Researchers Report 2013

Country Profile: Spain

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.

KEY DATA ................................................................................................................................................ 3

National R&D intensity target........................................................................................................................ 3
Key indicators measuring the countrys research performance ..................................................................... 3
Stock of researchers ....................................................................................................................................... 3

2.

NATIONAL STRATEGIES............................................................................................................................4

3.

WOMEN IN THE RESEARCH PROFESSION .................................................................................................5

Measures supporting women researchers in top-level positions ................................................................... 5
Measures to ensure a representative gender balance ................................................................................... 5
Maternity leave .............................................................................................................................................. 6

4.

OPEN, TRANSPARENT AND MERIT-BASED RECRUITMENT .......................................................................6

Recruitment system ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Open recruitment in institutions .................................................................................................................... 6
EURAXESS Services Network .......................................................................................................................... 6

5.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING ....................................................................................................................7

Measures to attract and train people to become researchers ....................................................................... 7
Doctoral graduates by gender ....................................................................................................................... 7
Funding of doctoral candidates ..................................................................................................................... 7
Measures to increase the quality of doctoral training ................................................................................... 8
Skills agenda for researchers ......................................................................................................................... 8

6.

WORKING CONDITIONS ...........................................................................................................................8

Measures to improve researchers funding opportunities ............................................................................. 8
Remuneration ................................................................................................................................................ 9
Researchers Statute .................................................................................................................................... 10
European Charter for Researchers & Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.................... 10
Autonomy of institutions.............................................................................................................................. 10
Career development ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Shift from core to project-based funding ..................................................................................................... 11
Social security benefits (sickness, unemployment, old-age) ........................................................................ 11

7.

COLLABORATION BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY ....................................................................... 11

8.

MOBILITY AND INTERNATIONAL ATTRACTIVENESS ............................................................................... 12

Measures aimed at attracting and retaining leading national, EU and third country researchers ........... 12
Inward mobility (funding) ............................................................................................................................ 13
Outbound mobility ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Promotion of dual careers .......................................................................................................................... 14
Portability of national grants ....................................................................................................................... 14
Access to cross-border grants ...................................................................................................................... 14

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1. Key data
National R&D intensity target
Spain has set a national R&D intensity target of 3%, within which public sector R&D investment would reach
1% and business R&D investment 2% of GDP by 2020. In 2011, Spanish R&D intensity was 1.33%. Public sector
R&D intensity amounted to 0.64% and business R&D intensity 0.70%. Both values have fallen slightly in 2011
compared to 2010. () Private R&D expenditure has also been seriously affected by the economic crisis.
Business R&D expenditure in real terms reached a peak in 2008. Spanish firms more than doubled their R&D
expenditure in real terms over the period 2000-2008. However, following the economic crisis and liquidity
constraints, business R&D investment fell by 6.27% in 2009 and by another 0.81% in 2010. Firms in food,
automobiles, and construction, have undertaken the strongest cuts.
Key indicators measuring the countrys research performance
The figure below presents key indicators measuring Spains performance on aspects of an open labour market
1
for researchers against a reference group and the EU-27 average .
Figure 1: Key indicators Spain
5.8
Number of researchers (Full Time Equivalent) per thousand labour force (2010)

5.3
6.6
16.9

Percentage of women as grade A academic staff (2010)

18.6
19.8
8.1
22.7
40.8

Number of researchers posts advertised through EURAXESS Jobs portal per thousand
researchers in the public sector (2012)

1.2
Number of new doctoral graduates (ISCED 6) per thousand population aged 25-34 (2010)

1.4
1.6
598.7

International scientific co-publications per million population (2011)

467.7
300.3
10.2
7.4
10.9

Scientific publications amounting to the top ten percent most-cited publications worldwide as
percentage of total scientific publications (2008)

20.7
Percentage of researchers employed on fixed-term contracts (2012)

31.7
34.3
5.7
4.9
7.8
32.3
26.6
31.0

Percentage of doctoral candidates (ISCED 6) with a citizenship of another EU 27 Member State

(2010)

Percentage of post-PhD researchers who have been internationally mobile for 3 months or more
in the last ten years (2012)

17.3
Non-EU doctoral candidates as percentage of all doctoral candidates (2010)

5.3
20.0
Spain

Reference Group Moderate Innovators

EU27

Source: Deloitte
Data: Eurostat, SHE Figures, EURAXESS Jobs Portal, UNESCO OECD Eurostat education survey, Innovation Union Scoreboard 2013, MORE2
Notes: Based on their average innovation performance across 25 indicators, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malta,
2

Portugal, Slovakia and Spain show a performance below that of the EU-27. These countries are the Moderate innovators .

