CNIO Summer Training Programme 2026 for Undergraduate Students in Spain
Country: Spain
City: Madrid
Organization: Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)
Category: Summer Training Programme
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Duration: June 29 to August 21, 2026 (8 weeks)
The Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) is accepting applications for its 2026 Summer Training Programme for undergraduate students. The programme is intended for students enrolled in Biomedical or Life Sciences degree programmes or related fields. CNIO states that the training will take place in Madrid, Spain.
Programme Scope
According to the call, up to 4 summer training positions will be awarded in 2026 to university students from any country. The undergraduate students must be studying Biomedical and Life Sciences or related fields.
Training Period
CNIO states that the practical training will run from June 29 to August 21, 2026. The programme lasts 8 weeks, includes 300 working hours, and requires a full-time commitment of 37.5 hours per week. Students are also required to participate in all scheduled activities.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must have passed at least two-thirds of the total credit points required for a Life Sciences or Biomedicine-related undergraduate degree in any country. They must also maintain undergraduate student status throughout the full programme period.
CNIO further requires candidates to have an excellent academic record with a GPA above 0.75, calculated with the applicant’s GPA as the numerator and the highest possible GPA as the denominator. A good knowledge of English is also required.
To remain eligible, applicants must be available for the full period from June 29 to August 21, 2026. The call states that those who cannot be at CNIO during this period will not be eligible for the programme.
Selection
The positions are awarded on a competitive basis. CNIO says the evaluation takes into account the student’s academic records and motivation letter. In cases of equal merit, students in their final year of studies will be given preference.
Selected applicants will be notified by email, and the results will also be published on the programme webpage.
Training Format
Each student will work under the supervision of a group, section, or unit leader, or a member of the research group. Participants will also attend weekly seminars delivered by CNIO faculty members and researchers. At the end of the programme, students will be required to present the results of their research in a special session.
The call also states that participation implies acceptance of CNIO’s internal regulations and the rules of the assigned group, unit, and research programme, as well as the timetable and practical programme outlined by the supervisor. English is the working language.
Available Groups
The 2026 call lists 4 available posts. Two positions are in the Organ crosstalk in metabolic diseases Group led by Guadalupe Sabio, one is in the Topology and DNA Breaks Group led by Felipe Cortés, and one is in the Brain Metastasis Group led by Manuel Valiente.
Financial and Practical Support
CNIO states that it will cover one return ticket from the student’s hometown to Madrid. During the summer training programme, breakfasts and lunches at the centre’s cafeteria will be subsidized.
Students will also be covered by personal accident insurance during their stay at CNIO. In addition, citizens from countries that do not issue the European Health Card will receive private health insurance and repatriation insurance, unless they are already covered by valid health insurance for the whole summer stay.
The call also makes clear that participation in the programme does not imply any kind of contractual agreement between the selected candidates and CNIO. Upon completion, CNIO will issue a certificate indicating the participant’s area of training.
Application Process
The application deadline is March 31, 2026.
The online form asks applicants to provide personal information, academic details, English level, degree programme, university, average grade, maximum possible grade, total credits, approved credits, and up to three preferred groups or units in order of preference. The form also asks for a description of laboratory internships completed outside the degree, a brief statement of interest, and any other relevant information. Applicants must upload a CV in pdf, doc, docx, or rtf format with a maximum size of 1 MB.
CNIO states that only shortlisted candidates will later be asked by email to send two letters of recommendation, a copy of an official academic transcript stating the number of credits passed, a copy of the national identity card or passport, proof of valid health insurance for the whole stay, and the NIE or visa required for legal stay in Spain.
