What is an OID in Erasmus+?
From the Programme Guide
“A unique number that corresponds to an organisation. This number can be used when applying for an accreditation or grant under the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps actions managed by National Agencies.”
For actions run by National Agencies, applicants register in the Organisation Registration system, unless they have done so already. They then receive an Organisation ID (Programme Guide 2026, p. 413). The system serves Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (Programme Guide 2026, p. 413), and the Guide also calls it ORS (Programme Guide 2026, p. 415). Organisation Registration system (European Commission site)
What is a PIC in Erasmus+?
For actions run by the Executive Agency (EACEA), applicants, affiliated entities and associated partners register in the Funding & Tenders Portal. They then receive a Participant Identification Code, the PIC (Programme Guide 2026, p. 413). A footnote on the same page says the PIC is mandatory information in the application form (Programme Guide 2026, p. 413, footnote 456).
The Guide describes the PIC as a 9-digit unique identifier, needed to submit applications. The applicant registers only once, through the European Commission's Participant Register (Programme Guide 2026, p. 414).
If your organisation already has a PIC from another EU programme, it does not need to register again. That PIC is valid for applying under Erasmus+ (Programme Guide 2026, p. 413).
Other EU programmes use the PIC too (Programme Guide 2026, p. 413). For example, the Horizon Europe application form, Part A, shows an organisation's data "linked to the given PIC number" (Horizon Europe application form, Part A, PDF p. 10).
Is the PIC the same as the OID?
No. They come from two different registration systems and are used for different actions (Programme Guide 2026, p. 413, points 1a and 1b).
| Item | OID | PIC |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Organisation ID (p. 448) | Participant Identification Code (p. 413) |
| Where you get it | Organisation Registration system for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (p. 413) | Participant Register, in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (pp. 413–414) |
| Used for | Actions managed by National Agencies (pp. 413, 448) | Actions managed by the Executive Agency, EACEA (p. 413) |
| Format stated in the Guide | Not stated | 9-digit unique identifier (p. 414) |
| Who registers | The legal representative, with an EU Login account (p. 414) | The legal representative, with an EU Login account (p. 414) |
| In the application form | Entering the OID fills in the registration data automatically (p. 414) | Entering the PIC displays the registration data automatically (p. 414) |
| How often to register | Only once (p. 414) | Only once (p. 414) |
Which code goes in your PIF, and why must it match?
Entering the OID into the application form automatically fills in all the information the organisation gave at registration (Programme Guide 2026, p. 414).
An invalid OID is listed as one of the grounds for non-admissibility of an application (Programme Guide 2026, p. 416).
Our PIF checklist starts with these identity checks. See the 18 PIF checks
How do I find or check our OID?
Registration is done by the legal representative, with an EU Login account (Programme Guide 2026, p. 414). Organisations can check their OID, or change the information linked to it, in the Organisation Registration system (Programme Guide 2026, p. 414). Open the Organisation Registration system
How do I find or check our PIC?
The Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual tells organisations to look for an existing entry before registering. The search is under How to Participate, Participant Register, Search a PIC. The manual also says to check several variants of your details. That way you can be sure there is really no entry (F&T Online Manual, Registration and validation of your organisation). Online Manual: registration and validation
The same page says that at the end of the registration you receive the 9-digit PIC (F&T Online Manual, Registration and validation of your organisation).
Can we register again if we lose access?
From the Programme Guide
“Organisations should register only once.”
Registering more than once for an OID, or using several OIDs for the same entity, may qualify as misrepresentation under the EU Financial Regulation. It can lead to the entity's rejection from the affected award procedures by the National Agency (Programme Guide 2026, p. 415).
Can a coordinator put our OID in their application?
Yes, with your consent. Applicants must have explicit consent to use another organisation's OID in an application form. The proof can be requested in case of disagreement. Applicants may be disqualified if they cannot show it (Programme Guide 2026, p. 414).
From the Programme Guide
“All applications for projects and accreditations must contain original content authored by the applicant or partner organisations or consortium members jointly applying for a grant.”
All proposals are automatically screened to detect double funding and plagiarism risks. Detected similarities might lead to rejection if the applicant cannot justify them (Programme Guide 2026, p. 428).
How many applications can one OID be in?
