[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 23, 2026

€3,000,000–€3,300,000 per project (lump sum); 3 projects expected to be funded

Funds research to generate evidence and policy guidance on attracting and retaining talented students, researchers, and high-skilled workers from outside the EU.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA) supports projects that investigate the factors influencing the mobility and retention of students, researchers, and high-skilled workers from non-EU countries in the EU. The aim is to provide robust, policy-relevant evidence and actionable recommendations for policymakers and higher education/research institutions to develop effective strategies for attracting and retaining international talent. The scope includes rigorous quantitative and qualitative research into decision-making processes, the effectiveness of retention policies, and the mobilisation of humanitarian migrants’ professional potential. Projects are expected to address gender and disability dimensions and may focus on specific groups (students, researchers, or high-skilled workers). Collaboration with higher education institutions, industry, and social partners is strongly encouraged. --- ## Due Dates - Full application deadline: September 23, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Expected EU contribution per project: €3,000,000–€3,300,000 (lump sum) - Total indicative budget for this topic: €10,000,000 - Number of projects expected to be funded: 3 - Funding covers 100% of eligible costs as a lump sum; see the [Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) for details. --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium requirements:** At least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country; at least one must be established in an EU Member State. - **Eligible countries:** EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and additional countries as listed in [Annex B of the General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf). - **Who can apply:** Any legal entity (universities, research organisations, public or private bodies, including international organisations) established in an eligible country. - **Special notes:** The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium (zero funding or as an associated partner), but will not participate in proposal preparation or submission. - **Exclusions:** Projects must focus exclusively on civil applications. Entities subject to EU sanctions or restrictions are ineligible. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-06?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=6&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) before the deadline. - **Format:** Use the standard [application form (HE RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) and follow instructions in the [Online Manual](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/om_en.pdf). - **Page limit:** 50 pages for Part B (technical description) for lump sum RIAs. - **Detailed budget:** Submission of a detailed budget table is mandatory (template available in the Submission System). - **Evaluation:** Proposals are evaluated on excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation by independent experts. See [evaluation form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-ria-ia_en.pdf). - **Key documents:** Refer to the [Work Programme 2026-2027 – Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-5-culture-creativity-and-inclusive-society_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) and [General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - **Gender and disability:** Proposals must address gender and disability dimensions in research design and analysis. - **Focus areas:** Applicants may focus on students, researchers, or high-skilled workers as distinct groups. - **Collaboration:** Partnerships with higher education institutions, research organisations, industry, and social partners are encouraged. - **Open science:** Data produced must be FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). - **Ethics:** All projects must comply with the highest ethical standards and applicable laws. An ethics self-assessment is required as part of the application. --- ## External Links - [Full Topic Details & Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-06?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=6&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Work Programme 2026-2027 – Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-5-culture-creativity-and-inclusive-society_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [General Annexes 2026-2027](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/om_en.pdf) - [Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) - [National Contact Points (NCPs)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Point | Details | |-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder General Contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | ---

Making Europe a global magnet for talent - Attracting and retaining students, researchers and high-skilled workers from outside the EU

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