Call for Proposals: Internal Security Grants 2026

The Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) 2026 Internal Security Fund (ISF) Call for Proposals supports projects that strengthen cooperation between EU Member States and partner countries to address migration-related security challenges, combat organised crime, prevent migrant smuggling and human trafficking, and improve cross-border security. 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 3 million and can finance up to 95% of eligible project costs.

About the MPF 2026 Internal Security Fund (ISF) Call for Proposals

The Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) is a European Union initiative that strengthens cooperation between EU Member States and partner countries to improve migration governance and internal security. The 2026 Internal Security Fund (ISF) Call for Proposals focuses on tackling migration-related security risks through stronger institutional partnerships, operational cooperation, and capacity building.

The programme is implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) with funding from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) under the Internal Security Fund (ISF).

By supporting joint projects between European and partner-country institutions, the programme contributes to safer migration systems, stronger law enforcement cooperation, and improved responses to transnational security threats while ensuring respect for international human rights standards.

Funding Amount

The programme offers the following financial support:

• Indicative total programme budget: EUR 3 million
• Minimum grant request: EUR 200,000
• Maximum grant amount: Not specified
• EU funding: Up to 95% of eligible project costs
• Applicant co-financing: At least 5% of eligible costs from applicants or other funding sources

Programme Objectives

The Internal Security Fund Call aims to:

• Strengthen cooperation between EU Member States and partner countries.
• Improve migration-related internal security.
• Combat irregular migration.
• Prevent migrant smuggling.
• Counter trafficking in human beings.
• Address transnational organised crime.
• Strengthen law enforcement cooperation.
• Improve migration-related risk assessment.
• Enhance preparedness for migration-related crises.
• Promote sustainable institutional partnerships.
• Integrate human rights into all project activities.

Priority Areas

Projects may focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Irregular migration prevention.
• Countering migrant smuggling.
• Support for the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling.
• Combating trafficking in human beings.
• Addressing transnational organised crime.
• Cross-border crime prevention.
• Internal security risk assessment.
• Migration crisis preparedness and response.
• Information exchange systems.
• Cross-border operational cooperation.
• Law enforcement capacity building.
• Institutional partnerships.
• Governance strengthening.
• Sustainable cooperation mechanisms.
• Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA).

Eligible Activities

The programme supports activities such as:

• Strengthening operational cooperation between authorities.
• Supporting thematic cooperation networks.
• Conducting joint operations.
• Organizing simulation exercises.
• Capacity building for law enforcement agencies.
• Institutional strengthening.
• Information-sharing initiatives.
• Developing cooperation mechanisms.
• Procuring essential project-related equipment.
• Investing in ICT systems directly linked to project implementation.
• Developing governance frameworks.
• Supporting regional cooperation initiatives.
• Training officials involved in migration and internal security.

Projects should demonstrate measurable improvements in institutional cooperation and migration-related security.

Who is Eligible?

Lead Applicants

Eligible lead applicants include:

• Public authorities of EU Member States participating in the Internal Security Fund.
• Government agencies.
• Public institutes.
• Public operators.
• Other legal entities officially mandated to act on behalf of eligible public authorities.

Co-applicants

Eligible co-applicants include:

• Public authorities from partner countries.
• Public bodies from participating EU Member States.
• International organizations.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Non-profit private law organizations working in migration or internal security.

Partnership Requirements

Projects must include:

• At least one eligible EU Member State.
• At least one eligible partner country.

Partner countries may be located in:

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

The programme encourages partnerships involving national authorities, international organizations, EU Delegations, EU agencies, and relevant regional institutions.

Project Duration

Supported actions:

• Must not extend beyond 30 June 2031.

Applicants should ensure that all project activities, reporting, and implementation are completed within the eligible timeframe.

Eligible Costs

Funding may generally support:

• Personnel costs.
• Project management.
• Capacity-building activities.
• Training programmes.
• Joint operations.
• Technical assistance.
• Institutional development.
• Information exchange systems.
• ICT systems required for project implementation.
• Essential equipment.
• Monitoring and evaluation.
• Communication activities.
• Travel directly related to project implementation.

All costs must directly contribute to the approved project objectives.

Ineligible Activities

The programme does not support:

• Projects focused solely on scholarships.
• Conference participation without broader project objectives.
• Procurement of goods as the sole activity.
• Activities better suited to other European Union funding programmes.
• Activities unrelated to migration and internal security priorities.

