The latest call under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges has drawn significant global attention, with 416 proposals submitted before the 16 April 2026 deadline

The MSCA Staff Exchange 2026 call is funded through Horizon Europe, and continues to attract a growing number of applicants seeking to collaborate across borders and sectors on innovative research projects.

This year’s submissions have increased from 2025, when 363 proposals were received. With applicants requesting a combined budget of approximately €482.4 million, demand for the programme far exceeds the available funding. The European Union is expected to support between 80 and 90 projects, backed by an indicative budget of €97.9 million.

Global collaboration

The MSCA Staff Exchange 2026 call shows the international scope of the MSCA Staff Exchanges scheme.

A total of 3,052 organisations from 152 countries are involved in the submitted proposals, underlining the programme’s role in fostering worldwide research partnerships. Around 13% of participating organisations are small and medium-sized enterprises, reflecting strong engagement from the private sector alongside academic institutions.

Coordination of proposals covers 29 countries, with Spain leading the way with 72 submissions, followed by Italy with 65 and the United Kingdom with 55. Other highly active countries include Greece, France, and Poland.

Driving innovation

The Staff Exchanges scheme is designed to promote short-term exchanges of research and innovation staff between organisations in different countries and sectors.

These exchanges are not limited to academia but extend to industry and SMEs, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge transfer.

Participants benefit from exposure to new research environments, gaining skills and insights that enhance their career development. At the same time, organisations strengthen their research capacity and expand their international networks, contributing to long-term innovation.

Timeline for evaluation and results

The evaluation process for the MSCA Staff Exchange 2026 call is set to take place between April and June 2026.

Applicants can expect to receive results in July, followed by the preparation of grant agreements between September and December. Successful projects are anticipated to begin in January 2027.

The 2026 call coincides with a major milestone for the MSCA programme, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Over the past three decades, the initiative has supported more than 150,000 researchers worldwide, including 23 Nobel Prize winners.

The programme has played a big role in advancing European research and innovation by encouraging mobility across disciplines, sectors, and countries. It has also helped position Europe as a global hub for scientific excellence.