EUROPEAN CIRCULAR TALENT LAB
CALL OPEN!
A 3-month innovation experience in Spain
Are you ready to shape the future of packaging and the circular economy?
The European Circular Talent Lab (ECTL) is an international innovation programme promoted by TheCircularLab – Ecoembes, designed to bring together young European talents who want to learn by doing, create real impact and collaborate in an international, multidisciplinary environment.
What is the European Circular Talent Lab?
The European Circular Talent Lab is an intensive 3-month innovation experience that will take place in Logroño (La Rioja, Spain) from mid-September to mid-December 2026.
Six young talents from different European countries will work together on real challenges in the packaging and sustainability sector, applying circular economy principles alongside professionals, expert mentors and other international profiles.
This is not a theoretical programme.
It is about learning, experimenting and creating solutions with real impact.
What will you experience?
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An international experience in Spain
Live and work in Logroño while collaborating with young talents from across Europe.
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Real projects, real impact
Co-create practical solutions for circular economy and packaging challenges, from idea to prototype.
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Expert mentoring
Learn directly from professionals who will guide and challenge you throughout the programme.
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Multidisciplinary teamwork
Be part of a diverse group of 6 participants from different academic and cultural backgrounds.
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Hands-on innovation
Work with design thinking and agile methodologies in a real innovation environment.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for motivated young people who want to learn, contribute and generate impact.
You may apply if you are:
• A final-year undergraduate student
• A recent graduate
• A Master’s or PhD student
• A young professional at an early stage of your career
Backgrounds may include (but are not limited to):
• Engineering (industrial, environmental, etc.)
• Product or industrial design
• Business, management or marketing
• Public policy
• Social sciences
• Any field related to sustainability or circular economy
What matters most is your motivation, curiosity and willingness to collaborate.
Programme format
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Location: Logroño, La Rioja (Spain)
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Duration: 3 months
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When: from mid-September to mid-December 2026
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Participants: 6 selected European talents
Participants will work full-time at TheCircularLab, an innovation hub dedicated to circular economy and packaging.
Erasmus+ mobility – Important information
Participation in the European Circular Talent Lab is linked to Erasmus+ mobility.
Before applying, you must confirm that:
• Your university or institution participates in the Erasmus+ programme
• You are eligible for Erasmus+ mobility through your home institution
• Your university or institution can manage the mobility process if you are selected
• You have contacted your institution to confirm that you meet their requirements
Submitting the application form does not guarantee final eligibility, which must be validated by your sending institution according to its own criteria.
Watch the programme in action
Get a quick overview of the experience, the participants and the type of projects developed in Circular Talent Lab:
Download the programme brochure
Find detailed information about:
• Programme structure
• Profiles sought
• Areas of work
• Benefits for participants
REGISTRATION
Send us your application form by April 15th, 2026.
Apply now in this LINK
CONTACT
For any questions, please contact us at:
thecircularlab@ecoembes.com / info@premiumresearch.es
+34 682 61 84 58 | WhatsApp available
PROMOTER
This initiative is promoted by TheCircularLab-Ecoembes in collaboration with the managing company Premium Research.
EVALUATION OF CANDIDATES
Candidates who apply will be assessed by an Evaluation Committee composed of members of TheCircularLab-Ecoembes responsible for managing the Circular Talent Labs initiative.
The evaluation process will be carried out in several stages:
1- Evaluation of application forms received.
2- Shortlisting of candidates.
3- Online interviews with shortlisted candidates.
4- Pre-selection of final candidates and establishment of a reserve list.
5- Signature of each Erasmus+ learning agreement between the sending organisation, TheCircularLab-Ecoembes, and the student.
The signature of the learning agreements is expected to take place in July 2026.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Is there any cost to participate?
No. The application and participation in the programme are free of charge.
Participants selected through Erasmus+ mobility will receive an Erasmus+ grant managed by their sending organisation.
Please note that the Erasmus+ grant may not cover all personal or living expenses during the mobility period. For detailed information on amounts and conditions, participants should contact their sending organisation directly.
What expenses are covered?
Participation in the programme is linked to Erasmus+ mobility.
Through your sending organisation (such as a university or training centre), you may receive an Erasmus+ grant that typically covers:
• Travel costs.
• A monthly allowance to support living expenses during the mobility period.
For specific amounts and conditions, please contact your sending organisation directly.
What is a sending institution?
A sending institution is the organisation through which you apply for and manage your Erasmus+ mobility.
It is typically a university, higher education institution or training centre that:
• Confirms your eligibility for Erasmus+ mobility.
• Approves your participation in the programme.
• Manages the Erasmus+ grant and administrative procedures.
Before applying to the European Circular Talent Lab, you should contact your sending institution to confirm that you meet their requirements and that they can support your participation.
Once this is confirmed, you may submit your application form to us.
Who manages the Erasmus+ grant?
The Erasmus+ grant is managed exclusively by your sending organisation (your university or training institution), according to its internal rules and Erasmus+ regulations.
Do I need to have Erasmus+ eligibility before applying?
Yes. Before applying, you must ensure that:
• Your sending organisation participates in the Erasmus+ programme.
• You are eligible for Erasmus+ mobility under their criteria.
Final eligibility must be confirmed by your sending organisation.
Can I apply if I am no longer a student?
Yes, provided that you are eligible for Erasmus+ mobility through your sending organisation (for example, as a recent graduate, depending on your institution’s rules).
Where will the programme take place?
The programme will take place in Logroño (La Rioja, Spain) at TheCircularLab, an innovation centre focused on circular economy and packaging.
What language will the programme be conducted in?
The working language of the programme will be English.
When will the European Circular Talent Lab take place?
The European Circular Talent Lab will take place from mid-September to mid-December 2026.
How many participants will be selected?
A total of 6 European talents will be selected for this edition of the programme.
What could be my role in the Lab?
Selected participants will work together in Logroño for a period of three months, collaborating on a real technical challenge of social relevance in the fields of recycling, packaging and the circular economy, proposed by TheCircularLab.
Participants will work full-time (Monday to Friday, eight hours per day) in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment alongside the other selected talents, with the objective of exploring, developing and proposing practical solutions with real impact.
Who organises the European Circular Talent Lab and what are the organisations behind it?
TheCircularLab is the European innovation centre for the circular economy located in Logroño (Spain), with a strong focus on packaging, where companies, startups, researchers and institutions work together to develop and test circular solutions.
Ecoembes is the organisation responsible in Spain for managing a national system for the separate collection and recycling of household packaging, through the yellow bin (lightweight packaging) and the blue bin (paper and cardboard). Ecoembes is the owner of TheCircularLab, its innovation centre specialised in the circular economy.
Premium Research is an innovation company supporting TheCircularLab-Ecoembes to manage this initiative.
