The applications are for the Martí i Franquès programme, both in its standard format and the MSCA-COFUND version, and they are from 60 and 90 different countries respectively. The individuals chosen will join the University between December this year and April 2021

The URV has closed the application period for the 76 places available for trainee predoctoral researchers in various knowledge areas in the frame of the Martí i Franquès programme. The call for applications has raised great interest abroad (89% of the applicants are from outside Spain) and has generated 1156 applications, 41% of which have been from women.

For the standard mode, 532 people have registered via the platform, 403 of whom have submitted an application. Of these, 53% are women. The applicants come from more than 60 countries and only 25% have Spanish nationality. For the MSCA-COFUND mode, 1029 people register via the platform, of whom 753 then submitted an application. The gender balance of applications is 35% from women and 65% from men. In this mode, the candidates are principally international (97% are from outside Spain) and come from 90 different countries. In this call for applications, particular effort has been dedicated to publicising the places available around the world in order to encourage applications from more and better candidates and, despite the current situation, the numbers of applicants has not diminished.

The candidate’s research areas include all knowledge areas (Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Social and Legal Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences) and involve 15 departments and almost one hundred URV professors (in the roles of supervisor and co-supervisor). One of the MSCA-COFUND places is reserved for candidates with a disability.

Now that the application period has closed, the selection and evaluation phase begins and will involve international experts and URV selection committees. The aim is for the 76 successful applicants to join the University between December this year and April 2021. During their time at the URV, the candidates will work on their doctoral theses, receive multidisciplinary and intersectorial training and, in the MSCA mode, undertake international study visits at universities, research centres, companies and institutions.

The MSCA-COFUND places are jointly funded by the European Union through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, which provides four million euros for the programme. The URV adds a further 4 million euros in order to be able to contract the researchers. The programme is also supported by the Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera, the IRTA and Banco Santander. This project has been made possible thanks to the Pre-award Support Unit (USPIR), which is jointly funded by the State Agency for Research through the “Redes y Gestores 2019” programme, and thanks to the support provided by Tarragona Provincial Council.