INPhINIT FAQ 2027: Questions the Foundation Already Answered

Yes. Both Incoming and Retaining are open to researchers of any nationality, including Spanish, Portuguese, other EU and non-EU citizens. What decides your call is where you have lived in the last three years, not your passport.

Count the months you lived or had your main activity in your destination country in the three years before the deadline. Twelve months or less: Incoming. More than twelve: Retaining. Spain and Portugal are counted separately.

No. The official FAQ says there is no age limit, but you must be within the first four years (full-time equivalent) of your research career on the deadline and must not already hold a doctorate.

Yes. The FAQ says you can apply if you finish in June or July of the call year, as long as you can join the host between September and November. Upload your transcript as it stands.

No. If you are enrolled in a doctoral programme, or have started one before the fellowship begins, you are not eligible. A second doctorate is not allowed either.

No. Incoming covers technology, engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and life and health sciences only. Retaining covers all disciplines, but has its own residence rule.

No. You name your intended doctoral studies in the form, and the rules treat that choice as provisional. You must, however, be admitted to the doctoral programme before you can take up the fellowship.

No. You can apply to only one of the Foundation’s fellowship programmes in the same call.

Yes. The official FAQ says an expired certificate is accepted if it shows the required level. It must be one of the certificates listed in the rules (in 2026, for example, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 83 or Duolingo 105); one point below the minimum is not accepted.

No. Letters can only be requested and received through the online platform, in English, before the deadline. You need at least three and can attach up to five.

No. The FAQ says previous applications are not taken into account. You must, however, fill in the application again from scratch.

Not to apply. The rules say awardees should preferably hold a CaixaBank or BPI account for salary payments, when applicable.

The host receives €35,800 a year for your labour costs, including employer social security, and must offer at least €25,000 a year gross salary. There is also €3,500 a year for research costs, plus tuition fees, for up to four years.

No, unless the Foundation expressly authorises it. The fellowship is incompatible with other paid work, grants or financial aid.

No. Fellows start between September and November of the call year. A justified delay to 31 January of the following year is possible; after that the fellowship lapses.

An employment contract with the host under the rules for research personnel in training. In Portugal the same economic conditions apply under an employment or fellowship contract.

Yes. The official FAQ confirms co-direction is allowed.

Not announced as of 6 October 2026. The 2026 calls closed on 28 January 2026 (Incoming) and 18 February 2026 (Retaining). Use the “Receive a notification” button on the application site to be told when the next call opens.