Associated members of the personnel and Allowances
CERN offers various contract types to support collaboration, training, academic participation, and short‑term engagement.
Picture 1 – This article focuses on personnel categories MPAc and MPAx
MPA are defined in Administrative Circular No.11. They are not employed by CERN but appointed through contracts of association to promote international collaboration, contacts between scientists and specialized training.
MPAc associates are appointed within a collaboration under agreements with their home institutions while MPAx associates are invited individually to foster scientific and technological exchange. In both cases, CERN is not responsible for employment conditions but ensures that the home institution is responsible for the existence of sufficient social insurance.
Picture 2 – MPAc and MPAx subcategories
According to CERN Staff Rules and Regulations, MPA may receive a subsistence allowance to cover additional costs arising from their stay in the local area. The applicable amounts to each category, subject to annual indexation, are set in Administrative Circular No. 11. There are three types of allowances:
- Contractual subsistence allowance: this allowance is mandatory for the whole duration of the contract of association.
- Occasional subsistence allowance: this allowance is optional and subject to duration maximums.
- Cost-of-living allowance (COLA): this allowance is optional and processed by CERN on behalf of an institution or collaboration. The COLA is clearly taxed in France (with rates that can exceed 25%) but not (always) in Switzerland, its taxability being less clear there.
Some contracts, also include supplements to their monthly subsistence allowance based on family situation and/or seniority.
Picture 3. Summary of contract types and allowances for MPAc and MPAx contracts
The five-yearly review ensures, among others, that financial and social conditions offered to MPA, including subsistence allowances, remain adequate, taking into account the highest cost-of-living in CERN region.
Picture 4. Number of MPAc and MPAx according to CERN Personnel Statistics 2024.
The Staff Association actively participates in this review and advocate for fair allowances that enable staff to live in the region — a standard that is not always met today.
