The regional government of La Rioja is funding 18 new research posts with a total of around €2.7 million. The funding for pre- and postdoctoral contracts was announced on 28 August 2026 by the minister responsible for economy, innovation, business and self-employment, Belinda León, and is part of the Plan de Atracción, Retención y Estabilización del Talento 2026–2028, through which La Rioja is strategically expanding its research capacity.
According to the government, two recent calls for applications mobilised a total of €2,710,825. This will create 18 contracts for staff at different qualification levels: researchers with doctoral degrees, doctoral researchers at an advanced stage of training, and PhD candidates in the preparatory phase. Depending on the profile, contracts will run for three to four years. Projects in strategic fields such as agriculture and food, biotechnology, and new or improved materials will receive funding.
The future posts will be spread across institutions in the regional science and innovation system. Those named were the Universidad de La Rioja, with Fundación Rioja Salud, the Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y el Vino, with Fundación para la Transformación de La Rioja and the industry association ASOCHAMP. Other regional research and development organisations may also be included if they meet the funding criteria.
Belinda León placed the decision within the government’s overall strategy. The grants and contracts, she said, are an “essential component” of the talent plan, which aims to attract, retain and secure qualified professionals for the long term. The goal is to strengthen scientific excellence and speed up the transfer of knowledge to the regional economy. The government also points to the importance of predictable career paths in attracting international candidates to La Rioja and keeping local talent in the region.
The regional administration highlights the expected effects: stabilising research groups, broadening the range of research topics and closer cooperation between public institutions and businesses. The funding schemes are also intended to avoid duplication by building on existing institutes and consortia. The distribution of funds to individual projects and final contract allocations will be decided once the assessment processes are complete. The government of La Rioja says any further calls under the 2026–2028 plan will depend on an evaluation of the current calls.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).