Secondment

Overview

A secondment involves transferring a staff member from one participating institution to another. Researchers carry out full-time scientific research and innovation activities. These activities contribute to the realisation of the project’s work packages and tasks. See the practical steps for detailed instructions.

Allowance

The European Commission finances a research allowance of €2,710.00 per month via the beneficiary institutions. Staff members use this allowance to cover travel, accommodation, visa fees, per diem and other expenses. The duration includes days spent travelling to and from the host institution. For partial months, a pro-rata unit cost of 1/30 is calculated for each day. 

Duration 

Secondments may take place between 1 October 2026 and 31 September 2030. Secondments may last between one and twelve months. For the first secondment, a secondee should complete a minimum of thirty continuous days of full-time research at one of the participating institutions. After that, a secondee can undertake secondments at other institutions for a maximum total of twelve months. 

Geography

Secondments can be from a European institution to an international institution, or from one European institution to another. The European Commission limits intra-European secondments to one third of the total. Secondments from the University of Cape Town can only be executed at European institutions. Secondments to the same country are not possible. See the list of European and international participants. 

Eligibility

Participants must be either an early-stage researcher (a student enrolled in a PhD programme) or an experienced researcher (a researcher with a PhD and at least four years of research experience). Staff members must be employed full-time by a participating institution or be undertaking full-time PhD studies during the secondment. See the detailed eligibility conditions.