Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of June 24, 2026, from the Carlos III Health Institute, publishing the Agreement with the Spanish Foundation for Medical Oncology |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 3, 2026 |
| Entry into force | June 24, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Specialists in medical oncology who have completed specialized health training |
| Category | Education / Health research |
| Total funding | €680,000 (FSEOM contribution over 4 years) |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-14493 |
Specialists in medical oncology who have completed their specialized health training have had, since June 24, 2026, a new funding channel to develop research projects. The agreement between the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) and the Spanish Foundation for Medical Oncology (FSEOM), published in the BOE of July 3, 2026, formalizes co-financing of €680,000 distributed over four years for two differentiated aid lines.
The key to this agreement is that it expands access to research contracts for oncologists who, having passed ISCIII technical evaluation, did not obtain ordinary funding due to budget constraints. FSEOM acts as a complementary funder and direct manager of payments to beneficiary centers.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement articulates two distinct funding lines, with specific conditions and recipients for each:
| Aid line | Total amount | Annual amount | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEOM-Río Hortega Contracts | €520,000 | €130,000 | Candidates favorably evaluated by ISCIII but not funded in ordinary call |
| SEOM-Juan Rodés Grants | €160,000 | €40,000 | Best candidate from Juan Rodés Contracts to develop a research project |
The division of responsibilities between the parties is clear:
- ISCIII: conducts technical evaluation of candidates and contract monitoring.
- FSEOM: manages and pays directly to beneficiary centers. Provides 100% of funding for both lines.
Selected beneficiaries will receive the same treatment as ordinary contractors of the Strategic Health Action, which also allows them to access Juan Rodés calls and mobility grants.
Economic and operational impact
FSEOM's contribution amounts to €680,000 over four years, distributed in annual payments of €170,000 (€130,000 for Río Hortega + €40,000 for Juan Rodés). This private-public co-financing model expands the number of available research contracts without increasing ISCIII's public budget.
For beneficiary research centers, the operational impact is direct: they receive funding to incorporate or maintain a specialist in medical oncology in research projects, with the guarantee that management and payment are handled by FSEOM. There is no additional intermediation or extra bureaucracy for the receiving center.
For selected researchers, access to these grants is equivalent to obtaining funding for a complete research contract, with the same conditions and rights as those contracted through ordinary ISCIII channels, including access to future Juan Rodés calls and mobility grants.
Who does it affect?
- Specialists in medical oncology who have completed their specialized health training (MIR) and want to develop a research career.
- Candidates for Río Hortega contracts who have been favorably evaluated by ISCIII but have not obtained ordinary funding due to budget limitations.
- Candidates for Juan Rodés contracts who apply for the best position in the medical oncology field.
- Research centers that host beneficiaries and receive funding directly from FSEOM.
- Hospitals and oncology units linked to cancer research projects that can act as receiving centers.
Practical example
A specialist in medical oncology who has just completed their MIR residency applies for the ISCIII Río Hortega Contracts call. They pass technical evaluation with a sufficient score to be funded, but fall outside ordinary funding due to budget constraints (for example, they rank 11th when only 10 positions are funded by ISCIII).
Thanks to the ISCIII-FSEOM agreement, this candidate can be proposed by FSEOM for one of the two co-financed Río Hortega contracts. If selected, their host center will receive €130,000 annually directly from FSEOM for the duration of the contract. Additionally, the researcher will have access to future Juan Rodés calls and mobility grants, exactly as if they had obtained ordinary ISCIII funding.
What should interested parties do now?
- Verify compliance with the main requirement: having completed specialized health training in medical oncology. Without this requirement, access to either line is not possible.
- Identify the applicable call: determine whether the profile fits better in Río Hortega Contracts (for researchers who have already been favorably evaluated by ISCIII without obtaining funding) or Juan Rodés Contracts (for the best candidate in that call).
- Prepare the candidacy for ISCIII calls: since technical evaluation is conducted by ISCIII, the first step is to participate in ordinary calls. FSEOM proposes candidates based on that evaluation.
- Contact FSEOM or the reference research center to learn about the candidate proposal procedure and specific deadlines for each call.
- Ensure that the receiving center is in a position to receive funding directly from FSEOM, as this entity manages and pays beneficiary centers.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does FSEOM contribute in the 2026 ISCIII-SEOM agreement?
SEOM Foundation contributes a total of €680,000 distributed over four years: €520,000 (€130,000/year) for two Río Hortega contracts and €160,000 (€40,000/year) for the Juan Rodés grant intended for the best candidate in that call.
Who can apply for SEOM-Río Hortega contracts?
Specialists in medical oncology who have completed their specialized health training and who have been favorably evaluated in the ISCIII Río Hortega Contracts call, but who have not obtained ordinary funding due to budget limitations, can apply. FSEOM proposes candidates based on that ISCIII technical evaluation.
Who pays the beneficiaries: ISCIII or FSEOM?
FSEOM manages and pays directly to beneficiary centers. ISCIII is exclusively responsible for technical evaluation of candidates and contract monitoring. Selected researchers receive the same treatment as ordinary contractors of the Strategic Health Action.
Can beneficiaries of these contracts access other ISCIII grants?
Yes. Selected beneficiaries receive the same treatment as ordinary contractors of the Strategic Health Action, which allows them to access Juan Rodés calls and mobility grants from ISCIII under the same conditions as other ordinary contractors.
When did this agreement enter into force?
The agreement entered into force on June 24, 2026, the date of the ISCIII resolution. Its publication in the BOE occurred on July 3, 2026 (reference BOE-A-2026-14493).
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-14493