FPI-UPM 2026 Predoctoral Research Contracts
Financed doctoral contracts for research in engineering and related fields at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
Best for:Best for recent engineering graduates or master’s holders with strong academic records seeking to pursue a PhD in engineering disciplines with full funding and research support.
Overview
The FPI-UPM 2026 Call offers 15 predoctoral research contracts at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), linked to funded research projects under the Spanish State Plan for Scientific, Technical, and Innovation Research 2024-2027. These contracts provide full-time employment, tuition coverage for doctoral programs, research funding, and mobility grants for international stays. Applicants must be enrolled or admitted to a UPM doctoral program and align their research with one of the approved projects. The selection process emphasizes academic excellence, research fit, and international experience, with a minimum score threshold of 75 points for funding.
What you'll do
- Develop and execute a doctoral thesis aligned with a funded research project from the approved list.
- Conduct independent research under the supervision of a principal investigator from UPM.
- Publish research findings in academic journals or conferences as part of the doctoral program.
- Participate in international research collaborations and mobility programs if applicable.
- Attend doctoral program courses and seminars as required by UPM.
- Collaborate with research teams and contribute to project milestones and deliverables.
Requirements
Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field with at least 300 ECTS credits, or a Master’s degree that qualifies for doctoral studies in Spain.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: Spanish or English; proficiency in English is required for international collaboration or publications.
Instruction: Spanish (primary), English (for international projects or publications)
- Strong academic background in engineering or related disciplines.
- Ability to conduct independent research and write academic papers.
- Familiarity with research methodologies and project execution.
- Basic proficiency in English for international collaboration (if applicable).
- Must be enrolled or admitted to a UPM doctoral program for the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Cannot have previously held a predoctoral contract for more than 12 months under the Spanish State Plan.
- Cannot already hold a PhD degree from a Spanish or foreign university.
- Must not have initiated doctoral studies with prior predoctoral funding under the same plan.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 15 days hábiles after publication in Boletín Oficial de la Comunidad de Madrid (BOCM)
Applicants must submit an electronic form via the UPM portal (https://www.upm.es/S2i/SOLS/FPI-UPM-26) and attach required documents, including academic transcripts, CV, ID/passport, and proof of doctoral program admission. The application must specify the preferred research project from Annex I. After submission, the form must be signed and registered via UPM’s electronic seat or physical registration.
- Valid ID (DNI, NIE, or passport)
- Official academic transcripts (Bachelor’s/Master’s) with grades in Spanish/English (translated if necessary)
- CV using FECYT format (max 4 pages)
- Certification of average grade in Bachelor’s/Master’s (0-10 scale)
- Proof of admission to a UPM doctoral program (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
Contact
RRHH Investigación· Research Human Resources
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