Deadline Date: September 23, 2026
The European Commission is inviting proposals under the Horizon Europe programme to support research and innovation actions focused on attracting and retaining talented students, researchers, and high-skilled workers from outside the EU while strengthening Europe’s global competitiveness and innovation capacity.
The focus areas of this opportunity include generating policy-relevant evidence on factors influencing international talent mobility, supporting effective attraction and retention policies, improving migration pathways for skilled talent, enhancing mobility schemes, reducing administrative barriers, strengthening retention mechanisms, assessing Talent Partnerships, mobilising the professional potential of humanitarian migrants, addressing gender and disability dimensions, and promoting cooperation among higher education institutions, research organisations, industry, social partners, and non-academic organisations.
The topic recognises that Europe’s long-term economic growth, innovation, and research excellence depend not only on retaining domestic talent but also on attracting highly skilled individuals from outside the EU. Under the Union of Skills initiative adopted in March 2025, the EU aims to position itself and the European Research Area as leading destinations for tertiary students, researchers, and highly qualified professionals worldwide.
The programme highlights the need for stronger evidence on the factors influencing international students and professionals when selecting destination countries. These factors may include academic quality, career opportunities, cultural appeal, political context, funding availability, wages, quality of life, family reunification opportunities, and access to innovation ecosystems. Proposals are expected to apply rigorous quantitative methods and may complement them with qualitative and social sciences and humanities research approaches.
Projects may focus on students, researchers, and/or high-skilled workers depending on the chosen research scope. Applicants are encouraged to explore medium- and long-term strategies for retaining international talent in the EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, while also examining the effectiveness of Talent Partnerships and inclusive labour market integration policies.
The call strongly encourages collaboration among universities, research institutions, industry actors, social partners, and non-academic organisations to enhance the relevance and impact of proposed actions. Clustering and cooperation with other relevant projects are also recommended.
This opportunity falls under HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-06 – HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). The total available budget is €10 million, with expected project funding ranging between €3 million and €3.3 million. The submission process is single-stage, with applications opening on 12 May 2026 and closing on 23 September 2026.
Eligible applicants include any legal entity established in EU Member States, Associated Countries, non-associated third countries, and international organisations, provided that Horizon Europe participation conditions are met. Affiliated entities, associated partners, and certain entities without legal personality may also participate under the programme rules.
For more information, visit European Commission.
