ATRAE Program — Established Talent Recruitment (Incorporación de Talento Consolidado)

ATRAE is Spain's route for bringing consolidated research talent back into the country through universities and public research organisations. It sits under the 2024-2027 state plan for human resources and is administered by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación. The call is meant to attract researchers of recognised international prestige who have spent a substantial period working abroad and are ready to re-enter the Spanish system. The 2026 call carries a total budget of EUR 40,000,000 and runs from April 23, 2026 to June 4, 2026. It is a competitive grant round, with applications handled in Spanish. Eligibility is limited to universities and public research bodies; individuals, companies, and non-research organisations are outside the scope of the call. The programme also gives special recognition to principal investigators moving from institutions based in the United States. ATRAE is best suited to host institutions that can offer an excellent research environment and integrate a senior hire into a strong team. The call is not about broad participation; it is about a targeted recruitment case with clear scientific standing, a history of work abroad, and a credible plan for how the appointment will strengthen Spain's research base. Institutions that can show that fit should be able to make a sharper application than those treating the route as a generic staffing grant.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.