What is the MSCA Staff Exchanges program?
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges program is a cornerstone of Europe’s research funding landscape. It enables researchers and staff from higher education institutions, research organizations, and enterprises to exchange knowledge and drive collaboration across borders. The 2026 call reinforces Europe’s commitment to fostering international mobility, skills development, and high-impact research across disciplines.
Key details of the 2026 call
The European Commission announced the MSCA Staff Exchanges 2026 call, with a total budget of €97.9 million. The program opens for submission on 16 December 2025, and applicants must prepare to submit by the deadline on 16 April 2026. This timeline gives participating institutions and researchers a window to craft competitive proposals that align with EU research priorities and broader goals for knowledge transfer.
Who can apply?
Eligible participants typically include researchers and staff employed by participating organizations in EU Member States and associated countries. Applicants can be universities, research centers, and non-academic partners such as industry or public sector bodies. The program emphasizes cross-border exchanges, secondments, and joint supervision arrangements that facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills.
What does the funding cover?
Funding supports exchange activities that pair researchers from different organizations, enabling them to work in another country for a defined period. This can include stages of research, training, and knowledge-sharing activities. The grants are designed to strengthen the professional growth of researchers, expand networks, and enhance the research and innovation capacity of participating organizations.
Why MSCA Staff Exchanges matter for researchers
The program offers a unique opportunity to develop technical and transferable skills, from project management and experimental methods to leadership and entrepreneurship. Researchers gain exposure to different research cultures and infrastructures, which can accelerate career progression and improve research impact. For organizations, these exchanges help build international collaborations, diversify skill sets, and access new facilities or expertise.
How to prepare a competitive proposal
Applicants should begin by mapping alignment with EU research priorities, including excellence in science, ethical research practices, and impact pathways. Key elements to consider include:
– Clear objectives for the staff exchange, including expected outcomes and knowledge transfer goals
– Strong partnerships with at least two organizations from different eligible countries
– A detailed work plan outlining secondments, supervision arrangements, and training activities
– A robust dissemination and impact strategy to maximize research uptake
Impact and expected outcomes
Successful MSCA Staff Exchanges projects are expected to deliver tangible benefits, such as new research alliances, joint publications, skilled researchers ready to contribute to industry and academia, and broader knowledge exchange that strengthens European research infrastructures. The €97.9 million budget signals a strong commitment to mobility, collaboration, and the cultivation of a competitive European research ecosystem.
Practical tips for applicants
1) Start early: gather partner commitments and draft a clear secondment plan. 2) Align with the program’s emphasis on scientific excellence and impact. 3) Build a coherent budget that justifies each exchange activity. 4) Ensure compliance with ethical standards and data protection rules. 5) Leverage national contact points for guidance and feedback before submission.
What comes next?
After the submission deadline in April 2026, evaluators will review proposals based on excellence, impact, and implementation. Successful projects can begin in the 2026-2027 academic year, with ongoing opportunities for researchers to engage in international mobility throughout Europe and associated countries. For institutions seeking to elevate their research capacity, the MSCA Staff Exchanges 2026 call represents a vital funding avenue.
