PROGRAMME SUMMARY
The aim of the INTER Mobility programme is to promote the scientific exchange between research groups of the Luxembourg public research institutions and outstanding research groups abroad to foster the set-up/consolidation of international research collaboration, to allow for innovative, internationally competitive research and support the exchange of key knowledge and technological know-how. Thus, the activities should have a strong impact on the research programme of the Luxembourg research group, the Luxembourg research ecosystem in general as well as on the career development of the Luxembourg based researcher. INTER Mobility allows for exchanges in both directions (researchers working in Luxembourg to go abroad or for researchers from elsewhere to come to Luxembourg):
More specifically, the FNR intends to support:
- Luxembourg-based researchers (from levels R2 to R4) to visit the leading research groups in complementary research areas (Mobility – OUT) ;
- and/or the visit from outstanding leading senior researchers (R3 to R4) to Luxembourg public research institutions (Mobility – IN).
This funding instrument also aims to bridge the gap between the research communities in the public and the private sector. Therefore, secondments to the private sector, i.e., companies outside of Luxembourg, are highly welcome.
Within the INTER Mobility Scheme, the FNR does not support research stays of early-stage researchers (i.e., PhD candidates).
Further, there are no thematic or geographical limitations for the mobility stay.
Updates for the 2026 call:
Please review the program description and the guidelines for the 2026 call updates carefully. Among other changes, PhD requirements at submission are clearly defined, financial support will have specified maximum personnel costs, travel and mobility allowances will be updated, budget shifting will no longer be allowed, and an FNR funding range will be established.
The INTER Mobility Call 2026 will be a pilot call for introducing a self-assessment on potential research security aspects. The self-assessment is currently developed in a joint 3LiU-FNR working group and will be presented to the PIs intending to submit an INTER Mobility proposal by end of February, the latest.
Earmarked grants
The FNR reserves some ear-marked grants to foster research collaboration with specific partners, namely the province of Quebec, Singapore, Japan, Republic of Korea and UC Berkeley (US).
DURATION
The programme duration now ranges from a minimum of two to a maximum of twelve months (cumulative). Furthermore, researchers based in Luxembourg may visit up to two organisations abroad. The total duration of their stay must be at least two months, which may be divided into intervals of no less than four weeks each.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
- All applications must be submitted via the FNR’s Online Grant Management System.
The FNR has streamlined the financial regulations for applicants and beneficiaries for all FNR funding schemes in one document. The details on the eligibility of costs are available in the Financial Regulations available at FNR website.
The INTER Mobility grant does not cover costs related to research activities (e.g., consumables, acquisition of equipment, or field work), organisation or attendance of workshops or conferences, or additional travel during the mobility stay. For further detail, consult check the FNR Financial Regulations.
The FNR financially supports the secondment of researchers (personnel costs for the fellow) and the costs related to the research stays (travel costs and mobility allowance). Furthermore, “other costs” can be claimed, e.g. for Visa, additional health insurance, school fees or childcare services. Some additional funding for accompanying family members[1] can be provided. In duly justified cases, additional budget in the eligible budget lines can be applied for.