Junior Leader Breakthrough Conferences

Description and call for proposals

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  • TIMELINE

    Call launch and opening of the online system for proposal submission
    30 October 2026, at 2 pm CET

    Deadline for applications (automatic closure)
    17 December 2026, at 2 pm CET

    Evaluation and Selection of the proposals
    January–February 2027

    Resolution announcement
    March 2027

    Conference implementation period
    September 2027–June 2028

  • OVERVIEW

    The Junior Leader Breakthrough Conferences support high-level international scientific conferences led by postdoctoral researchers from the ”la Caixa” Foundation Junior Leader Fellowships Programme. The initiative aims to promote scientific excellence, international collaboration, interdisciplinary dialogue, scientific exchange and the dissemination of research results across STEM disciplines.

    Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening international networking, supporting the professional development of early-career research leaders and increasing their visibility within the global research community. Each conference may combine a high-level scientific programme with activities that foster science communication and public engagement.

  • WHO CAN APPLY?

    Postdoctoral Researchers from the ”la Caixa” Foundation Junior Leader Fellowships Programme 2024 and 2025 may submit proposals. Applicants must have an active fellowship at the time the conference is scheduled to take place. The applicant and the Host Organisation act as the principal organisers of the conference.

  • SCOPE OF THE CONFERENCE

    The conference topic must be related to the applicant’s research project while extending beyond the specific project scope to address broader scientific and societal dimensions. Conferences should focus on frontier challenges and emerging opportunities across STEM disciplines, fostering discussion around transformative discoveries, technologies and their ethical, regulatory and societal implications.

  • ORGANIZING BODIES

    Each proposal must include an Organizing Committee responsible for the scientific, organisational and outreach dimensions of the conference. The Committee is expected to ensure the scientific quality of the programme, foster international collaboration and networking, and design and implement science communication and public engagement activities associated with the conference.

  • FORMAT

    Conferences may adopt flexible formats, including keynote lectures, round tables, panel discussions, workshops and networking activities. The scientific programme should foster scientific exchange, international collaboration, interdisciplinarity and network building among researchers and other relevant experts.

    In addition, conferences may include dedicated activities aimed at strengthening connections among researchers, promoting science communication and public engagement, and facilitating dialogue between science and society.

  • VENUE

    Conferences may be held, subject to availability, at ”la Caixa” Foundation venues in Spain, including CosmoCaixa Barcelona, Cap Roig and the CaixaForum network (except CaixaForum Barcelona), or at partner venues in Portugal. Conferences must take place between September 2027 and June 2028.

  • FUNDING AND MENTORSHIP

    Selected conferences may receive funding of up to €25,000, VAT included, for the organisation and implementation of the event.

    Organizers may also benefit from tailored mentoring and professional support in the design and development of the conference’s science communication and public engagement activities.

  • CONTACT

    Questions and answers: e-mail: [email protected].

Application process

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  • APPLICATION PROCESS

    1. Applications must be submitted through the ”la Caixa” Foundation online platform via the dedicated workspace created for this call. The online application system will be open from 30 October 2026, at 14:00 CET, until 17 December 2026, at 14:00 CET.

    2. A validation button will be available during the application process to help applicants identify incomplete or incorrect information before submitting their proposal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use this feature throughout the application process and well in advance of the deadline to avoid last minute issues with your submission.

    3. Applications must be completed in English. Applications submitted in any other language, containing incomplete information or missing documentation, or submitted outside the online platform and after the deadline, will not be considered.

  • APPLICATION FORM

    Applicants will be required to provide information about the conference topic, the Organizing Committee, proposed dates and venue, motivation and expected impact, conference format, networking activities, science communication and public engagement activities, budget and a draft programme, including a preliminary list of speakers.

  • CONTACT

    Questions and answers: e-mail: [email protected] 

Selection process

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  • EVALUATION COMMITTEE

    The Evaluation Committee will be composed of up to nine experts with recognised expertise in cross-cutting biomedical and health research topics and in science communication and engagement.

    The Evaluation Committee will be responsible for evaluating the proposals and recommending those to be funded.

  • SELECTION PROCESS

    Proposals will be assessed according to the evaluation criteria defined in the Rules for Participation. For detailed information on the evaluation criteria, please download the Rules for Participation.

    1. Eligibility review (content and format) 
      Applications will first undergo an eligibility review to verify compliance with all requirements established in the Rules for Participation. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will be excluded from further evaluation. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of any such decision.

    2. Remote review and scoring
      Depending on the number of applications received, eligible proposals may undergo an individual remote review and scoring by members of the Evaluation Committee. Based on the results of this first-stage assessment, a shortlist of the highest-ranked proposals may be selected for discussion by the full Committee during the Panel Evaluation.

    3. Panel evaluation 
      The Evaluation Committee will discuss and assess the shortlisted proposals. Following the panel discussion, the Committee will establish a final ranking and recommend the proposals to be funded.

  • FINAL SELECTION

    Based on the recommendations of the Evaluation Committee, the ”la Caixa” Foundation will approve the final list of selected proposals and communicate the results to all applicants. 

    A maximum of four (4) conferences will be selected for grant funding, training and guidance.