Stock of researchers
The table below presents the stock of researchers by Head Count (HC) and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) and in
relation to the active labour force.
Table 1: Human resources Stock of researchers
Indicator
Head Count per 1 000 active labour force (2010)
Head Count (2010)
FTE per 1 000 active labour force (2010)

1
2

Spain
9.70
224 000
5.83

EU Average/Total
10.17
2 435 487
6.64

The values refer to 2012 or the latest year available

European Commission (2013), Innovation Union Scoreboard 2013

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Indicator
Full time equivalent (FTE) (2010)

Spain
134 653

EU Average/Total
1 589 140

Source: Deloitte
Data: Eurostat

2. National strategies
The Spanish Government has put in place a range of measures aimed at training enough researchers to meet
its R&D targets and at promoting attractive employment conditions in public research institutions. The table
below presents key programmes and initiatives intended to implement the strategic objectives to train enough
researchers to reach Spains R&D targets, to promote attractive working conditions, and to address gender and
dual career aspects.
Table 2: National strategies and laws
Measure

Spanish Science, Technology and

Innovation Strategy (2013-2020)

State Scientific and Technological

Research, and Innovation Plan
(ongoing-2016)

University 2015 Strategy (2010)

Strategy for the Sustainable Economy

(2009)

Law on a Sustainable Economy (2011)

Law on Science, Technology and

Innovation (2011)

Description
At national level
Strategies
The Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy is a 7-year strategy
approved by the Spanish Government on 1 February 2013. It aims, among
other overarching objectives, to acknowledge and promote talent in R&D&I
and to promote researchers employability. To achieve that goal, its specific
objectives are to train researchers, to foster mobility and promote career
development, and to multiply career opportunities for researchers.
The plan implements the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (see
above) until 2016. Specifically aimed at training researchers, the plan includes
measures to promote doctoral training in cooperation with industry, and
entrepreneurship as well as to promote research management training. To
foster mobility and promote career development, the plan encourages
researchers from public institutions to spend some time working in the
business sector. It also includes measures to attract high-level third country
scientists.
The University 2015 Strategy is a Spanish Government initiative for
modernising universities in Spain through the coordination of the
autonomous regional university systems and the development of a modern
Spanish University System. The Strategy promotes research activities and
innovation in Spanish universities while encouraging training activities and
knowledge transfer from the academic world to companies.
The Strategy for the Sustainable Economy is a key government tool for
achieving economic growth compatible with sustainable development. Key
priorities of this national strategic reform programme were to increase
investments in R&D and design a new innovation strategy.
Laws
The Law on a Sustainable Economy promotes R&D and innovation through the
implementation of public procurement processes. It facilitates access to
research patents and to commercial exploitation of research results. It also
simplifies administrative procedures and promotes technical and professional
training.
The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation describes a stable and
predictable science career for researchers as well as a more efficient and
effective R&D system. The law contains provisions to foster partnerships
between academia and industry and regulates mobility patterns between
public entities and the private sector.

Available at: http://www.educacion.gob.es/dctm/eu2015/2010-eu2015-ingles.pdf?documentId=0901e72b804260c4

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Plan for the Researchers Career in

Catalonia (2005)

The 2010-2013 Research and

Innovation Plan (PRI), Catalonia

At regional level4
The Plan for the Researchers Career is an initiative at regional level aiming at
developing strategies and instruments to increase the number of researchers
in Catalonia, encourage researchers career development in both the public
and private sectors, and researchers mobility between countries, and
between academia and business.
The Research and Innovation Plan is an initiative at regional level aiming to
plan, promote and coordinate Catalonia's research and innovation. The Plan is
also the fundamental instrument for maintaining the development of the
5
2008 Catalan Agreement on Research and Innovation (PNRI) over this fouryear period.

Source: Deloitte

3. Women in the research profession

Measures supporting women researchers in top-level positions
In 2010, the percentage of women grade A academic staff was 16.9% in Spain compared with 18.6% among
6
the Innovation Union reference group and the EU average of 19.8% .
Gender equality provisions are included in national laws, and universities and research institutions are obliged
by the law to prepare and put in practice relevant action plans.
The Spanish government has created a Women and Science Unit aiming to promote gender aspects in
science, technology and innovation by:
Promoting the presence of women in all spheres of science, technology and innovation, based on
their merits and skills, establishing mechanisms for eliminating bias, barriers and disincentives;
Promoting the inclusion of gender as a cross-cutting category in scientific research, as well as specific
research in the field of gender and women's studies;
Promoting the inclusion of gender as a cross-cutting category in technological developments and
innovation.
Measures to ensure a representative gender balance
The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation and the Equality Law (Ley de Igualdad, 2007) provide for
gender balance in the nomination of evaluation committees, councils and bodies. Universities and public
research institutions are bound by the Law to prepare and implement gender Action Plans. Incentives are
given to institutions that can prove an improvement in gender balance figures.
Apart from the legislation, published reports provide information about gender statistics (e.g. Statistics on
public tenders in R&D broken down by gender) while the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness in 2011
published a White Paper on the situation of women in Spanish science (Libro Blanco sobre la situacin de las
mujeres en la ciencia espaola). The White Paper points out that gender equality in all spheres of social life
and within the science and technology sector is a major issue for the Spanish economy and society. Despite the
fact that there are more women university students than men and they do better academically, they make up
fewer than 30% of those employed in some professions, such as engineering and experimental sciences.

