The Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona has opened its 2027 international PhD call, and if you are finishing a Master's in the life sciences, this is one of the most generous PhD offers in Europe. You do not get a small stipend here — you get a real four-year employment contract with a competitive salary, full health and occupational insurance, and enrolment in the Spanish Social Security system. Around 19 positions are on the table across 15 research labs, from single-cell genomics and RNA biology to synthetic biology and neurobiology. With the deadline of 22 November 2026 approaching fast, now is the time to shortlist your two labs and get your referees lined up.
In short: The CRG International PhD Programme 2027 offers fully funded, four-year salaried PhD contracts at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona, Spain. It is open to candidates of all nationalities holding a Master's (or 300 ECTS equivalent). Applications close on 22 November 2026.
Quick Overview
- Host Country: Spain
- Host Institution: Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB)
- Degree Level: PhD (Doctoral)
- Program Duration: 4 years (annual work contract, PhD start no later than October 2027)
- Funding Type: Fully funded — salaried employment contract
- Deadline: 22 November 2026 (exact closing time not stated on the official page — submit well before the date)
Benefits of the CRG International PhD Programme
A PhD at CRG is employment, not just a scholarship. Here is what the official call promises selected fellows:
- Four-year salaried contract — an annual work contract with a competitive salary for four years, following Spanish national regulations.
- Full health insurance — complete health coverage for the entire duration of the PhD.
- Full occupational insurance — workplace/accident coverage included as part of the employment contract.
- Spanish Social Security enrolment — you are a registered employee, with all the protections that brings.
- Paid in-person interviews — shortlisted candidates are invited to Barcelona for interviews from 23 to 26 February 2027, with flights and accommodation covered.
- World-class research environment — access to first-class core technologies, seminars from high-profile invited speakers, and structured training in complementary and transferable skills.
A note on honesty: the official page does not publish a salary figure, so treat any number you see on third-party blogs with caution. What is certain is that it is a salaried contract, not a flat grant.
Eligibility Criteria for the CRG International PhD Programme
Per the official 2027 call text, you must meet all of the following at the application deadline:
- All nationalities welcome — there is no nationality restriction; candidates from Pakistan and everywhere else are equally eligible.
- Qualifying degree — a Bachelor's plus a Master's (minimum 300 ECTS) in biomedical sciences or a related field, or an equivalent degree that allows PhD entry in Spain. Candidates who expect to obtain the degree before the PhD starts may apply.
- Excellent academic record — selection is based on academic qualifications and research excellence, so strong grades and research experience matter.
- English proficiency — CRG's working language is English; you need a high working knowledge of it.
- Not previously interviewed — candidates invited to previous CRG PhD call interviews are not eligible.
- No current CRG Master's students — candidates currently doing their Master's at CRG cannot apply.
- Three-month rule — anyone who has worked at the CRG for more than 3 months before the deadline is ineligible.
How to Apply for the CRG International PhD Programme
Applications are accepted exclusively through CRG's online application system — no email applications are considered. Follow these steps:
1. Read the official call text on the CRG 2027 page and study the participating labs and their projects. 2. Choose up to two labs on the application form — this is the core of your application, so pick projects that genuinely match your research background. 3. Register on the online application portal and fill in your general information, education details, scholarships and prizes, research experience, and scientific interests. 4. Enter your referees early — two reference letters are requested automatically from the referees you propose through the system, and they must arrive before the deadline. Warn your referees in advance. 5. Upload your transcripts (with translations if they are not in English, Spanish, or Catalan). 6. Write your application in English — all proposals must be submitted in English. 7. Submit before 22 November 2026 — once submitted, you will automatically receive an acknowledgement of receipt by email.
Tip: CRG's Training and Academic Office is running free online application workshops on 1 October 2026 (3 pm CET), 21 October 2026 (10 am CET), and 12 November 2026 (11 am CET). Registration is required — attending is one of the smartest things an applicant can do.
Required Documents
- Online application form (general information, education, research experience, scientific interests)
- Academic transcripts (translated if not in English, Spanish, or Catalan)
- Two reference letters (requested automatically through the system — they must arrive before the deadline)
- Details of scholarships, prizes, and awards
CRG International PhD Programme Deadline
Applications for the CRG International PhD Programme 2027 close on 22 November 2026. The selection timeline after that: pre-selection based on the application, references, interests, and lab fit; online panel interviews on 13 January 2027; in-person interviews in Barcelona from 23 to 26 February 2027 with travel covered; offers shortly after; and the PhD must start no later than October 2027. Miss the November deadline and this call is gone — the next annual call would be for 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CRG PhD really fully funded?
Yes. It is a four-year salaried employment contract with full health and occupational insurance and Spanish Social Security enrolment. There is no tuition fee to pay as a PhD student in this structure — you are hired as a researcher.
Who can apply — is it open to non-Europeans?
Yes, applications are open to candidates of all nationalities, including Pakistan. The only nationality-related condition is that your degree must qualify you for PhD studies in Spain.
How many positions are available in 2027?
Around 19 positions across 15 labs, according to the official call. Up to 5 fellowships are funded by MICIU/AEI and FSE+, while the remaining positions are funded by the labs themselves through ERC grants, CRG core funding, and research projects.
Can I choose more than one lab?
You can choose up to two research labs on the application form. The labs offering positions include groups working on genome regulation, single-cell biology, RNA modifications, 3D genomics, synthetic biology, cancer, neuroscience, and mitochondria, among others.
Do I need to contact a lab head before applying?
It is not required, but it is a sensible move — briefly contacting the group leader of your target lab to express interest and check fit is commonly recommended by successful applicants.
Is IELTS or any English test required?
The official call requires a high working knowledge of English, which is the institute's working language. No specific test score requirement is stated in the call text, but your English must be strong enough for interviews and daily lab work.
What if I have not finished my Master's yet?
You can apply if you expect to obtain the qualifying degree before the PhD starts (no later than October 2027). Your final degree must meet the 300 ECTS requirement for PhD entry in Spain.
Why did I not get selected last year — can I reapply?
You can reapply in a new call only if you were not invited to interviews previously. Candidates who reached the interview stage in a previous call are explicitly ineligible.
I'm a Bachelor's or Master's student, not ready for a PhD. Is there a CRG option for me?
Yes. The separate CRG Research Training Program 2027 offers undergraduate and Master's students up to four months of research experience in Barcelona with a €700/month gross stipend and travel support (up to €1,000 for non-European flights). Its deadline is 31 December 2026.
Where do I get help if I have questions about the call?
Contact the CRG Training & Academic Office at training@crg.eu. The official 2027 call page also hosts an FAQ (PDF) with detailed answers.
Final Words
A salaried four-year PhD at one of Europe's best genomics institutes, in Barcelona, with no nationality restrictions — the CRG call is genuinely competitive, but it is also genuinely worth the effort. Pick your two labs carefully, brief your referees early, and submit before the deadline rather than at it.
