Talent Hub

Additional support for Short Stays FPI Ministry / Doctoral Training

1.- Organizing body 

Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades - Agencia Estatal de Investigación

2.- Purpose
The purpose of this grant is to fund short stays for research trainees at R&D centers different from their host institution, where the researcher can carry out activities beneficial for improving their training and advancing their thesis, as well as completing and strengthening the research skills acquired.

3.- Description
Additional support intended to cover expenses for:

  • Carrying out short stays at other R&D centers

  • Tuition fees for doctoral tutoring courses

4.- Beneficiary Personnel
Research trainees who are recipients of an active predoctoral FPI-Ministry grant (now called Doctoral Training, FD), during the predoctoral and postdoctoral phases of their grant.

5.- Characteristics of the Stays

  • The stays must ensure a level of mobility and/or internationalization not previously achieved through academic training or other factors such as residence or nationality, and in no case should they delay the completion of the doctoral studies.

  • They may take place in other public or private R&D centers, including companies, either in Spain or abroad, provided that the centers are located in a different locality from the researcher’s home institution.

  • The selection of the R&D center, the activities to be carried out, and the authorization for absence during the stay are the responsibility of the host institution.

  • During the POP phase, these stays may be used to complement predoctoral training and guide future postdoctoral research lines.

6.- Duration
Stays must have a minimum uninterrupted duration of one month, counted from the date of incorporation at the host center.

7.- Funding

  • A one-time grant of €6,860 until the 2023 call and €7,000 for subsequent calls. This amount is for each researcher contracted during the predoctoral phase and may be allocated to:

    • Carry out short stays at other R&D centers

    • Cover tuition fees for doctoral tutoring courses

  • As it is a one-time amount for the entire duration of the predoctoral grant, the portion corresponding to tuition fees for the four academic years is directly deducted from this additional grant. Therefore, the funding will be distributed as follows:

    • €1,650 for tuition fees

    • €5,210 or €5,350 depending on the year of the call, for short stay expenses

  • The grants for stays cover two concepts:
    a) An allowance for accommodation and subsistence expenses (see amounts by destination in the annex of the call)
    b) An allowance for travel expenses, including round-trip transport from the usual residence or workplace to the host center, visa, and insurance if applicable (see amounts by destination country in Article 8. Fundable Concepts).

  • The host institution must contract accident and medical insurance for stays in countries where the European Health Insurance Card is not valid. The cost may be charged to this grant. Other types of insurance are not considered eligible expenses.

  • These grants are exempt from personal income tax (IRPF) as they are not considered employment income.

8.- Application

  • Applications for a stay must be made through the researcher’s host department.

  • To request mobility funding, submit the UPC Application Form to the UCT. More information about the procedure and application forms can be found at:
    Portal Personal UPC > PI > Mobility Permits > Mobility Funded by Calls > FPI-Ministry Mobility Grant (short stays).

  • Applications will be reviewed by the responsible professor, considering the researcher’s available balance based on whether they have already undertaken other stays with the same grant.

  • If approved, signatures from the responsible professor, the department director, and the Vice-Rector for Research Staff are required if the stay exceeds 3 months.

9.- Justification
Upon return, the research trainee must provide the following justification:

Scientific-technical justification
Documents:

  • Copy of the stay certificate issued by the host center, stating the period, start and end dates, with the center’s signature and stamp (cannot be issued before the end date of the stay).

  • Up to two certificates may be requested if later applying for the International Mention on the doctoral degree.

  • Report of work conducted during the stay.

Submission: Talent Acquisition Unit (UCT) (by email to francina.sole@upc.edu)

Economic justification
Documents:

  • Original certificate of completion from the host center

  • Original receipts for round-trip travel expenses

Submission: Researcher’s host department

All documents must be issued in Spanish, dated, signed (with signatories identified), and stamped by the relevant unit/center.
The department, together with the Economic Management and Information Systems Unit (UGESI) of the Personnel Service, is responsible for reporting to the Ministry according to the criteria established for each call.
Check the eligible expenses for each concept in your call and the instructions for economic justification on the Ministry’s website. Contact the UCT for any questions.

10.- Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses include:

  • Accommodation and subsistence according to daily rates in the call, justified in the Stay Certificate

  • Travel expenses subject to limits in Royal Decree 462/2002, May 24, Group 2

  • Travel is generally by public transport, economy class

  • Private vehicle use is allowed only if the cheapest option and must be justified according to Order EHA/3770/2005

  • Medical and accident insurance abroad as indicated in the call

  • Transport to/from airports, stations, up to a maximum of 4 trips

Non-eligible expenses include:

  • Accommodation outside the predoctoral contract period or outside the stay period in the certificate

  • Per diem expenses

  • Insurance not indicated in the call

  • Travel not related to the main stay trip

  • Business class travel

  • Excess baggage or luggage wrapping

  • Parking

11.- Payment

  1. Predoctoral researcher:

  • Before the stay, the host department will transfer the estimated amount based on the application.

  1. Managing units:

  • UPC Economics Service will transfer the granted funds from the Ministry to each host department, which will manage them during the grant duration.

  • Departments may advance part of the funds to the researcher before the stay, with the remainder paid upon return after verification.

12.- Incompatibilities

  • Activities funded by this grant cannot be financed by other public or private grants or income.

  • Beneficiary institutions and researchers must notify the Ministry of other grants, subsidies, or income affecting the funded activities, which may reduce the grant amount.

13.- AEI Control Actions
Research trainees must include completed stays in the predoctoral grant follow-up reports, detailing the host center, group, duration, and activities carried out.