In several actions, the Programme Guide caps how many applications one OID can be part of in each deadline (Programme Guide 2026, pp. 157, 170, 187, 200, 237, 244 and 245). The partnership limits apply to applications submitted to National Agencies in school education, vocational education and training (VET), adult education and youth (Programme Guide 2026, pp. 237, 244 and 245).
| Action | Limit | Counts as |
|---|---|---|
| Cooperation Partnerships (KA220), National Agency fields | No more than 10 applications per deadline (p. 237) | Applicant or partner, across school education, VET, adult education and youth combined (p. 237, footnote 241) |
| Small-scale Partnerships (KA210), National Agency fields | No more than 5 applications per deadline (p. 245) | Applicant or partner, all eligible fields (p. 245, footnote 251) |
| Small-scale Partnerships (KA210), as applicant | Apply only once per deadline (p. 244) | Applicant only, in school education, VET, adult education and youth at National Agencies (p. 244) |
| Youth exchanges, mobility projects for youth workers, youth participation activities, DiscoverEU Inclusion Action | No more than 5 applications per deadline in each of these actions (pp. 157, 170, 187, 200) | Applicant or partner, in that action (pp. 157, 170, 187, 200) |
The 2026 KA210-YOU application form says that once the limit is reached, no further applications with the same OID can be submitted. When an OID reaches the limit in draft and submitted applications, an email goes to the Authorised person of that OID. The email lists those applications (KA210-YOU 2026 form template, p. 6). The 2026 KA220-VET form also says that no further applications can be submitted once the limit of 10 is reached (KA220-VET 2026 form template, p. 6).
What else sits behind the OID?
As part of registration, applicants must upload an Identification Form to ORS. There are three types: for natural persons, private companies and public law bodies. The National Agencies validate the form (Programme Guide 2026, p. 415).
In a consortium, all members should provide the Identification Form, but only the coordinator gives banking details (Programme Guide 2026, p. 415). For grants above EUR 60 000, applicants may need to upload documents proving their financial capacity (Programme Guide 2026, p. 415).
The 2026 KA220-VET form has a checklist to go through before submission. It says the documents proving the applicant's legal status must be uploaded in the Organisation Registration System (KA220-VET 2026 form template, p. 16).
Who manages the PIC?
For actions run by EACEA, the organisation's legal representative or representatives must nominate a Legal Entity Appointed Representative, the LEAR. This happens alongside the validation in the Participant Register (Programme Guide 2026, p. 447).
Once validated by the Commission, the LEAR can (Programme Guide 2026, p. 447):
- Manage the legal and financial information about the organisation (p. 447).
- Manage access rights of people in the organisation, but not at project level (p. 447).
- Appoint the people who sign grant agreements or financial statements electronically (p. 447).
The Online Manual adds that validation of the organisation is a prerequisite for the LEAR appointment (F&T Online Manual, Registration and validation of your organisation).
What happens if the OID in an application is wrong?
An application can be rejected for non-admissibility. The Guide names an invalid OID as one example, next to a late submission and an incomplete form (Programme Guide 2026, p. 416). Only clerical errors can be corrected after the deadline. That happens at the managing agency's request and in duly justified cases (Programme Guide 2026, p. 415).
Questions and answers
- Do we need a new OID for each project?
- No. Organisations should register only once (Programme Guide 2026, p. 414), so you keep using the OID you have. Using several OIDs for the same entity may qualify as misrepresentation (Programme Guide 2026, p. 415).
- Can we see a partner's OID?
- Ask the partner for it. The Programme Guide does not describe a way to look up another organisation's OID. You also need its explicit consent to use it in your application (Programme Guide 2026, p. 414).
- Is there an OID for Horizon Europe?
- Not in the Programme Guide's sense. The Guide defines the OID for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps actions managed by National Agencies (Programme Guide 2026, p. 448). The Horizon Europe application form, Part A, identifies organisations by their PIC (Horizon Europe application form, Part A, PDF p. 10).
Sources
- Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, version 1 (12 November 2025)Pages 157, 170, 187, 200, 237, 244, 245, 413, 414, 415, 416, 428, 447 and 448. Opened 13 October 2026.
- EU Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual: Registration and validation of your organisationOpened 13 October 2026.
- Call 2026 application form template: Small-scale partnerships in youth (KA210-YOU)Page 6. Opened 13 October 2026.
- Call 2026 application form template: Cooperation partnerships in VET (KA220-VET)Pages 6 and 16. Opened 13 October 2026.
- Horizon Europe standard application form, Part A (RIA and IA)PDF page 10. Opened 13 October 2026.
Why we publish this: a PIF only helps you if it is right, and most mistakes come from rules that change.
MyPIF keeps your PIF behind one link that always opens the latest version. Correct a fact once, such as your OID or legal name, and every coordinator with the link sees it. You can also export a PDF when someone needs a file.
MyPIF is an independent service, not affiliated with or endorsed by the European Commission, EACEA or any National Agency.
