The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges (SE) 2026 call is now open, with a budget of €97.9 million and a deadline for applications of 16 April 2026 (4pm UK time).
The MSCA SE aims to promote international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration in research and innovation through staff exchanges.
Who can apply?
The consortium must include at least three legal entities from three different countries, of which two of them must be located in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries. In addition, organisations from any country in the world can participate. It must include both academic and non-academic organisations.
Secondments
Secondments foster cooperation among the participating organisation. Secondments can last between one and 12 months, and can be international, intersectoral or interdisciplinary.
Elegible staff can be researchers at any career stage, including PhD candidates, as well as administrative, technical or managerial staff involved in R&I activities.
Novelties in the 2026 call
- Same-sector secondments are now allowed
- Removing the previous one-third limit tied to interdisciplinarity
- Strongly encouraging international cooperation
- Removing the former “one-month rule” before the first secondment
- Proposals should clearly describe how planned international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary secondments will expose seconded staff to different skills, working cultures or career paths.
Information webinar
The UK MSCA National Contact Point (NCP) will soon be hosting a free information webinar on the MSCA Staff Exchanges 2026 call, which will provide potential applicants with a comprehensive overview of the scheme and how to apply. Further details to follow in the new year.
Find out more about how to apply to this call, including the 6-step guide and the Guide for Applicants. Our dedicated factsheets can also help you to become familiar with the main aspects of the new calls.
Contact us if you have any questions.
Last updated: 18 December 2025