Picture yourself doing cutting-edge quantum optics research in Barcelona, collaborating with top scientists, and gaining real-world experience while supported by a stipend. That’s exactly what the ICFO DigiQ Student Research Fellowships aim to offer. In this article we’ll dig into what the program is, who’s eligible, what you get, how to apply, and key dates.
- Program: Fellowship / Research Stay
- Coverage: Partially or fully funded (stipend + travel)
- Nationality: International
- Degree level: Master’s (or equivalent)
- Duration: Up to 12 months
- Host institution: ICFO, Spain
- Fields: Quantum science, photonics, nanotechnology, optics, etc.
- Deadline: Varies per call (typically rolling)
What Is the ICFO DigiQ Student Research Fellowship
ICFO (The Institute of Photonic Sciences) offers a research fellowship program under the DigiQ (Digitally Enhanced Quantum Technology) initiative. The goal is to bring in outstanding master’s students from DigiQ-partner or affiliated universities to spend time at ICFO doing a research stay or a master’s thesis project in quantum science and related areas. It’s as much about giving you exposure to a world-class lab as about advancing your own academic career.
These fellowships are not generic internships—they’re integrated into the European quantum education ecosystem via DigiQ. You’re expected to bring your own motivation, academic rigor, and curiosity. But ICFO supports you with supervision, infrastructure, and administrative help.
Purpose & Objectives
The program is designed to:
- Promote research excellence in quantum science and technology by giving early access to cutting-edge projects
- Facilitate mobility among European (and global) students within the DigiQ network
- Strengthen ties between academic training and real lab work in quantum technologies
- Nurture future leaders in quantum science by giving opportunities in an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment
In short: if you already have solid theoretical or experimental grounding and want to move into flagship projects in photonics, quantum optics, or nanotechnology, this fellowship bridges academia and research life.
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Eligible Fields & Research Areas
You won’t be restricted to just one theme. ICFO has many research groups, so your fellowship could fit into any of the following (and allied) areas:
- Quantum Optics & Quantum Information
- Quantum Communications & Cryptography
- Quantum Sensing & Metrology
- Quantum Simulation & Computation
- Nanophotonics & Quantum Nanotechnology
- Ultrafast Optics & Attosecond Science
- Light–Matter Interaction
- Condensed Matter & Quantum Materials
- Biophotonics & Biomedical Optics
- Theoretical Quantum Physics
If your academic background or interest lies in physics, quantum engineering, nanotechnology, photonics, or close domains, this fellowship is relevant.
Eligibility Criteria
You’ll need to check carefully whether you meet ICFO’s requirements. Below is a distilled version:
Must-haves:
- Be enrolled in a master’s program at a DigiQ partner or affiliated institution (or commit to joining DigiQ).
- Be eligible for doing a full-time research stay (or thesis) at ICFO for the agreed duration.
- High working proficiency in English (for scientific communication).
- Strong academic record and evidence of potential in quantum science.
- Openness to collaborate, proactive attitude, and capability to integrate in research teams.
Other notes:
- There is no restriction based on nationality, gender, or disability; ICFO operates under equal opportunity principles.
- If your home institution is in Catalonia (Spain), your stipend is lower than if it’s outside.
- Your fellowship must align with a training agreement between ICFO and your home university (this must be verifiable before the fellowship begins).
- The application is competitive: you may be asked to interview with ICFO group leaders.
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Benefits & Funding
What you receive under this fellowship is generous (for the quantum research domain), though not “all expenses covered” in the sense of housing etc. Here’s what’s included:
- Duration: Up to 12 months (depending on project and agreement).
- Monthly stipend:
• If your home institution is in Catalonia, you get €300/month (gross)
• If your home institution is outside Catalonia, you get €600/month (gross) - Travel expenses: Covered (i.e. the cost of traveling to Catalonia)
- Access to ICFO infrastructure and labs
- Mentorship and training, including access to workshops, seminars, collaboration with senior scientists
- The fellowship is compatible with Erasmus+ and CQA student mobility funding schemes, so you may combine supports
- Administrative and technical support from ICFO to help you settle in and focus on research
Keep in mind: the stipend amounts are subject to verification at the point of the call, and may sometimes be adjusted if you already have other funding.
Application Process
The application is fairly straightforward, but requires care. Here’s the typical path:
1. Prepare Documents (in English)
You will want:
- Cover / presentation letter, specifying:
• Which ICFO quantum science group(s) you prefer
• Desired duration (start & end dates)
• Your involvement in DigiQ (or your plan to join)
• Why this stay will benefit your academic and career goals - Curriculum Vitae (CV) with details of your academic history, research experience, skills
- Academic transcripts (undergraduate + master’s, if applicable)
- Contact details for at least one referee (mentor / professor)
2. Submit Online
All applications must be submitted via ICFOjobs, the online application portal. No email or hard copy submissions are allowed.
You first register (with personal details), receive a link, then you fill in the full application and upload all documents in PDF/plain text formats.
3. Review & Selection
- An initial screening verifies eligibility.
- Eligible candidates’ applications are ranked by a selection committee.
- Selected candidates undergo an interview (online or in person) with relevant ICFO group leader(s).
- If there’s a good match of project and candidate, an official fellowship offer is extended.
- Decisions are generally communicated within 2 months of your submission.
- Because calls often operate on a rolling basis, it can help to apply sooner rather than later.
Deadlines & Timeline
The exact deadlines shift with each call. ICFO typically launches two calls per year – around October and February.
- Calls open, you prepare and apply via ICFOjobs
- Selection and matching over following weeks
- Decisions within about 2 months of your application
- Fellowships proceed according to agreed dates
To avoid missing the window, it’s best to monitor ICFO’s “jobs & fellowship openings” page regularly.
Why This Fellowship Is a Strong Choice
If I were advising someone like you, here’s what I’d highlight as strengths:
- Working at ICFO gives you direct access to world-class quantum research labs and mentors
- You gain a rich international and interdisciplinary environment
- The fellowship solidly bridges theory and experiment, giving hands-on skills
- Aligns well with the European quantum community via DigiQ
- Even though the stipend isn’t huge, it’s meaningful in this domain — plus travel support makes relocation more feasible
- Because the process is rolling and repeated each year, you may get multiple chances
That said, plan carefully: your application must be strong, well written, with clear motivation and alignment with ICFO’s research agenda.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Do your homework: identify 2–3 ICFO research groups you resonate with and mention them in your cover letter
- Show your passion for quantum science: any small projects, coursework, or readings count
- Be specific in your statement: rather than vague “I want to grow,” say which techniques or problems you want to work on
- Ask a professor or mentor who knows your work to be your referee
- Double-check the training agreement rules with your home university well in advance
- Apply as early as possible rather than waiting for the deadline to avoid missing limited slots
Final Thoughts
The ICFO DigiQ Student Research Fellowships represent a rare chance for master’s students deeply interested in quantum science to join a world-class lab, gain tangible research training, and expand their scientific horizons. If your profile fits—and you’re passionate about photonics, quantum optics, or related fields—this could become a defining chapter of your academic journey.
Wishing you wisdom and confidence as you prepare your application. I hope you’ll seize this chance and make a mark in quantum science.
Find full program details and apply via ICFO’s official portal: ICFO DigiQ Student Research Fellowships Program