The Social Programme of 'la Caixa' maintains its commitment to research

15 million euros to recruit the most talented young scientists to the  “Severo Ochoa” Centres of Excellence

Since 2008 IRB Barcelona has participated in the fellowship programme run by this banking organisation

The 18 research centres holding the “Severo Ochoa” Distinction of Excellence—among them IRB Barcelona— launch the third ‘la Caixa’ - Severo Ochoa International PhD Fellowship Programme. This initiative, funded by the Social Programme of “la Caixa”, will allow the recruitment of 52 students to develop doctoral theses over the next four years.

After an international selection process, the fellowships will be awarded to students with the greatest potential and outstanding academic record. The programme is widely recognised by the educational community and trains internationally competitive students, according to the Secretary of State for Investigation, Development and Innovation, Carmen Vela, during the diploma presentation ceremony for grant holders held in July.

The “Severo Ochoa” Distinction, awarded by the Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation of the Ministry of the Economy and Competitiveness, seeks to promote research of excellence conducted in Spain. The centres are chosen by independent scientific committees comprising renowned international scientists. The award brings with it funding of 1 million euros over four years.

Between 2013 and 2018, the Social Programme of “la Caixa” will have devoted more than 15 million euros to this project, an amount that highlights the strategic importance given by this organisation to investment in first-class research.

“la Caixa” and IRB Barcelona PhD Fellowships

Launched in 2008, the “la Caixa-IRB Barcelona International PhD Fellowship Programme in Biomedicine ” —since 2011 called the ‘la Caixa’ - Severo Ochoa International PhD Fellowship Programme —has allowed the recruitment of 59 talented students to IRB Barcelona. The percentage of international students now stands at 61%, with a balance between males and females. Twenty students have completed their doctoral training through this programme.

At the beginning of 2015, IRB Barcelona will launch various fellowship calls within its PhD Programme, among these those funded by “la Caixa” for 2015.

To date, 122 young scientists are working towards their PhDs in the 23 labs at IRB Barcelona.

More information about the IRB Barcelona PhD Programme