MSCA Staff Exchanges promote innovative international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration in research and innovation by enabling staff exchanges and the sharing of knowledge across all stages of the innovation chain.

The objective is to support joint research and innovation projects through staff exchanges within partnerships involving universities, research infrastructures, businesses, and other socio-economic actors in Europe and beyond. These collaborations aim to build interdisciplinary, inter-sectoral (academic and non-academic) and international (EU Member States/Associated Countries and non-associated third countries) partnerships, while enabling participating staff to acquire new skills and competences.

Minimal conditions for forming an MSCA Staff Exchanges consortium

• Members: At least three independent legal entities.
• Countries: Each entity must be established in a different country; at least two must be in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
• Sectors: The consortium must include both academic and non-academic organisations.

Eligible staff include researchers at any career stage, as well as administrative, managerial, and technical personnel supporting the project’s R&I activities.

The project is implemented through secondments of staff to other beneficiaries or associated partners in different countries. Secondments between two non-associated third countries are not eligible.

After their secondment, staff must return to their sending institution to maximise knowledge transfer and support long-term collaboration.

The project should inter alia enable networking activities and the organisation of workshops and conferences, to facilitate sharing of knowledge and testing of innovative approaches for specific R&I topics.

Participating organisations must ensure that the seconded staff are adequately mentored.

Indicative timeline

• 16 December 2025: launch of the call for proposals (TBC)
• 16 April 2026: deadline for submitting proposals (TBC)
• September 2026: notification of call results to applicants (TBC)
• November 2026: grant agreement signature for successful projects (TBC)
• January 2027: first EU-funded projects start (TBC)

Indicative budget

EUR 97.92 million (TBC)

How to apply

Learn about the next steps to apply for funding under this call.

Full call details

For full details of this call, visit the call page on the EU Funding & Tenders portal.