European Commission – REA
MSCA Staff Exchanges (SE) 2026
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MSCA Staff Exchanges funds physical secondments of researchers and professional staff between consortium members across borders for 1-12 months, with a maximum of 360 person-months per project. The call is open to academia, SMEs, and non-academic organisations at any technology readiness level and accepts consortia of at least three independent legal entities spanning three countries. This annual programme emphasizes sustained international mobility and skills transfer rather than training-centred fellowship schemes.
Details
| Funder | European Commission – REA |
| Consortium | Required — minimum 3 independent legal entities in 3 different countries, at least 2 in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries |
| Frequency | Annual |
Eligibility & scope
Staff exchange programme supporting physical secondments (no virtual secondments) between consortium members across different countries. Staff must be seconded full-time for 1–12 months; part-time secondments not allowed. Max 360 person-months per project. Open to all TRLs; SMEs, academia, and non-academic organisations eligible. Proposals accepted at any TRL.
Who Should Apply
- •Consortia of 3+ independent legal entities across 3+ countries (min. 2 in EU/Associated States)
- •Academia, SMEs, research institutes, and non-academic organisations
- •Organisations capable of hosting full-time physical secondments for 1-12 months per staff member
- •Projects at any technology readiness level
- •Applicants planning knowledge transfer and cross-border collaboration across multiple partner sites
Key Dates
- •Annual call with deadline TBA on the Funding & Tenders Portal
- •Single-stage or two-stage evaluation (confirm structure on the Funding & Tenders Portal)
- •Physical secondments last 1 to 12 months per individual within the project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓The consortium must be genuinely multi-national with independent legal entities; administrative umbrella arrangements do not satisfy the 3-country requirement.
- ✓Physical presence is mandatory, remote work or virtual secondments are explicitly ineligible; detail travel, housing, and on-site supervision clearly.
- ✓Person-month budgeting is tight at 360 per project; prioritise fewer, longer secondments over many short exchanges to strengthen training outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum secondment length in MSCA Staff Exchanges?
Staff must be seconded full-time for a minimum of 1 month and up to a maximum of 12 months per individual.
Can part-time secondments be included in MSCA Staff Exchanges?
No, part-time secondments are not permitted; all secondments must be full-time.
How many person-months can I budget in an MSCA Staff Exchanges project?
The maximum is 360 person-months per project across all secondments.
Who can form a consortium for MSCA Staff Exchanges?
A minimum of three independent legal entities in three different countries, with at least two in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
Are SMEs and industry eligible for MSCA Staff Exchanges?
Yes, SMEs, academia, non-academic organisations, and industry are all eligible at any technology readiness level.
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