The purpose of the Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange programme is to strengthen the links between ELIXIR Nodes, facilitate capacity building in ELIXIR Nodes and support the exchange of best practices in bioinformatics service provision.
This programme is expected to cover ad-hoc needs, accommodate innovative, emerging ideas, or newly onboarded people requiring capacity building and knowledge exchange outside of the activities already funded through ELIXIR Commissioned Services. The Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange programme instruments can be applied for with separate forms below.
Applications supporting ELIXIR’s International Strategy through collaboration beyond Europe may also be considered, following consultation with the External Relations team at the Hub.
Updates for 2026
In 2025, the programme was heavily oversubscribed and had to be closed early in May. For 2026, the programme has been modified to cover the costs of accommodation, registration and principal travel only. The aim is to support a larger number of applications over the year by restricting support to covering only the principal costs. Also, each of the four types of application will be capped at using a maximum of 50% of the budget. It will be possible to submit applications from 5 January 2026.
Travel Grant
The purpose of the ELIXIR Travel Grant Scheme is to support:
- individuals in ELIXIR Nodes to attend ELIXIR-related events
- travel between ELIXIR Nodes
- travel between the Nodes and the Hub
Applications must be submitted with at least 30 days’ notice.
Due to separate resources already allocated to ELIXIR Nodes, travel to the following meetings are not eligible for Travel Grant:
- Heads of Nodes and Technical and Training Coordinators’ meetings
- ELIXIR All Hands meeting
- BioHackathon
- Annual Platform face-to-face meetings
Travel grants will cover accommodation, registration and principal travel (this refers to the main journey to and from the primary destination and excludes all local transport). These will be reimbursed through ELIXIR external expenses.
Apply for a Travel Grant.
Staff Exchange
The ELIXIR Staff Exchange funding allows members of an ELIXIR Node to travel and work in other ELIXIR Nodes, or to attend a specific ELIXIR-related event. The aims of the ELIXIR Staff Exchange programme are to strengthen the links between ELIXIR Nodes, facilitate capacity building in ELIXIR Nodes and support the exchange of best practices in bioinformatics service provision.
The Staff Exchange will cover the cost of accommodation, registration and principal travel (this refers to the main journey to and from the primary destination and excludes all local transport) to a maximum budget of €10,000.
These costs will be reimbursed to the travelling Node through a Proposal of Funding Letter and invoicing after the Staff Exchange has been completed and a report has been submitted to the Hub.
Apply for a Staff Exchange.
Knowledge Exchange
ELIXIR supports collaborative partnerships between industry and ELIXIR members to drive innovation in bioinformatics. See the detailed Information of the application process and have a look at previous projects.
The Knowledge Exchange will cover the cost of accommodation, registration and principal travel (this refers to the main journey to and from the primary destination and excludes all local transport) to a maximum budget of €10,000. These costs will be reimbursed to the travelling Node through a Proposal of Funding Letter and invoicing after the Knowledge Exchange has been completed and a report submitted to the Hub.
Please note that ELIXIR cannot fund industry partners in any way.
Apply for Knowledge Exchange funding.
Industry Engagement Days/SME Days
Industry Engagement Days will give the Nodes a chance to reach out to relevant companies and industry associations, communicate ELIXIR services and forge strong links with the local representatives.
The costs covered for the event will include the venue, catering, and travel expenses to a maximum of €7,000. These costs will be reimbursed to the organising Node through a Proposal of Funding Letter and invoicing after the event, and a report submitted to the Hub.
SME days aim to connect with the international and national industry ecosystem, communicate ELIXIR services and explore opportunities of industry engagement for strategic goals and priorities.
You will be eligible if you have previously organised an Innovation and SME Forum. You can apply for the Innovation and SME Forum scheme, maximum budget of €15,000.
The costs covered for the event will include the venue, catering, and travel expenses. These costs will be reimbursed to the organising Node/Institute through a Proposal of Funding Letter and invoicing after the event, and a report submitted to and approved by the Hub.
Apply for an Industry Engagement Day.