Advancing autonomous systems and robotics for high-risk disaster response, strengthening disaster resilience in conflict-afflicted crisis zones

This summary highlights a Horizon Europe grant opportunity designated for enhancing disaster resilience through the advancement of autonomous systems and robotics in conflict-affected areas, particularly targeting high-risk disaster response. The call, titled "Advancing autonomous systems and robotics for high-risk disaster response, strengthening disaster resilience in conflict-afflicted crisis zones," is classified under HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-04. It represents a HORIZON Innovation Action, offering non-repayable funding specifically for research, development, and validation.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, startups, and public-private partnerships, with an emphasis on engaging first responder organizations from various EU Member States and associated countries, specifically requiring participation from at least one entity in Ukraine. The geographic scope encompasses all EU member states alongside associated countries, with focus areas targeting conflict zones.

The grant provides a funding amount of up to €5 million for projects that focus on developing multi-functional autonomous systems capable of performing tasks such as search and rescue, hazard assessment, and logistical support in hazardous environments. The funding type is a grant, with a single-stage application process scheduled to open on June 12, 2025, and close on November 12, 2025.

Projects should aim for validation and demonstration in real-world scenarios, aligning with needs for user-centered approaches to enhance remote sensing and situational awareness in complex, high-risk situations. The success rates for applications are estimated between 10% and 39%, contingent upon the quality of proposals and engagement with end-users.

Additionally, co-funding is generally encouraged as part of the application process, with a mandatory requirement for collaborative efforts among consortia members spanning multiple EU countries. The focus of the program revolves around innovative technology aimed at improving the readiness and operational efficiency of first responders in disaster contexts. The overarching aim is to equip responders with advanced tools and training, enhancing their effectiveness in safeguarding civilians and infrastructure during crises.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call for proposals under the Civil Security for Society (HORIZON-CL3-2025-01) program, specifically targeting the development and deployment of advanced autonomous systems and robotics for high-risk disaster response, with a focus on strengthening disaster resilience in conflict-afflicted crisis zones. The call, titled Advancing autonomous systems and robotics for high-risk disaster response, strengthening disaster resilience in conflict-afflicted crisis zones, is designated as HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-04. It is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Multi-Function Grant Agreement (MGA). The call follows a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date for submissions is June 12, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is November 12, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of the projects funded under this topic include: Development and/or adaptation of Multi-Function Autonomous Systems for High-Risk Scenarios capable of navigating conflict-driven disasters, performing civilian tasks like search and rescue, hazard assessment, and supply transport in dangerous areas. Enhancement of remote sensing and situational awareness through sensor-based technologies for first responders and decision-makers. Improvement of autonomous navigation and search capabilities in dangerous environments, particularly in low-visibility or smoky conditions. User-centred and real-world testing in environments that replicate conflict zones and urban disasters. Capacity building and training for autonomous system deployment, providing specialised training guidelines for first responders and civil protection agencies.

The scope of the call addresses the urgent need for advanced tools to equip responders in conflict zones and complex, high-risk environments. It focuses on developing autonomous systems tailored for large-scale, multi-dimensional disasters, enhancing resilience, and protecting infrastructure, services, and populations. The European Commission encourages creating opportunities for researchers and innovators previously active in Ukraine.

The general conditions for admissibility include: compliance with proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Additional eligibility criteria include: Active involvement of at least three first responders’ organisations or agencies from at least three different EU Member States or Associated Countries, including Ukraine. Completion of the “Information about security practitioners” table in the application form. Mandatory participation of at least one entity from Ukraine in the consortium. Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS for projects utilising satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services. Compliance with the Work Programme 2025 – 6. Civil Security for Society.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award processes, criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in Annex D and Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. Legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information: Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE RIA, IA). Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide. Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the HE MGA. Call-specific instructions and the Information on Security Practitioners Template are available.

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 6. Civil Security for Society, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview lists various topics under the call, including HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-04, with a budget of EUR 5,000,000 and an indicative number of 1 grant. The opening date is June 12, 2025, and the deadline is November 12, 2025.

Partner search announcements are available, with 27 searches for partners to collaborate on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests.

The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header. No topic Q&As are currently listed. General FAQs and support are available through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, and the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment. Partner Search assistance is also available.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call seeks to fund innovation actions focused on developing and deploying advanced autonomous systems and robotics to enhance disaster response in conflict zones. It requires consortia to include first responder organisations, at least one Ukrainian entity, and encourages projects that create opportunities for Ukrainian researchers and innovators. The call aims to improve the EU's preparedness and resilience in the face of complex crises by providing first responders with cutting-edge tools and training to operate effectively in high-risk environments. The total budget for the HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-04 topic is 5 million EUR, with an expected single grant to be awarded. The call emphasizes the use of satellite data from Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS and adherence to specific guidelines and annexes outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme. The overall objective is to develop innovative solutions that can protect both citizens and first responders in conflict-driven disasters, ensuring swift, coordinated, and safe responses across Europe and beyond.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include first responders’ organisations or agencies, entities from EU Member States, associated countries, and Ukraine. The European Commission also encourages the participation of researchers and innovators previously active in Ukraine. The specific types of organizations that can apply beyond these are not detailed in the provided text.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe Programme. The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. There are also 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 is required. The topic mandates the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least three first responders’ organisations or agencies from at least three different EU Member States or Associated Countries, including Ukraine. Also, the participation of at least one entity from Ukraine in the consortium is mandatory.

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

Target Sector: The target sector is civil security, specifically focusing on disaster response, autonomous systems, and robotics. This includes areas such as search and rescue, hazard assessment, supply transport, remote sensing, and situational awareness. The program also targets innovation and research related to technologies that can enhance the ability of autonomous systems to perform search operations in low-visibility or smoky conditions.

Mentioned Countries: Ukraine, EU Member States, and Associated Countries are explicitly mentioned.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on development and deployment, specifically developing and deploying advanced autonomous systems tailored for large-scale, multi-dimensional disasters. It also includes real-world testing and capacity-building programs, suggesting a focus on demonstration and validation.

Funding Amount: The funding amount for the HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-04 topic is EUR 5,000,000. The indicative number of grants for this specific topic is 1. Other topics listed have varying budget amounts and indicative numbers of grants. For example, HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-01 has a budget of EUR 10,000,000 and aims to award around 3 grants.

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 grant.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential success rate, which would depend on the number of applications received.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, under the Civil Security for Society program, aims to advance the development and deployment of autonomous systems and robotics for high-risk disaster response, particularly in conflict-afflicted crisis zones. The focus is on creating innovative, durable, and efficient technological solutions that can enhance the capabilities of first responders, protect civilian lives, and improve operational efficiency in extreme environments. The call specifically targets the development and adaptation of multi-function autonomous systems capable of navigating complex and dangerous environments, enhancing remote sensing and situational awareness, and improving autonomous navigation and search capabilities. A key requirement is the active involvement of first responder organizations from multiple EU Member States, Associated Countries, and mandatory participation of at least one entity from Ukraine. The European Commission encourages the inclusion of Ukrainian researchers and innovators. The funding is provided through HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 5,000,000 allocated to the HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-04 topic, and a single-stage application process with a deadline of November 12, 2025. Other topics are also listed with varying budgets and scopes, ranging from EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 18,000,000, covering areas such as border management, disaster-resilient societies, and fighting crime and terrorism. The call seeks to address the EU’s critical need for tools that protect infrastructure, services, and populations while enhancing resilience and operational readiness in the face of complex crises.