4
The autonomous communities of Asturias and Catalonia are indicated as two examples of regional action throughout the country file.
Examples of other R&D Regional Plans are: Andaluca: Plan Andaluz de Investigacin, Desarrollo e Innovacin; Aragn: II Plan
Autonmico de Investigacin, Desarrollo y Transferencia de Conocimientos; Asturias: Plan de Ciencia, Tecnologa e Innovacin 2015;
Baleares: Plan de cincia, tecnologia i innovaci de les Illes Balears 2009-2012; Canarias: Plan Canario I+D+i 2011-2015; Cantabria:
Plan Regional de I+D+i de Cantabria; Castilla y Len: Estrategia Regional de Investigacin Cientfica, Desarrollo Tecnolgico e Innovacin
de Castilla y Len 2007-2013; Castilla- La Mancha: Plan Regional de Investigacin Cientfica, Desarrollo Tecnolgico e Innovacin de
Castilla- La Mancha (2011-2015); Catalua: Pla de Recerca i Innovacin de Catalunya; Extremadura: IV Plan Regional de I+D+i de
Extremadura (PRI, 2010-2013); Galicia: Plan Estratxico Galicia 2010-2014 Horizonte 2020; Madrid: Plan de Ciencia y Tecnologa de la
Comunidad de Madrid; Murcia: Plan de Ciencia, Tecnologa e Innovacin de la Regin de Murcia 2011-2014; Navarra: Plan Moderna
Pas Vasco: Plan de Ciencia, Tecnologa e Innovacin 2015 and C. Valenciana: Plan General Estratgico de Ciencia y Tecnologa de la
Comunitat Valenciana (PGECYT) 2010-2015
5
The Catalan Agreement on Research and Innovation (Pacte Nacional per a la Recerca i la Innovaci - PNRI), sponsored by the Minister for
Innovation, Universities and Enterprise, is envisioned as a long-term and far-reaching agreement, with broad consensus among social,
economic and political agents, designed to shape a competitive economy in a knowledge society founded on progress created by talent,
science, technology and innovation
6
See Figure 1 Key indicators Spain

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Maternity leave
As is the case with social security benefits (see chapter 6 Working conditions for information on social
security benefits), provisions for maternity leave are also included in all public R&D calls.

4. Open, transparent and merit-based recruitment

Recruitment system
The Spanish researchers recruitment system is somewhat segmented due to the fact that the Autonomous
Communities have their own competencies for R&D issues.
Open recruitment in institutions
The table below presents information on open recruitment in higher education and public research
institutions.
Table 3: Open recruitment in higher education and public research institutions
Do institutions in the country currently have
policies to ?
publish job vacancies on relevant
national online platforms
publish job vacancies on relevant Europewide online platforms (e.g. EURAXESS)
publish job vacancies in English
systematically establish selection panels
establish clear rules for the composition
of selection panels (e.g. number and role
of members, inclusion of foreign experts,
gender balance, etc.)
publish the composition of a selection
panel (obliging the recruiting institution)
publish the selection criteria together
with job advert
regulate a minimum time period
between vacancy publication and the
deadline for applying
place the burden of proof on the
employer to prove that the recruitment
procedure was open and transparent
offer applicants the right to receive
adequate feedback
offer applicants the right to appeal

Yes/No

Description

Yes/
No
Yes

Job vacancies are sometimes published online.

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Source: Deloitte

EURAXESS Services Network

In 2012, the number of researcher posts advertised through the EURAXESS Jobs portal per thousand
researchers in the public sector was 8.1 in Spain compared with 22.7 among the Innovation Union reference
7
group and an EU average of 40.8 .
Information on entry conditions, transfer of social security and pension contributions, accommodation,
administrative assistance, etc. is available in the Guide for Foreign Researchers in Spain (2011)8, prepared by
the Spanish National Science Foundation (FECYT) which is the Bridgehead Organization (national coordinator)
of the Spanish Network. This guide is updated every two years and can be found on the Spanish EURAXESS
portal9 which is also managed by FECYT.

See Figure 1 Key indicators Spain

Available at:
http://www.fecyt.es/fecyt/detalle.do?elegidaSiguiente=&elegidaNivel3=;SalaPrensa;publicaciones;guiasymanuales&elegidaNivel2=;Sala
Prensa;publicaciones&elegidaNivel1=;SalaPrensa&tc=publicaciones&id=guia%20investigadores%20extranjeros%202011
9
Available at: http://www.euraxess.es/eng/services/guide-for-foreign-researchers
8

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The network of service centres provides personal assistance to newly arrived researchers, including
(sometimes) welcome information packages. In Spain, it is not mandatory for public research bodies to publish
online the positions available on the EURAXESS Jobs portal. Most institutions have their own on-line research
job advertisement system, although many are related to the information provided on the EURAXESS Jobs
portal.
In 2012, 166 Spanish organisations published a total of 720 positions on the EURAXESS Jobs portal. This
represents 1.97% of the total number of jobs published in that year. The Spanish EURAXESS portal publicises
the job positions that are advertised on the EURAXESS Jobs portal; it also offers information on national and
European calls.

