Open Call for Migration Partnership Facility Border Management Grants 2026

The Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) 2026 Border Management Call for Proposals provides funding to strengthen cooperation between EU Member States, Schengen Associated Countries, and partner countries to improve integrated border management, border security, visa cooperation, and institutional capacity. Implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME), the programme has an indicative budget of EUR 5 million and finances up to 95% of eligible project costs.

About the MPF 2026 Border Management Call for Proposals

The Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) Border Management Call for Proposals is an international funding programme designed to strengthen cooperation on border management between European Union Member States, Schengen Associated Countries, and partner countries. The initiative supports projects that improve the management of the EU’s external borders while promoting secure, efficient, and rights-based border governance.

The programme is implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) under the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI). It contributes to the European Union’s efforts to enhance internal security, facilitate legitimate travel, combat irregular migration, and strengthen international cooperation on border management.

The programme also promotes sustainable institutional development, technological innovation, and compliance with international human rights standards.

Funding Amount

The programme provides the following financial support:

• Indicative total programme budget: EUR 5 million
• Minimum grant request: EUR 200,000
• Maximum grant amount: Not specified
• EU funding: Up to 95% of eligible project costs
• Co-financing requirement: At least 5% of eligible costs must be covered by applicants or other funding sources

Programme Objectives

The Border Management Call aims to:

• Strengthen cooperation between EU Member States and partner countries.
• Improve management of the EU’s external borders.
• Enhance European integrated border management.
• Facilitate safe and legitimate border crossings.
• Prevent irregular migration.
• Combat cross-border crime.
• Strengthen visa management systems.
• Improve the security of identity and travel documents.
• Enhance institutional capacity for border authorities.
• Promote sustainable cross-border cooperation.
• Integrate human rights into border management practices.

Priority Areas

Projects may address one or more of the following priority areas:

• European integrated border management.
• Border security.
• Border control modernization.
• Facilitation of legitimate travel.
• Prevention of irregular migration.
• Detection of cross-border crime.
• Common visa policy implementation.
• Identity document security.
• Travel document security.
• Border management legislation.
• Visa policy development.
• Large-scale border IT systems.
• Interoperability of digital systems.
• Capacity building.
• Expert exchanges.
• Training programmes.
• Institutional strengthening.
• Cross-border cooperation.
• Multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Sustainable governance.
• Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA).

Eligible Activities

The programme supports a broad range of border management initiatives, including:

• Strengthening border control systems.
• Improving border surveillance and management.
• Enhancing travel document security.
• Supporting visa cooperation.
• Developing border management policies and legislation.
• Designing national border management strategies.
• Investing in integrated IT systems.
• Improving digital interoperability.
• Organizing training programmes.
• Deploying technical experts.
• Facilitating study visits and peer learning.
• Building institutional capacity.
• Strengthening operational cooperation between authorities.
• Supporting governance reforms.
• Developing sustainable cooperation mechanisms.

Projects should demonstrate measurable improvements in border management while promoting security, efficiency, and international cooperation.

Who is Eligible?

Lead Applicants

Eligible lead applicants include:

• Public authorities of EU Member States participating in the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI).
• Public authorities of Schengen Associated Countries participating in BMVI.
• Government agencies.
• Public institutes.
• Public operators.
• Other legal entities officially mandated to act on behalf of eligible public authorities.

Co-applicants

Eligible co-applicants may include:

• Public authorities from eligible partner countries.
• Public bodies from participating EU Member States.
• Public bodies from Schengen Associated Countries.
• International organizations.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Non-profit private law organizations working on migration and border management.

Partnership Requirements

Projects must involve:

• At least one eligible EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country.
• At least one eligible partner country.

Partner countries may come from:

• Southern Neighbourhood.
• Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Central Asia.
• South Asia.
• West Asia.

Strong collaboration with national authorities, EU Delegations, and relevant EU agencies is strongly encouraged to maximize project impact and sustainability.

Eligible Costs

Funding may generally support:

• Personnel costs.
• Project implementation.
• Capacity-building activities.
• Training programmes.
• Technical assistance.
• Policy development.
• Expert missions.
• Travel related to project implementation.
• Institutional strengthening.
• IT system development.
• Essential infrastructure.
• Project-specific equipment.
• Monitoring and evaluation.
• Communication activities.

All expenses must directly contribute to the approved project objectives and comply with programme eligibility rules.

Human Rights-Based Approach

A core requirement of the programme is the integration of a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) throughout project implementation.

