute. Therefore, the exact location of the award will vary, depending on the topic of interest of the candidate and its suitability with CSIC's existing research groups.

In this link, candidates will be able to search for the research institutes that match their particular fields of interest, as well as their locations:  https://www.csic.es/en/investigation/institutes-centres-units

Award Length and Period

Awards will have a minimum duration of 3 months, and a maximum length of 4 months. The specific duration of each award should be agreed upon between the candidate and the host research group, according to the necessities of both parties.

The award allows grant start dates from August 2025 to May 2026.

Special Features

As previously mentioned, CSIC focuses on a diverse range of research fields. Its research is carried out in three core areas of knowledge: Life, Matter and Society, which in turn address several interdisciplinary research programs and strategic lines. These areas include human and social sciences, food science and technology, biology, biomedicine, physics, chemistry and materials, natural resources or agricultural sciences, among others. Groups compete for national and international funding and have a successful record in the awarding of EU funding (currently implemented mainly via the Horizon Europe programs).  Research groups can also receive contracts to perform technical and scientific activities, or can carry out collaborative research projects. Groups are encouraged to take into consideration the dissemination and communication of their results, as well as their protection and exploitation. For further information about research groups and topics, please visit https://www.csic.es/en/investigation/research-groups

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award.
Dual citizens of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is required.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

Since CSIC has a multidisciplinary research approach, candidates are required to contact and establish links with the preferred host research groups. Prior to the application for the award, a letter of invitation must be drafted and signed by the Director of the research institute to which the host group is affiliated.  

The U.S.-Spain Fulbright Commission provides wide support to selected candidates regarding administrative issues such as the visa process, and ample pre-departure and arrival information. However, it cannot assist in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions.

 

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Language Requirement

N/A

Additional Qualification Information

N/A

Award Allowances

€3,200 per month. This amount covers the monthly stipend, housing, and living allowances.

The allowances will be paid by the Spanish Commission as a lump sum once the Grant is formalized (in Euros or in Dollars, at a conversion rate to be determined on April 15, 2025. View conversion rates).

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Travel and relocation allowance for scholars: €1,300. Authorized dependents' travel allowance: €750 per person, for up to two dependents.

The allowances will be paid by the Spanish Commission as a lump sum once the Grant is formalized (in Euros or in Dollars, at a conversion rate to be determined on April 15, 2025. View conversion rates).

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

Scholars accompanied by dependents for at least 80 percent of the grant period will receive a monthly dependent allowance of €150 for one dependent or €300 for two or more dependents. 

Estimated Cost of Living

Information on the cost of living in Spain

Special Award Benefits

CSIC manages (either directly or through entities with their own legal status in which it partici­pates) scientific infrastructures of a singular and unique nature in Spain, which form part of the Map of Unique Scientific and Technical In­frastructures (ICTS).

The main infrastructures include:

  • The CAHA (Calar Alto Astronomical Obser­vatory)
  • The Polar Bases and Oceanographic Vessels (in­cluding the Fleet managed by IEO-CSIC)
  • The RBD (Doñana Biological Reserve-Station)
  • CSIC also participates in a number of European Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

Spain

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

To learn more about Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards in Spain for 2024-25, please view our archived webinar and slides to hear directly from the Fulbright Commission, IIE staff, and U.S. Scholar alums regarding award details, the scholar experience, and application guidance.

Summary

Contingent upon the availability of funds, up to 11 All Discipline awards for Postdoctoral Researchers and a variety of co-sponsored awards for Senior Research, Teaching, or Teaching/Research are available. The co-sponsored awards have unique scopes and features, and detailed information can be found in each individual award description.

The U.S.-Spain Fulbright Commission provides extensive support to selected candidates regarding administrative issues, such as the visa and documentation processes, and ample pre-departure and arrival information. However, assistance in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions cannot be provided.

Please note that candidates with dual U.S./Spanish citizenship or candidates who are residing in Spain at the time of application or anytime thereafter are not eligible for the Fulbright Program in Spain.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in Spain?

Although Spain may be known for its nice weather and beautiful beaches, there are many other reasons why Spain has long been held as one of the most desirable destinations for Fulbright grantees. Spain’s higher education and research institutions, technological advancement, cultural opportunities, and modern infrastructure add to the country’s appeal as one of the most popular tourist destinations. Additionally, Spain’s relatively low cost of living makes it very affordable when compared to most other countries in the EU.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Spain has the highest life expectancy out of all European Union member states, at just above 80 years, and it is the 8th safest country in which to live out of all OECD member states. In fact, 82% of Spanish citizens report that they feel safe walking alone at night (World Gallup Poll).

Spain is comprised of excellent public transportation networks throughout the country. With its metropolitan public transport systems, including metro networks, buses, and trains, it is very easy to get around cities, smaller towns, or even across the country.

If you plan to come to Spain with your family, you will love the child-friendly environment. Although the Commission cannot provide assistance with school placements, rest assured that there are many options for high-quality and bilingual education. In Spain, there are public schools, private schools (religious and international), and semi-private (concertados).

For more detailed information about Spain, please see the OECD's Spain profile.

General Information about Spanish Universities and Research in Spain

There are 76 universities in Spain, 20 of which are private. Spain's universities are increasingly focused on internationalization. By offering degree programs taught partially or entirely in English, they are attracting students from a wide variety of countries, providing viewpoints in studies and discussions that are often unique and enriching for U.S. Scholars. Depending on the award, Scholars will be afforded the opportunity to teach both undergraduate and/or graduate students and/or carry out research, and they are often invited to work with faculty on curriculum development. Research groups are usually multicultural, and English is the language predominantly used in lab settings.

The academic year in Spain broadly runs from September to June, with breaks during the Winter and Spring holidays (approximately December 22-January 6 and coinciding with the weeks surrounding and including Easter). Research activity continues in July, whereas August is a very quiet month, and many academic and research institutions are closed for all or part of the month.

Additionally, there are various national and public research institutions that, together with universities, form the basic core of the Spanish public system of scientific research and technological development in Spain. These include:

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

The Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT)

The Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)

The Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC)

The National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA).

Researchers are usually fluent in English, although there may be wide variation in students’ English proficiency. For day-to-day life, a working knowledge of Spanish is useful, especially in smaller cities and towns. Language proficiency should be commensurate with the project's scope. Please discuss this point with your host institution in advance.

The friendly and open nature of most Spaniards will help make it easy for you to engage in multidisciplinary research groups and collaborate with your host institution. Many former Fulbright Scholars to Spain maintain and nurture the mutual engagement and joint research they initiated with their Spanish hosts while they enjoyed their Fulbright grant.

Prospective applicants may contact the Spanish Fulbright Commission for further information at: informacion@fulbright.es or by visiting  www.fulbright.es 

Previous Fulbright Recipients

If you wish to hear from previous US Fulbright Scholars and Researchers about their experiences in Spain, check our Fulbright Spain- Alumni Voices reel here.

Enrichment activities: Depending on the grant dates, Scholars and Researchers are welcome to participate in enrichment activities. Research seminars are organized during the Fall and Spring semesters. For reference, please take a look at an overview of the 2023 Mediterranean Research Seminar organized in Alicante and watch the video testimonials from participants.