Accelerating uptake through open proposals for advanced SME innovation

This EU grant opportunity, titled "Accelerating uptake through open proposals for advanced SME innovation," is part of the Horizon Europe Programme under the Civil Security for Society initiative. It specifically targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the civil security sector. Eligible applicants include SMEs, mid-cap companies, research and technology organizations (RTOs), non-SME industries, and security end-user organizations, with a focus on ensuring significant SME participation. The funding type is primarily a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, with a single-stage application process. The submission deadline is November 12, 2025. The proposal encourages collaborative efforts among a consortium range of three to seven partners, mandating at least two SMEs from different EU Member States and one end-user organization involved in civil security-related sectors, such as disaster resilience, border management, and combating crime and terrorism. Projects funded under this grant should focus on developing mature technological solutions aligned with EU security policy priorities, promoting collaboration among SMEs, RTOs, and security end-users to facilitate market access. The total budget for various topics under this grant ranges from €5 million to €18 million, with individual grants typically falling between €1 million and €6 million. At least 50% of funding must be allocated to SMEs. Supporting activities may include assessing market requirements, facilitating access to additional funding, and guiding expansion into future markets. The initiative aims to increase investment in critical technologies within Europe and to reduce dependencies on non-EU suppliers in security areas. The strategic emphasis on digital and deep-tech innovation aligns with the EU's broader security goals. The grant addresses significant challenges faced by SMEs in the security sector, including bureaucratic hurdles, limited access to financing, and market entry barriers. Eligible proposals that meet the thresholds will be awarded a STEP Seal, enhancing the credibility and visibility of the projects. In summary, this funding opportunity is designed to empower European SMEs in the civil security domain by fostering innovation, collaboration, and technological development, ultimately contributing to stronger European strategic autonomy and security capacity.

This EU funding opportunity aims to accelerate the uptake of innovative security solutions developed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union. It falls under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically the Civil Security for Society call (HORIZON-CL3-2025-01), and is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA). The grant type is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. The deadline model is single-stage, with a planned opening date of June 12, 2025, and a deadline of November 12, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this opportunity include:the development of mature technological solutions addressing EU security policy priorities, facilitated access to the civil security market for small innovators, improved cooperation between public buyers and small supply market actors, and stronger partnerships between small and medium EU security industry and technology actors. The overall goal is to ensure the sustainability of EU innovation capacity in the civil security domain and reduce technological dependencies on non-EU suppliers in critical security areas.

The scope of this funding opportunity focuses on supporting European SMEs, which are considered the backbone of the EU economy, in bringing their innovative security solutions to the public market. SMEs often face challenges such as red tape, limited access to customers and finance, industrial competition, and intellectual property valorization, especially in the security market. This funding aims to create a collaborative environment where small and medium innovators can tailor their innovations to the specific needs of civil security end-users.

Applicants are invited to submit proposals for technology development that adhere to the following principles: focus on mature digital technological solutions aligned with the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) guidance, foster collaboration between SMEs from different Member States and Associated Countries, involve security end-users as validators and potential first adopters, and promote collaboration between small companies and research and technology organizations (RTOs) or large industrial players to facilitate technology transfer and create innovative business models.

Examples of activities that can be planned in the proposed projects include:assimilating market requirements, facilitating access to additional funding, approaching potential public buyers, assessing the competitive landscape, supporting innovation management, assisting in IP management and exploitation, and providing guidance for expansion to future markets. RTOs should focus on supporting the small industrial players rather than on their own technology development.

It is encouraged that one SME takes the coordinator role, with exceptions duly justified. Projects should have a maximum estimated duration of 2 years. This topic contributes to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and addresses civil security technologies falling under the sectors of Digital technologies and deep-tech innovation. It aims to boost investment in critical technologies in Europe and reduce or prevent the strategic dependencies of the Union.