5. Education and training

Measures to attract and train people to become researchers
The JAE-intro programme, run by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), aims to introduce
undergraduate students to research methods. It offers grants of up to two months at the Spanish National
Research Council. In addition, the Ministry of Education has two programmes (Arqumedes and Young
10
Researchers) that recognise undergraduate students who show outstanding research potential .
In order to attract and train secondary school students to become researchers, the Ministry of Education
organises national Olympics in mathematics, physics and chemistry. Together with the Spanish Foundation for
Science and Technology (FEYCT), the Ministry of Education also organises summer campuses at university
centres. In 2013, 1 808 students were due to take part in this programme.
In order to increase the number of students taking science to a doctoral level, the Spanish government has
implemented the Master Plan for Mentoring and Guidance of Students. The Spanish government has not
adopted specific policies to increase female representation. However, some Autonomous Communities have
adopted measures to increase the number of women with doctorates. For example, in Asturias 64% of all PhD
students are women.
Under the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, all universities and public research institutions are
required to implement Gender Balance Plans (see chapter 3 Women in the research profession) by setting
concrete targets for pre-doctoral researchers (of both sexes).
Doctoral graduates by gender
The table below shows the number of doctoral graduates in Spain by gender as a ratio of the total population.
Table 4: Doctoral graduates by gender
Indicator
New doctoral graduates (ISCED 6) per 1 000 population aged 25-34 (2010)
Graduates (ISCED 6) per 1 000 of the female population aged 25-34 (2010)
Graduates (ISCED 6) per 1 000 of the male population aged 25-34 (2010)

Spain
1.2
1.1
1.2

EU Average
1.5
1.4
1.6

Source: Deloitte
Data: Eurostat

Funding of doctoral candidates

The table below presents the two different funding paths accessible to Spanish doctoral candidates.

10

For information on the FPU programme (Formacin de Profesorado Universitario) and the FPI programme (Formacin de
Personal Investigador), see Table 5 below.

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Table 5: Funding opportunities for doctoral candidates

Foundation

Description

FPU Programme,
Ministry of Education
(ongoing)

The Ministry of Education runs the FPU programme (Formacin de Profesorado

Universitario) to train future university professors, including the presentation of a doctoral
thesis. It includes short-term visiting fellowships and tuition fee grants. In 2012, 50 of a
total of 800 grants went to non-EU candidates. In addition, the programme funds 500
visiting fellowships for a period of between two and four months, and 40 visiting
fellowships for a period of between six and nine months. In 2011, the number of FPU grants
was 945, or 1.37% of all doctoral candidates.
The Secretariat of State for Research, Development and Innovation of the Ministry of the
Economy and Competitiveness runs the FPI programme (Formacin de Personal
Investigador) to train researchers, including the presentation of a doctoral thesis. In
addition, the programme funds visiting fellowships for a period of between two and six
months, including tuition fees. In 2011, the number of FPI grants was 972, or 1.41% of all
doctoral candidates.
The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) runs the JAE-Predoc programme to train
researchers, including the presentation of a doctoral thesis. This programme provides
grants lasting a period of three years for the recruitment of post-doc juniors to work for the
Spanish National Research Council. In 2011, the number of JAE-Predoc grants was 154, or
0.22% of all doctoral candidates.
Grants associated with research projects.

Stipend/Grant

Secretariat of State for

Research, Development
and Innovation, Ministry
of the Economy and
Competitiveness
The Spanish National
Research Council (CSIC)

Other

Employment contract
These three programmes are based on a two-year grant + two-year contract. The new Spanish Law on Science,
Technology and Innovation envisages replacing all grants with four-year employment contracts by 2014.
Source: Deloitte

Measures to increase the quality of doctoral training

Doctoral studies include quality assurance, monitoring and follow up activities for the doctoral students. In an
effort to increase the quality of doctoral training, the Spanish government makes awards to PhD programmes
for excellence; it funds participation in international doctoral schools (within the International Campus of
Excellence Programme that aims to improve the international competitiveness of Spanish university
campuses); it also promotes public-private collaboration agreements, including training provisions for research
staff.
Skills agenda for researchers
The Spanish Government has adopted the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The Spanish Framework
of Qualifications for Education (MECES) aims at structuring learning qualifications throughout the different
levels of education. The framework is based on the Dublin Descriptors, which define the level of learning
required for each stage of the higher education system (Bachelor, Master and Doctorate).
Training initiatives have been also developed at regional levels to improve researchers employment skills and
competencies, e.g. the Future Researchers Workshops and the Project Management Workshops implemented
by the Autonomous Community of Catalonia.

