"The Beatriu de Pinós programme (BP) has been running successfully since 2005 and aims to promote postdoctoral research and transnational mobility in all fields of research in Catalonia. The grant will be two years long and will enable outstanding junior researchers from all nationalities to train and conduct research in any Catalan excellence research group on a project of their choice. The main objectives of the BP ITHACA project are: a) to improve the quality of postdoctoral research training; b) to enable outstanding junior researchers to develop their research careers at an advanced and more independent level in a leading research group or institution in Catalonia; c) and increase the competitiveness of the Catalan scientific community and for extension the European one. The long term objective of BP-Ithaca is to significantly contribute to the career development of more researchers and qualified future independent research leaders.The Cofund contribution will be used to increase the number of fellowships and provide better career opportunities and favourable working conditions in accordance with the European Charter of Researchers. Besides high level interdisciplinary scientific research training, junior researchers will receive additional vocational training in complementary skills and a special personalize career development support will also be given during and after the grant finishes.Catalonia has fostered a successful research and knowledge hub in the south of Europe in a relatively short time and provides the postdoctoral researcher the best environment to deepen scientific skills and develop new ones.The programme is driven by AGAUR (Agency for Management of Universities and Research grants), the Catalan Government Agency responsible for awarding grants for universities and research as well as promoting research and science."