The following additional eligibility conditions apply:Consortia must include, as beneficiaries, a minimum of three and a maximum of seven partners, at least 2 SMEs from 2 different Member States, and at least 1 end-user organization in the areas addressed by the proposal, namely one of the following options: Fighting Organised Crime and Terrorism, Disaster-Resilient Society, Resilient Infrastructure, and Border Management, provided that the applications attain all thresholds. Participation of non-SME industries and Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) is not excluded, but it must be limited to 15% of the budget. At least 50% of the budget must be allocated to SMEs.

Eligible proposals that meet the evaluation thresholds will be awarded a STEP Seal. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Application forms, evaluation forms, model grant agreements, and additional documents are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

The total budget and indicative number of grants for various topics under the Civil Security for Society call are as follows:

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€10,000,000, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:€9,000,000, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€9,000,000, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:€12,000,000, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:€10,500,000, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€13,500,000, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-04 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€5,000,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-FCT-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:€18,000,000, around 6 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-FCT-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:€12,000,000, around 4 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-FCT-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€7,500,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-FCT-04 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€6,000,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-INFRA-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€15,000,000, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-INFRA-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:€7,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-01 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions:€3,000,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-02 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions:€5,000,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-03 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions:€2,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL3 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€3,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-05 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€3,000,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-06 - HORIZON-PCP HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement:€5,500,000, around 1 grant

This funding opportunity is designed to empower European SMEs in the civil security sector by providing them with the necessary support to develop and market their innovative solutions. It encourages collaboration, involves end-users, and aims to reduce the EU's reliance on non-EU suppliers in critical security areas. The lump sum grant mechanism simplifies the financial aspects, and the STEP Seal provides additional recognition for eligible proposals. The focus on digital and deep-tech innovation aligns with the EU's strategic priorities and aims to strengthen the European security industry.

Eligible Applicant Types:Eligible applicants include SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), MIDCAPs (if included in the proposal, they could also take the role of coordinator), Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs), non-SME industries, and security end-user organizations. The focus is on SMEs, with specific requirements for SME participation and budget allocation.

Funding Type:The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant under the Horizon Europe Programme. The actions include HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement (HORIZON-PCP).

Consortium Requirement:A consortium of multiple applicants is required. The consortium must include a minimum of three and a maximum of seven partners.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if they have made specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector:The program targets the civil security sector, with a focus on digital technologies and deep-tech innovation. Specific areas include fighting crime and terrorism, disaster-resilient societies, border management, and resilient infrastructure. The program contributes to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).

Mentioned Countries:The opportunity explicitly mentions EU Member States and Associated Countries as geographically eligible. It also refers to non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Project Stage:The project stage targets mature digital technological solutions. The focus is on technology development, technology transfer, and creating innovative business models to facilitate market access for SMEs.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary depending on the specific action type (HORIZON-IA, HORIZON-RIA, HORIZON-CSA, HORIZON-PCP) and topic. The budget overview provides specific amounts for each topic, ranging from €2,000,000 to €18,000,000 per topic, with individual grants typically ranging from around €1,000,000 to around €6,000,000.

Application Type:The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages:The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates:The success rates can be inferred from the "Indicative number of grants" provided for each topic in the budget overview, but the exact success rate is not explicitly stated.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. However, it mentions that at least 50% of the budget must be allocated to SMEs, implying that the remaining budget can come from other sources, which could potentially include the applicants themselves or other parties.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call, under the Civil Security for Society program (HORIZON-CL3-2025-01), aims to accelerate the uptake of advanced SME innovation in the civil security sector. It seeks to foster collaboration between SMEs from different Member States and Associated Countries, involve security end-users, and promote technology transfer and innovative business models. The call focuses on mature digital technological solutions aligned with the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) guidance, addressing EU security policy priorities such as fighting crime and terrorism, disaster-resilient societies, border management, and resilient infrastructure. Eligible applicants include SMEs, MIDCAPs, RTOs, non-SME industries, and security end-user organizations, with a consortium of 3 to 7 partners required, including at least 2 SMEs from different Member States and at least 1 end-user organization. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with varying amounts depending on the specific topic and action type, and at least 50% of the budget must be allocated to SMEs. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of 12 November 2025. This initiative is designed to boost investment in critical technologies in Europe and reduce the Union's strategic dependencies.