The UR announces ATUR grants for doctoral theses with 25,000 euros

The Vice-Rector for Scientific Policy of the University of La Rioja, Eduardo Fonseca Pedrero, signed on October 30 the resolution calling for ATUR grants for the completion of doctoral theses, funded by Santander Universidades. The summary is published in the Official Gazette of La Rioja no. 214, corresponding to Thursday, November 5, 2026, in section III (Other Provisions and Acts), with the secure verification code BOR-A-20261105-III–4165 and file number III.4165. The call is registered in the National Grants Database under number BDNS 939490.

The objective is “to support the work of doctoral students leading to the completion of a doctoral thesis at the University of La Rioja.” The call is based on articles 17.3.b and 20.8.a of Law 38/2003, of November 17, General Law on Subsidies, and its regulatory bases are Resolution 629/2021, of May 10, of the Rector of the University of La Rioja, which orders the publication of the bases for the calls for grants for the completion of doctoral theses. The full text is available on the website of the Research Management Service, within the section of the 2026 own R&D&i plan.

Who can apply for the grant

Graduates who fall into any of the following categories may apply for the call:

• Non-doctoral professors of the University of La Rioja.
• Non-doctoral researchers of the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ICVV) who appear on the center’s personnel list as of December 31, 2025.
• Predoctoral hires for the training of research personnel regulated by Royal Decree 103/2019, of March 1, which approves the Statute of predoctoral research personnel in training.
• Hires funded by research projects.

In all cases, the beneficiaries must carry out research activity aimed at the completion of their doctoral thesis in a department of the University of La Rioja or at the ICVV.

An allocation of 25,000 euros

The allocation assigned to the contract subject to the call is 25,000 euros, an amount borne by Santander Universidades. The summary mentions a single allocation for one contract, meaning the 2026 call is resolved with a single predoctoral incorporation within the own plan of the Riojan public university.

The deadline for submitting applications is 20 calendar days starting from the day following the publication of the summary in the Official Gazette of La Rioja and on the university’s website. With the publication on November 5, the count begins on November 6 and concludes on November 25, 2026.

How to submit the application

Requests are channeled electronically and through a double procedure:

• Submission via the General Request procedure of the Electronic Office of the University of La Rioja.
• Prior online registration on the Santander Open Academy platform (santanderopenacademy.com).
• The application forms, available on the university website, must be duly completed and addressed to the Vice-Rector for Scientific Policy.

Private funding for the own plan

The call is part of the University of La Rioja’s own R&D&i plan for 2026 and combines funds from a private financial entity with the general grant framework of Law 38/2003. The publication of the summary in the official bulletin and its registration in the National Grants Database under number BDNS 939490 guarantee the publicity and competitiveness of the procedure, essential requirements for the grant to be awarded.

The impact is direct for the researchers in training at the Riojan public university: the grant covers the predoctoral hiring of those who have not yet defended their thesis, a group that usually depends on projects and competitive calls to continue their research career. Funding from Santander Universidades additionally adds a complementary training itinerary through its open platform.

Source: Official Bulletin of La Rioja, no. 214, November 5, 2026, section III (Other Provisions and Acts), pp. 18812-18813 (official reference: BOR-A-20261105-III–4165).