The ICFO Fellowship is a fully funded opportunity offered by ICFO The Institute of Photonic Sciences, one of Spain’s leading research centers in light science and photonics, located in Barcelona. The ICFO Fellowship is open to undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral candidates from any country in the world, and it supports final degree projects, master’s theses, research stays, and full doctoral training within ICFO’s research groups. Launched under the “Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence” accreditation awarded by Spain’s Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the program reflects ICFO’s commitment to scientific excellence and its mission of giving talented students early, hands-on exposure to frontier research.

For students planning ahead for the 2027 cycle, the ICFO Fellowship remains one of the most attractive fully funded routes into European photonics research. It covers a monthly stipend, travel costs, and, depending on the level of study, tuition and health insurance, allowing recipients to focus entirely on their research without financial strain. Whether you are an undergraduate looking for a short research stay or a graduate planning a full PhD, the ICFO Fellowship gives you access to world-class laboratories, expert mentorship, and an international scientific community.

ICFO Fellowship Summary

Eligibility for ICFO Fellowship

General Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the ICFO Fellowship, applicants must be enrolled or registered in an eligible undergraduate, master’s, PhD, or postdoctoral program at the time of their research stay at ICFO. Candidates should come from a relevant academic background such as physics, engineering, chemistry, mathematics, or biology, and a good command of English is required since research and coursework are conducted in English. Applicants also need the backing of their home university or institution, since the stay is formalized through a training agreement between that institution and ICFO.

Age and Academic Requirements

There is no strict maximum age limit for the ICFO Fellowship, but applicants are expected to be in good academic standing and actively pursuing their degree at a recognized university. Undergraduate applicants should typically be in their final years of study, master’s applicants should be working on or approaching their thesis, and PhD applicants must hold a degree that gives them access to doctoral studies, generally completed within the last few years.

Benefits of ICFO Fellowship

Financial Benefits

The ICFO Fellowship provides a monthly stipend of €300 for students residing in Catalunya and €600 for students who do not reside in Catalunya, granted for full-time dedication to the research project. Eligible travel expenses are also covered, and PhD fellows receive full funding for the entire duration of their doctoral studies, along with medical care and work accident insurance through the Spanish Social Security system.

Academic and Personal Benefits

Beyond the financial support, the ICFO Fellowship gives students the chance to work inside active research groups at one of Europe’s top photonics institutes, gaining direct exposure to cutting-edge topics such as quantum optics, nanophotonics, and biophysics. Fellows benefit from mentorship by leading scientists, access to advanced laboratories, and the opportunity to build an international network that can support their future academic or industry career.

Documents Required for ICFO Fellowship

Applicants to the ICFO Fellowship generally need to prepare the following documents:

• Updated curriculum vitae in English
• Motivation or presentation letter stating the research group of interest and explaining why the fellowship will benefit the applicant’s career
• Academic transcripts from current or previous studies
• Letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors
• Proof of enrollment or registration at the applicant’s home university
• A training agreement or willingness to formalize one between the home institution and ICFO

How to Apply for ICFO Fellowship

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Visit the official ICFO jobs and fellowships page to review current calls and choose the program that matches your academic level.
2. Identify the ICFO research group whose work aligns with your interests and, where encouraged, reach out to the group leader.
3. Prepare all required documents, including your CV, motivation letter, transcripts, and recommendation letters.
4. Submit your complete application through ICFO’s online application portal before the stated deadline.
5. Wait for the eligibility review, where applications are first checked against the basic requirements.
6. If shortlisted, take part in any additional review steps or interviews requested by the research group or committee.
7. Receive the final decision and, if successful, finalize the training agreement with your home institution.

Application Tips for ICFO Fellowship

Apply as early as possible and make sure every document is complete before the deadline, since incomplete applications are not considered. Tailor your motivation letter to the specific ICFO research group you want to join, and clearly explain how the fellowship fits your career goals. Double-check that your CV and transcripts are in English, and confirm with your home university early that they can support the required training agreement.

Deadline for the ICFO Fellowship

Deadlines for the ICFO Fellowship vary by program, since undergraduate and master’s research stays, PhD calls, and postdoctoral positions each run on their own schedule. For the undergraduate and master’s research stay fellowships, the most recently confirmed deadline was March 15, 2027, with decisions communicated to applicants by mid May 2027. Students targeting the 2028 cycle should expect a similar mid-March deadline and are strongly advised to monitor ICFO’s official jobs and fellowships page closely, since exact dates are confirmed only once each new call is officially opened.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)