6. Working conditions
Measures to improve researchers funding opportunities
The following table presents measures aimed at promoting researchers funding opportunities at national and
regional level.
Table 6: Measures to improve researchers funding opportunities
Measure

Description
At national level
Laws

The Law on a Sustainable Economy

(2011)
The Law on Science, Technology

The Law on a Sustainable Economy promotes public procurement calls related to

the promotion of R&D&I activities.
The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation establishes two financing

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Measure

Description

and Innovation (2011)

agencies:
The State Agency for Research (Agencia Estatal de Investigacin): to promote
new knowledge in scientific and technological research (planned);
The Centre for Industrial Technology Development (Centro para el Desarrollo
Tecnolgico Industrial): to promote innovation and experimental
developments.
The law also covers the promotion of researchers mobility between universities,
public research institutions and regional organisations. Researchers are allowed to
work for up to five years in other public or private, national or international
organisations.
Programmes

Ramn y Cajal Programme

(ongoing)

The Ramn y Cajal programme provides grants for a period of five years for the
recruitment of candidates who have undertaken research placements at R&D
centres other than those included in the programme for a period of at least 24
months after having obtained their PhDs, or who have been awarded full PhDs at
foreign universities and have worked for at least 24 months after getting their PhD
degree. Since 2012, the programme has also included financial support for the
creation of permanent jobs. In 2012, the Ramn y Cajal programme increased the
amount of each grant by 10%. In addition, the programme includes a EUR 100 000
sum per grant to support a long-term contract. In 2012, the number of Ramn y
Cajal grants was 175.
The Juan de la Cierva programme provides grants for a period of three years for
the recruitment of researchers who have recently been awarded their PhD (or are
about to get it). In 2012, the number of Juan de la Cierva grants was 225.
This programme provides grants lasting for a period of three years for the
recruitment of post-doc juniors to work for the Spanish National Research Council.
In 2011, the number of JAE-doc grants was 97.
This programme provides a subsidy to private institutions for three years in order
to employ post-doc researchers for viability studies or experimental development
projects, or industrial research activities. In 2012, the number of Torres Quevedo
grants was 330.
11
At regional level

Juan de la Cierva Programme

(ongoing)
JAE-doc Programme (ongoing)

Torres Quevedo Programme

(ongoing)

Asturias Science, Technology and

Innovation Plan (2006-2009)
Catalan Mobility Support Node

Procedure for the authorisation of

the signed host agreements with
foreign researchers, Catalonia
Strategic Agreement to Promote
Internationalisation of the Catalan
Economy, the Strengthening of its
Competitiveness and the Quality
of Employment (2008-11)

This Plan in the Asturias Autonomous Community supported researchers career

development, including remuneration and working conditions.
The Catalan Mobility Support Node is a EURAXESS Service Centre which aims to
coordinate initiatives that foster the attraction of R&D&I talent and facilitate the
mobility of talented researchers. The Node acts as a platform for the university
institutions and research centres to help researchers and their families.
The procedure requires research organisations wishing to sign hosting agreements
with foreign researchers to be previously authorised by the State or the
Autonomous Community of Catalonia. The procedure aims in this way to improve
researchers working conditions.
The Strategic Agreement includes provisions related to researchers salaries, the
recruitment of international research staff and the return to Catalonia of Catalan
researchers.

Source: Deloitte

Remuneration
Since 1984, researchers in public higher education institutions have been considered to be public sector
employees and therefore have similar remuneration packages. They can also receive complements to their
salary depending on their productivity (complemento de productividad). As there was an absence of
performance evaluation criteria, the 2011 Law on Science, Technology and Innovation incorporates criteria for
evaluating researchers merits. Researchers are also eligible to further increase their income by receiving
royalties from patents.

11

This list is non-exhaustive. There a number of other measures at regional level.

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For further information, see the new country profile on remuneration of researchers from the MORE2 study
(forthcoming, on the EURAXESS website).
Researchers Statute
Since 2006, Real Decreto 63/2006 has guaranteed an in-training statute for researchers (Estatuto del personal
investigador en formacin). The Law on Science and Technology creates a more coherent researcher statute.
Under that law, institutions are also required immediately to employ researchers at all levels of study by
signing four-year employment contracts. The law also foresees the creation of special contracts for recruiting
distinguished and well-known researchers to come and work in Spanish host institutions.
European Charter for Researchers & Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation includes provisions on the adoption and implementation of
the Charter and Code. Additionally, the EURAXESS Network in Spain through 76 Service Centres (present in
most Autonomous Communities), actively promotes the EURAXESS Rights initiative on the implementation of
the Charter & Code. So far, 50 institutions have endorsed the Charter & Code, and three have been awarded
the 'HR Excellence in Research' logo.
Autonomy of institutions
The Spanish System of Science and Technology (SECyT) is an aggregation of systems of the general
administration of the State and the Autonomous Communities, with the regional governments having
competence for R&D. The 2011 Law on Science, Technology and Innovation improved mechanisms for
coordination of the different national and regional policies. The law accords the Autonomous Communities the
right to:
Sign agreements between public and private agents;
Subscribe to collaboration, cooperation and shared-management agreements with the State;
Have their staff access benefits derived from industrial property; and
Participate in Scientific and Technological Policy Councils.
Currently, only a few higher education institutions enjoy full autonomy to recruit their personnel despite the
fact that they belong to the regional Autonomous Communities. This is the case of the research centres in
Catalonia (CERCA Centres).
Career development
The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation creates a clear researchers career path by regulating the
contractual agreements signed between the researchers and the host institutions. Under this scheme,
researchers are considered as civil servants, but the specificities of the research profession are taken into
12
account. Moreover, researchers always have the option of choosing a non-civil servant career path .
In Spain, the career of researchers in public universities and research institutions begins through a first
temporary pre-doctoral contract of up to four years ending with a PhD degree. Subsequently, researchers may
sign contracts to access the SECyT and stay in the SECyT for up to five years. At that point, the researcher
undergoes two performance evaluations. A positive evaluation will provide the researcher with access to a
fixed contract and thus access to the lower levels of the civil service through internal promotion. Under the
new law, when applying for public positions in Spain, candidates from all EU countries have the right to be
assessed in English and not in Spanish/other recognised regional languages.

