MSCA Staff Exchanges fund short-term secondments of staff between partner organisations working together on a joint research and innovation project.

Projects bring together organisations from the academic and non-academic sectors, including companies and SMEs. Through temporary placements in partner organisations, staff gain new knowledge, share expertise and develop innovative approaches to common challenges.

For industry, the scheme offers a structured framework to collaborate with research partners while contributing directly to applied innovation.

Projects are expected to support both skills development and innovation outcomes. Staff participating in exchanges benefit from new technical and transferable skills, exposure to different working environments, and expanded professional networks.

For participating organisations, projects can help to:

• strengthen collaboration between industry and research organisations

• develop innovative products, processes or services

• increase research and innovation capacity through knowledge transfer

• build long-term international partnerships.

MSCA Staff Exchanges typically have success rates between 20 and 40 per cent, which makes the scheme one of the more accessible entry points for organisations interested in participating in Horizon Europe research and innovation projects.

Further details about the call, including eligibility and application conditions, are available on the European Commission Funding and Tenders Portal:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-msca-2026-se-01-01

The European Research Executive Agency (REA) has also published an information session consisting of short videos explaining the objectives of the programme and how organisations can participate.