CSIC-CESIF Agreement 2026: More Pharmaceutical Talent with Research Training

Key data

Pharmaceutical companies seeking profiles with practical training in research have a clear signal: the agreement between the CSIC and the CESIF, published on April 9, 2026, institutionalizes the connection between Spanish public research and specialized training in the pharmaceutical industry.

The agreement, formalized through the Resolution of March 30, 2026 from the Presidency of the State Agency CSIC, establishes a stable framework for the joint development of university master's programs, external academic internships and master's final projects. It is not a regulation that imposes burdens on third parties, but it does have practical consequences for those who hire talent in the sector.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement defines three lines of collaboration between CSIC and CESIF:

• University master's programs: joint development of specialized training programs in the pharmaceutical field.
• External academic internships: CESIF students can conduct their internships in CSIC facilities and projects, with academic supervision coordinated between both institutions.
• Master's final projects (TFM): final projects can be developed in the CSIC research environment, with joint evaluation.

The agreement implies academic coordination between CSIC and CESIF to supervise and evaluate participating students. This means that students not only have access to public research infrastructure, but their training is backed by the academic rigor of both institutions.

The agreement does not modify or repeal any previously identified regulation. It is a new bilateral agreement that expands the public-private collaboration ecosystem in pharmaceutical training.

Economic and operational impact

For companies in the pharmaceutical sector, the impact is not regulatory but strategic. The agreement has three relevant practical effects:

• Greater supply of qualified profiles: graduates of CESIF master's programs who have gone through CSIC arrive in the labor market with real experience in high-level research environments, something that typically required training abroad or in large private laboratories.
• Strengthening of the research ecosystem: the link between public research (CSIC) and specialized training (CESIF) creates a circuit that can accelerate knowledge transfer to industry.
• No direct costs for third parties: the agreement does not generate economic or administrative obligations for pharmaceutical companies. There are no fees, no mandatory registries, no adaptation deadlines.

The value for companies is one of opportunity, not compliance: those who pay attention to this talent flow will be able to incorporate profiles with a combination of practical training and exposure to public research that was previously less accessible in Spain.

Who does it affect?

• CESIF master's students: they are the direct beneficiaries, with access to internships and final projects in CSIC facilities.
• CSIC: provides infrastructure, research projects and academic supervision.
• CESIF (Center for Higher Studies in the Pharmaceutical Industry): coordinates the participation of its students and joint evaluation.
• Pharmaceutical companies: without direct obligations, but with greater access to profiles with practical training in public research.
• HR and recruitment departments in the pharmaceutical sector: must be aware of this new candidate profile to properly assess their training.
• Consulting firms and CROs (Contract Research Organizations): can indirectly benefit from a larger pool of talent with research experience.

Practical example

A CESIF student enrolled in a university master's program in Regulation and Access to the Pharmaceutical Market can, under this agreement, conduct their external academic internships in a CSIC laboratory or project related to drug development or preclinical trials.

During these internships, supervision is joint: CESIF ensures compliance with the academic plan and CSIC provides the real research environment. Upon completion, the final project can be developed on an active CSIC project, with evaluation coordinated between both institutions.

For a pharmaceutical company that hires this graduate, the resulting profile combines specialized training in industry (CESIF) with practical experience in reference public research (CSIC), a combination that until now was less common in the Spanish labor market.

What should companies do now?

1. Update candidate evaluation criteria: profiles from CESIF master's programs with internships at CSIC have differential practical training. Selection departments must be aware of this agreement to evaluate them correctly.
2. Contact CESIF if seeking specialized talent: the agreement strengthens CESIF's position as a source of talent with experience in public research. It is a recruitment channel to consider for R&D, regulatory or market access profiles.
3. Explore indirect collaboration opportunities: although the agreement is bilateral between CSIC and CESIF, companies in the sector can explore whether there are ways to participate in projects or internships linked to this ecosystem.
4. Do not perform any compliance actions: the agreement does not generate obligations for third parties. There are no deadlines, registries or regulatory adaptations required for pharmaceutical companies.

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