12

In Spain, a researcher can be employed by an institution under one of the following schemes:

Grants outside the Researchers In-training Statute (Estatuto del personal investigador en formacin, EPIF);

Grants/contracts within the Researchers In-training Statute (Estatuto del personal investigador en formacin);

Under regional pre-doctoral grants/contracts (2 year grant + 2 year contract) - sometimes also, under a 1+ 3 or 0 + 4
arrangements;

Under temporary contracts up to 5 years;

Under fixed employment contracts;

As a civil servant.

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Apart from this new law, which is applicable at national level, Autonomous Communities can develop
individual plans related to the researchers career (e.g. the Researchers Career in Catalonia (La carrera
investigadora)).
Shift from core to project-based funding
Researchers who are involved in project-based research have access to publicly funded contracts with clear
descriptions and activities planning. This is the case for the pre-doctoral FPI programmes (Formacin de
Personal Investigador), the post-doc Ramon y Cajal Programme, the FPU programme (Formacin de
Profesorado Universitario), the Juan de la Cierva programme , the JAE-doc programme and the Torres Quevedo
programme (see chapter 8 Mobility and international attractiveness).
Social security benefits (sickness, unemployment, old-age)
Researchers under employment contracts or receiving funding are granted social security coverage, including
sickness and unemployment benefits. Old-age benefits are only available for PhD students under employment
contracts, but not for pre-doctoral students receiving grants.

7. Collaboration between academia and industry

The following table summarises programmes designed to boost collaboration between academia and industry,
and to foster doctoral training in cooperation with industry.
Table 7: Collaboration between academia and industry
Measure
ERDFInnterconecta
Programme
(ongoing)

INNCORPORA
programme
(Technicians)
(ongoing)

INNFLUYE subprogramme
(ongoing)
INNPACTO
(ongoing)

Innpronta Programme
(ongoing)

The CENIT
Programme
(ongoing)

Description
At national level
The programme finances integrated experimental development projects, of a large-scale,
strategic nature, whose aim is the development of new technologies in forward-looking
areas of technology with economic and commercial prospects at international level and
representing an important technological and industrial advance for the regions receiving
funding from the "R&D&I by and for the benefit of Companies - Technology Fund"
Operating Programme.
This programme funds the hiring of technicians by the private sector for a minimum of one
year and a maximum of three. In 2012, the total budget was EUR 91.2 million (EUR 1.2
million as grants and the rest of the amount as subsidised loans).
The Inncorpora programme allows for mobility between the public and the business sector.
The aim of the programme is to engage highly-skilled staff in private companies (as well as
technology centres, science parks and business associations) and support knowledge
transfer between academia and the business sector.
INNFLUYE funds the creation and strengthening of Spanish Technology Platforms, i.e.
public-private groups which work on developing and updating R&D agendas and innovation
priorities for their particular sector. The total budget allocated for 2013 is EUR 1.5 million.
INNPACTO fosters steady cooperation between research institutions and firms. It supports
collaborative experimental development projects focused on market demand. Projects are
multi-year and funded with grants and subsidised loans. In 2012, the total budget was EUR
851.7 million.
The Innpronta Programme falls under the Centre for the Development of Industrial
Technology (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnolgico Industrial). It offers grants to promote
stable public-private cooperation in R&D. The programme finances large industrial research
projects of a strategic nature in the following priority areas: energy, the environment and
climate change, biotechnology, health and food. The multi-year grants are for the
development of new technologies in forward-looking areas with economic and commercial
prospects at international level. The budget was EUR 102 million for 2011.
The CENIT Programme is part of the INGENIO 2010 initiative launched by the government in
2006 to stimulate cooperation in R&D&I among businesses, universities, public or private
research and technology centres.
CENIT has the following characteristics: i) industrial research projects with mandatory and
contractual cooperation between companies and public, private or other research groups;
ii) at least four independent firms (two of them SMEs) and two public research institutions;
iii) minimum commitment of four years; iv) minimum budget of EUR 20 million; and v) at
least 20% of the budget must be developed by research organisations or technology centres

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Measure

Description
At national level
under contract.