Projects should:

• Respect international human rights law.
• Promote dignity and non-discrimination.
• Ensure accountability and transparency.
• Protect vulnerable populations.
• Integrate due diligence measures.
• Strengthen rights-based border governance.

Applicants should clearly explain how human rights principles will be incorporated into project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should follow these steps.

1. Review the official Call for Proposals and confirm eligibility.
2. Establish partnerships with eligible organizations in both participating EU Member States or Schengen Associated Countries and partner countries.
3. Develop a project aligned with BMVI priorities.
4. Prepare a comprehensive implementation plan.
5. Develop a realistic budget, including the required co-financing contribution.
6. Demonstrate institutional capacity and governance arrangements.
7. Integrate sustainability measures and a Human Rights-Based Approach.
8. Complete the official application form.
9. Submit all required supporting documentation before the application deadline.
10. Respond to any clarification requests during the evaluation process if required.

Application Components

A competitive application should generally include:

• Organizational information.
• Partnership details.
• Project proposal.
• Needs assessment.
• Objectives and expected outcomes.
• Work plan.
• Governance framework.
• Human Rights-Based Approach.
• Sustainability strategy.
• Risk management plan.
• Monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Budget and budget justification.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be assessed based on:

• Relevance to BMVI priorities.
• Quality of project design.
• Strength of partnerships.
• Institutional capacity.
• Sustainability.
• Cost-effectiveness.
• Human rights integration.
• Technical feasibility.
• Governance arrangements.
• Long-term impact.

Projects demonstrating practical cooperation, institutional strengthening, and measurable improvements in border management are likely to be more competitive.

Why This Funding Opportunity Matters

Effective border management is essential for ensuring secure international mobility, combating cross-border crime, and facilitating lawful travel while respecting fundamental rights.

The programme contributes to:

• Stronger border governance.
• Improved regional cooperation.
• Enhanced internal security.
• Better migration management.
• More secure travel documents.
• Efficient visa systems.
• Greater institutional resilience.
• Improved digital border management.
• Sustainable international partnerships.
• Rights-based border management practices.

By supporting cross-border cooperation and institutional development, the programme helps strengthen border management systems across Europe and partner regions.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid these common mistakes.

• Failing to establish the required international partnership.
• Submitting projects that do not align with BMVI objectives.
• Providing weak sustainability strategies.
• Omitting a Human Rights-Based Approach.
• Preparing unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to demonstrate institutional capacity.
• Ignoring governance and risk management requirements.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Proposing activities outside the programme priorities.

Strong applications clearly demonstrate policy relevance, technical expertise, sustainable partnerships, and measurable long-term impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the MPF 2026 Border Management Call for Proposals?

It is a funding programme that supports projects strengthening cooperation between EU Member States, Schengen Associated Countries, and partner countries to improve integrated border management, border security, and visa cooperation.

How much funding is available?

The programme has an indicative budget of EUR 5 million. Individual grant requests must be at least EUR 200,000, while no maximum grant amount has been specified.

What percentage of project costs can be funded?

The programme may finance up to 95% of eligible project costs. Applicants must provide the remaining 5% through co-financing.

Who can apply?

Eligible lead applicants include public authorities of participating EU Member States or Schengen Associated Countries, government agencies, institutes, operators, and other authorized legal entities. Co-applicants may include partner-country public authorities, international organizations, NGOs, and nonprofit organizations.

Which countries can participate?

Projects must involve at least one eligible EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country and one partner country from the Southern Neighbourhood, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, or South and West Asia.

What activities are supported?

Supported activities include border control improvements, visa cooperation, travel document security, integrated IT systems, institutional capacity building, policy development, expert exchanges, training programmes, governance reforms, and cross-border cooperation.

What makes a strong application?

A competitive proposal demonstrates strong international partnerships, alignment with BMVI priorities, sustainable implementation, effective governance, integration of a Human Rights-Based Approach, realistic budgeting, and measurable institutional impact.

Conclusion

The Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) 2026 Border Management Call for Proposals offers significant funding to strengthen cooperation on border management between the European Union and partner countries. With an indicative budget of EUR 5 million and funding covering up to 95% of eligible project costs, the programme supports integrated border management, visa cooperation, institutional capacity building, digital modernization, and rights-based governance. By fostering sustainable partnerships and improving border security while respecting international human rights standards, the initiative contributes to safer, more efficient, and more resilient border management systems across participating regions.