EU funds 15 new mobility projects to support career building and employability for researchers

Part of the Horizon Europe: Widening participation and spreading excellence, the ERA Talents action aims to boost cross-sectoral talent mobility and academia-business collaboration for knowledge transfer in Widening countries.

The latest ERA Talents call for proposals closed on 26 September 2024. Out of 117 proposals submitted, the best 15 projects were selected for funding. The Grant Agreements were signed in 2025, with a foreseen duration of up to 4 years.

Compared to the first edition of the ERA Talents call in 2022, the interest in the 2024 funding opportunity increased by more than seven times (16 vs 117 proposals), given its relevant topics - research careers boosting and intersectoral mobility.

Through staff exchanges, the career development and employability of research and innovation talents are the main objectives of the action. Specifically, the projects are expected to help achieve several of the following results:

• Stronger R&I talent base in Widening countries, with more skilled and entrepreneurial researchers, innovators, and research managers.
• Improved R&I support capacity in both academic and non-academic organisations.
• Better geographical and cross-sector mobility of R&I talents.
• Greater access for private entities to public R&I institutions, infrastructures, and expertise across Europe and beyond.
• Higher research excellence in organisations from Widening countries.
• More structured and impactful collaboration between academic and non-academic sectors.
• Enhanced research, entrepreneurial, and transferable skills among participating R&I talents.
• Improved employability and long-term career opportunities for R&I talents in both academic and non-academic sectors.

Explore the full list of selected projects:

Upcoming Widening funding opportunities

In line with the ERA (European Research Area) policy objectives, the Horizon Europe: Widening participation and spreading excellence programme is funding projects that help build the research and innovation capacity for countries lagging behind in research and innovation performance.

The draft 2026-2027 Horizon Europe Work Programme sets out new opportunities for research projects to receive funding:

• Twinning call opening 08 January 2026 (Deadline to apply: 9 April 2026)
• Hop-on facility call opening 13 January 2026 (Deadline to apply: 24 September 2026)

• And many more, which will be launched later in the year

Learn more about the calls and how to apply, join the Info Day on 22 January 2026.

Additionally, if your project is from a Widening country, associated country or an outermost region, and you are interested in turning your scientific results into sustainable products and solutions for the public, apply for dissemination and exploitation services with the widerAdvance Facility by 31 January 2026.

More about research careers in the EU

Discover our dedicated Research Careers webpage

Beyond borders: how mobility transformed my research and life

Choose Europe for science - explore more stories

* Note: links to project descriptions will be added when available.