Torres Quevedo
Programme
(ongoing)
Talent Empresa
Programme (TEM
Grants), Catalonia

Managed by the CDTI, CENIT is a competitive program with grants of up to 50% of the
budget of the projects. There were six calls during the period 2006-2010 with EUR 1 072
million of grants. The last projects will be completed in 2014.
This programme gives a subsidy to private institutions for three years in order to employ
post-doc researchers for viability studies or experimental development projects or
industrial research activities. In 2012, the number of Torres Quevedo grants was 330.
At regional level
The TEM Grants target Catalonias SMEs, technology parks, etc. to encourage them to
employ researchers to work for industry.

Source: Deloitte questionnaire and Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness website:

www.micinn.es/stfls/MICINN/Investigacion/FICHEROS/PROGRAMA_TRABAJO_011_12-01-11.pdf

The Science, Technology and Innovation Law includes a section focusing on human resources dedicated to
research. Its main new features include the ambitious task of regulating mobility between public entities and
the private sector, creating specific employment contracts for researchers and the undertaking, in a clearly
defined manner, of performance evaluations for career professionals in the public research entities of the
General State Administration.

8. Mobility and international attractiveness

In 2010, the percentage of doctoral candidates (ISCED 6) with citizenship of another EU-27 Member State was
13
5.7% in Spain compared with 4.9% among the Innovation Union reference group and an EU average of 7.8% .
In the same year, the percentage of non-EU doctoral candidates as a percentage of all doctoral candidates was
17.3% in Spain compared with 5.3% among the Innovation Union reference group and an EU average of
14
20.0% .
Measures aimed at attracting and retaining leading national, EU and third country researchers
The table below summarises key measures aimed at attracting and retaining leading national, EU and thirdcountry researchers.
Table 8: Measures to attract and to retain leading national, EU and third-country researchers
Measure
Ikerbasque Basque Foundation
for Science (Basque Country)
(ongoing)
Clarn de ayudas
postdoctorales del Principado de
Asturias Programme (Mobilidad
B) (ongoing)
ICREA Programme (Catalonia)
(ongoing)
Ramn y Cajal Programme
(ongoing)

13
14

Description
The Basque Foundation launches calls to attract and retain distinguished
researchers, regardless of their nationality.
The Clarn programme aims to attract researchers currently working in foreign
institutions to pursue a researcher career in the Autonomous Community of the
Principality of Asturias.
The ICREA programme aims to attract researchers from around the world, based on
their scientific talent, to move to and work in Catalonia.
The Ramn y Cajal programme provides grants lasting for a period of five years for
the recruitment of candidates who have undertaken research placements at R&D
centres other than those included in the programme for a period of at least 24
months after having obtained their PhDs, or who have been fully awarded PhDs in
foreign universities and have worked at least 24 months after getting their PhD
degree. Since 2012, the programme has also included financial support to the
creation of jobs on a permanent basis. In 2012, the Ramn y Cajal programme
increased the amount of each grant by 10%. In addition, it includes a EUR 100 000
sum per grant to support a long-term contract. In 2012, the number of Ramn y
Cajal grants was 175.

See Figure 1 Key indicators Spain

Ibid.

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Measure
Juan de la Cierva Programme
(ongoing)

Description
The Juan de la Cierva programme provides grants lasting a period of three years for
the recruitment of researchers who have recently been awarded their PhD (or are
about to get it). In 2012, the number of Juan de la Cierva grants was 225.

Source: Deloitte

Finally, the Spanish Government is planning to create a programme at national level (an extension of the
existing Severo Ochoa Programa in Asturias see below) which will target high-level scientists, regardless of
their nationality.
Inward mobility (funding)
In Spain, the major obstacles to researchers mobility are either legal problems related to visa acquisition or
language barriers, especially in connection with administrative procedures. In 2009, the government
implemented the Scientific Visa Directive via the Spanish Immigration Act 2/2009.
The table below summarises key measures aimed at supporting researchers inward mobility.
Table 9: Measures supporting researchers inward mobility
Measure
Accin Estratgica de Salud Sara
15
Borrell (ongoing)
Accin Estratgica de Salud Rio
16
Hortega (ongoing)
Linea Inncorpora -Torres
Quevedo17 (ongoing)

Programme I3 - Incentives for

the incorporation and
strengthening of research
activity (ongoing)
Mobility of Foreign University
Lecturers or Researchers in
Spanish Centres18 (ongoing)
19

Juan de la Cierva Programme

(ongoing)
20

SIC-JAE-Doc (ongoing)

21

Ramn y Cajal Programme

(ongoing)

1. Contrato de acceso al Sistema

Espaol de Ciencia, Tecnologa e
Innovacin (ongoing)
2. Contrato de investigador
distinguido (ongoing)

Description
The Sara Borrell Action is part of the Strategic Health Programme. It supports health
research centres wanting to employ national or foreign doctors with experience in
health research for a maximum three-year period.
The Rio Hortega Action is part of the Strategic Health Programme and aims at
engaging health professionals in research teams to obtain experience in research.
This budget line grants a subsidy to private companies, technology centres, business
associations or scientific parks for a maximum of three years in order to employ
national or foreign researchers for experimental developments, viability studies or
industrial research. After the period of three years, the contract must become
permanent.
Programme I3A supports research institutions to permanently employ national or
foreign post-docs students.