Applicants should ensure their proposals clearly align with the programme objectives.

Human Rights-Based Approach

Every project must integrate a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) throughout implementation.

Projects should:

• Respect international human rights standards.
• Protect vulnerable individuals and communities.
• Promote accountability and transparency.
• Ensure non-discrimination.
• Apply due diligence measures.
• Respect international humanitarian law where applicable.
• Strengthen rights-based migration governance.

Embedding human rights safeguards throughout project implementation is a mandatory programme requirement.

How to Apply

Organizations interested in applying should follow these steps.

1. Review the official Call for Proposals and eligibility requirements.
2. Confirm that the lead applicant and partners meet the programme criteria.
3. Establish partnerships with eligible institutions in both participating EU Member States and partner countries.
4. Develop a project aligned with Internal Security Fund priorities.
5. Prepare a detailed implementation plan.
6. Develop a realistic project budget, including the required co-financing.
7. Incorporate governance structures, sustainability measures, and a Human Rights-Based Approach.
8. Complete the official application form.
9. Submit all required supporting documents before the application deadline.
10. Respond to any clarification requests during the evaluation process if required.

Application Components

A competitive proposal should generally include:

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

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be evaluated based on:

• Relevance to programme objectives.
• Quality of project design.
• Institutional capacity.
• Strength of partnerships.
• Sustainability.
• Cost-effectiveness.
• Governance arrangements.
• Human rights integration.
• Technical feasibility.
• Long-term impact on migration and internal security cooperation.

Projects demonstrating practical cooperation, strong partnerships, and sustainable institutional outcomes are likely to be more competitive.

Why This Funding Opportunity Matters

Migration-related security challenges require coordinated international action involving governments, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations.

The programme helps:

• Strengthen international security cooperation.
• Combat migrant smuggling networks.
• Prevent trafficking in human beings.
• Improve responses to organised crime.
• Strengthen law enforcement institutions.
• Enhance migration crisis preparedness.
• Improve cross-border information sharing.
• Build sustainable institutional partnerships.
• Promote secure and well-managed migration systems.
• Protect human rights while strengthening internal security.

By encouraging long-term cooperation and institutional capacity building, the programme contributes to safer migration governance and stronger regional security.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid these common mistakes.

• Failing to establish the required international partnership.
• Submitting proposals unrelated to Internal Security Fund priorities.
• Providing weak sustainability strategies.
• Omitting governance arrangements.
• Ignoring Human Rights-Based Approach requirements.
• Preparing unrealistic budgets.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Failing to demonstrate institutional capacity.
• Proposing activities that are primarily procurement or conference participation.

Strong proposals should demonstrate policy relevance, measurable impact, effective partnerships, sustainable implementation, and compliance with human rights standards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the MPF 2026 Internal Security Fund (ISF) Call for Proposals?

It is a European Union funding programme that supports cooperation between EU Member States and partner countries to strengthen migration-related internal security, combat organised crime, and improve cross-border cooperation.

How much funding is available?

The programme has an indicative budget of EUR 3 million. Individual grant requests must be at least EUR 200,000, while no maximum funding 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 at least 5% co-financing.

Who can apply?

Eligible lead applicants include public bodies from EU Member States participating in the Internal Security Fund and officially mandated agencies or legal entities. Co-applicants may include partner-country public authorities, international organizations, NGOs, and nonprofit organizations.

Which regions are eligible for partnerships?

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

What activities are supported?

The programme supports operational cooperation, law enforcement capacity building, thematic networks, joint operations, ICT systems, institutional strengthening, migration-related risk assessment, information exchange, and measures to combat migrant smuggling, trafficking, and organised crime.

When must projects be completed?

All supported actions must be completed no later than 30 June 2031.

Conclusion

The Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) 2026 Internal Security Fund (ISF) Call for Proposals provides an important opportunity for public authorities and partner organizations to strengthen migration-related security cooperation between the European Union and partner countries. With an indicative budget of EUR 3 million and funding covering up to 95% of eligible project costs, the programme supports initiatives that combat migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings, transnational organised crime, and migration-related security risks while promoting institutional capacity, sustainable partnerships, and a Human Rights-Based Approach. Through collaborative action and long-term cooperation, the programme contributes to stronger internal security, effective migration governance, and enhanced protection of human rights.