Universities · Research and employment
Industrial Doctorates 2026: who applies and how to prepare a project in Spain
Spain’s AEI accepts applications until 26 October 2026 at 14:00 mainland Spanish time. The organisation submits the project and nominates the candidate; students do not apply independently for this funding.
- Source published
- Effective date or period
- Applications: 30 Sep–26 Oct 2026, 14:00 mainland Spain
- Article on this portal
Published call · Open when checked on 5 Oct 2026
Our interpretation
Why it matters
The scheme connects doctoral training with an organisation’s research problem. Universities and candidates need to coordinate the project, employment and thesis before submission.
Editorial recommendation
What to do
Agree responsibilities, check eligibility with your research support office and prepare electronic signing early. An educational or technological idea is not automatically an eligible research project.
Verified facts
Deadline and status
The resolution was signed on 22 September and its extract appeared in the Official Gazette on 24 September 2026. Applications run from 30 September to 26 October at 14:00 mainland Spanish time. This is a published competitive call, not a proposal or an automatic award.
Official Gazette · 24 September 2026AEI · application and templates
Verified facts
The organisation applies; the candidate and university collaborate
Four-year support links a doctoral thesis to industrial research or experimental development. Article 6 covers companies and, subject to specific conditions, private non-profit organisations and public administrations. Legal form, statutory purposes, employment capacity and exclusions must be checked in the full resolution. Being an education provider does not automatically establish eligibility.
The organisation’s legal representative signs the application electronically. University collaboration should establish the academic fit of the thesis and, where applicable, the agreement for the industrial doctorate designation. Funding does not replace doctoral admission.
Verified facts
Checks for prospective candidates
- The required admission or enrolment concerns the 2027–2028 academic year when the employment contract is formalised.
- Check Article 7: an existing doctorate, previous predoctoral funding, earlier employment relationships and control of the organisation can prevent participation.
- The FAQs specify no nationality restriction or limit on how long ago a bachelor’s or master’s degree was obtained. A candidate cannot appear in more than one application.
Editorial recommendation
A practical preparation checklist
These are editorial preparation recommendations. The call determines eligibility and funding conditions; ask the AEI about uncertain eligibility before committing resources.
- Define a research question and assessable outcomes; distinguish R&D from routine improvements.
- Assign organisational and university responsibilities, tasks, budget and timetable.
- Check RUS, SISEN and the signing certificate; use the current AEI templates.
- Review the research proposal and CVs, register the application and retain the receipt.
Primary source and reading standard
AEI · DIN2026 call and official documentsCheck the original document and its date before acting. The portal’s proposals are labelled as editorial recommendations and do not replace applicable rules.
Disclosure: Luis Manuel Tolmos has a professional connection with Brains International Schools, described in his profile. This analysis is independent.
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