This programme comes under the Ministry of the Economy and Competitiveness. It
targets foreign researchers and lecturers coming to Spain, either during a sabbatical
year (for senior researchers or professors) or by signing employment contracts (for
young doctors) for a period of nine to eighteen months.
The Juan de la Cierva subprogramme promotes a contract for post-doc juniors to be
integrated and work in research teams for a maximum of three years (see also table
8).
Under the CSIC-JAE-Doc programme, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
offers three-year postdoctoral contracts to national and foreign post-doctoral
researchers, including the preparation of a PhD thesis.
The Ramn y Cajal subprogramme promotes a contract for post-doc seniors to be
integrated and work in research teams for a maximum of five years (see also table
8).
These are two types of contract access to the SECyT and the distinguished
researcher contract developed under the Spanish Law on Science, Technology and
Innovation. They are open to both nationals and foreign researchers. The first is for
researchers who obtained their PhD in the previous five years.

Source: Deloitte

15

Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness

Ibid
Ibid
18
National Human Resources Mobility Programme, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness
19
Part of the National Programme for Recruitment and Incorporation of Human Resources - Programa Nacional de Contratacin e
incorporacin de RRHH, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness
20
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
21
Ibid
16
17

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Outbound mobility
The table below presents measures aimed at encouraging researchers to spend some time in another country.
Table 10: Measures supporting researchers outbound mobility
Measure
FPI, FPU and JAE pre-doctoral
grants
Human Resources
Subprogramme Salvador
Madariaga (ongoing)
Postdoctoral mobility in
foreign centres (ongoing)

Mobility of Spanish university

lecturers and researchers in
foreign centres (ongoing)

Subprogramme of
specialisation in International
Organisations (ongoing)

Clarn de Ayudas
Postdoctorales del Principado
de Asturias Programme
(Modalidad A) (ongoing)
Severo Ochoa del Principado
de Asturias Programme
(ongoing)

Description
At national level
See chapter 5 Education and training.
The Ministry of Education runs this programme that funds researchers wanting to
obtain a PhD at the European University Institute in Florence. The funding is for 48
months (24 month grant and another 24 month employment contract). In 2012, the
total budget was EUR 391 000.
This subprogramme for post-doctorates covers a maximum stay of one month per
year. It includes post-doc positions offered by the Fulbright Commission, the
Ctedras Prncipe de Asturias (Prince of Asturias Chairs) and the International
Computer Science Institute.
In this programme, senior researchers with permanent positions in a public
research institution can apply to spend three to twelve months at a foreign
institution. Young researchers with a temporary or permanent contract in a public
research institution can also apply for a four- to ten-month stay at a foreign
institution. In 2012, the total budget was EUR 7.59 million.
This subprogramme funds researchers, technologists, and science and technology
managers to spend one to two years in an international scientific institution in
another country. Following this period, the beneficiary has to develop a one-year
project in a Spanish public research centre or technology-based enterprise.
At regional level
The Clarin programme of the Principality of Asturias funds post-doctoral
researchers to spend a maximum of 24 months in foreign centres of excellence to
further develop their specialisation (see also table 8).
The Severo Ochoa Programme of the Principality of Asturias funds pre-doctoral
students (two year grant and a two year contract) with additional funding for
annual short stays of a maximum of 60 days.

Source: Deloitte

Promotion of dual careers

There are no specific national public programmes for the promotion of researchers dual careers in Spain.
However, as part of the transposition of the Scientific Visa Package, researchers with a hosting agreement can
make use of a fast-track visa procedure via the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratgicos which
can process the necessary family residence (temporary) and work permits (linked to the researchers main
permit).
Portability of national grants
Publicly funded R&D grants and fellowships provided by the Ministry of the Economy and Competitiveness are
always linked to Spanish R&D centres. The legal and grant beneficiaries are the Spanish institutions and
consequently, the grants are not portable to other EU countries. However, the research can be carried out in
foreign countries, subject to the terms of the relevant call.
Access to cross-border grants
All relevant calls published by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness are open to researchers from all
around the world without any restriction as to nationality. The only prerequisite is that the host R&D centre
needs to be Spanish.
The percentage of foreign researchers winning an R&D Call in 2010 was:
Ramn y Cajal programme: 25%;
Juan de la Cierva programme: 31%;
Formacin de Personal Investigador programme: 16%;
Torres Quevedo (postdoctoral contracts in private companies) programme: 13%.

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