Advancing remote operations to enable the sustainable and smart mobility of people and goods based on operational and societal needs (CCAM Partnership) – Societal Readiness Pilot

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity, titled "Advancing remote operations to enable the sustainable and smart mobility of people and goods based on operational and societal needs (CCAM Partnership) Societal Readiness Pilot," is part of the HORIZON Research and Innovation Action under Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy, and Mobility). This grant invites eligible applicants, including research institutes, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, public-private partnerships, and social sciences and humanities experts, to submit proposals that explore the operational and societal requirements for complementing connected, cooperative, and automated mobility (CCAM) solutions through remote operations.

The funding is provided as a lump-sum grant, with a total budget of €12 million for this topic, expected to award around two grants of approximately €6 million each. The application process is a single-stage open call with a submission deadline of September 4, 2025. This opportunity emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and prompts projects to investigate two specific use cases focused on the transport of people, goods, or a combination of both, particularly in urban and rural environments.

Key outcomes expected from funded projects include the establishment of a comprehensive set of guidelines for remote operations addressing safety, cybersecurity, legal implications, and operational aspects. Projects should also define infrastructure needs, develop safety validation methodologies, and evaluate business models, focusing on human factors and societal impacts. Stakeholder engagement is essential, with a focus on responsible research and innovation principles.

Proposals must detail how they will enhance public transport services, optimize logistics, or provide integrated solutions, while analyzing operational and societal aspects, identifying potential challenges and opportunities. The framework must integrate technological advancements with human-centered design and societal needs, targeting safety assurances and building trust among users.

This grant aims to foster understanding around remote operation technology for automated vehicles at SAE Level 4 to ensure these advancements are beneficial and accessible, while addressing legislative and operational frameworks necessary for effective implementation. The strategic scope encompasses promoting smart, sustainable mobility systems by addressing the necessity of collaboration among various stakeholders, including user groups, technology providers, public agencies, and civil societies. Overall, this grant is a call to action for innovative solutions to advance the future of mobility, balancing technology with societal readiness and needs.

The EU funding opportunity HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-01, titled "Advancing remote operations to enable the sustainable and smart mobility of people and goods based on operational and societal needs (CCAM Partnership) Societal Readiness Pilot," is a Horizon Research and Innovation Action (RIA) under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically within Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) Call 04-2025 (WP 2025) (HORIZON-CL5-2025-04). It aims to explore the operational and societal conditions for complementing the Operational Design Domain (ODD) of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) solutions through remote operations. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant.

The call opens for submission on May 6, 2025, and the deadline for submission is September 4, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The total budget for this topic is 12,000,000 EUR, and it is expected that around two grants will be awarded, each with a contribution of approximately 6,000,000 EUR.

The expected outcomes of the projects funded under this topic include:

A comprehensive set of principles, guidelines, and requirements for remote operations, clarifying operational complexities such as safety, cybersecurity, liability, privacy, certification, operator training, interoperability, and cross-border operations. This also involves establishing a standardized approach to extend the ODD of CCAM solutions.

Defined infrastructure prerequisites, particularly in technology and communications, emphasizing safe and reliable communication, especially considering SNS components for the automotive sector. This includes outlining technical standards and investments necessary for seamless integration with current transport systems, while considering the potential environmental impact.

Safety validation methodologies extended to remote operations, fostering acceptance and trust among road users in such CCAM systems.

Identification and description of at least two economically viable business cases for remote operations complementing the ODD of CCAM solutions, analysing economic costs and benefits, market potential, and scalability factors, and providing a clear value proposition for public or private stakeholders for each use case.

Understanding the human factors of the entire system, including in-vehicle and remote perspectives, as well as legal requirements and working conditions for remote operators, addressing cognitive load, fatigue, stress, ergonomic considerations, and the identification of essential skills. Establishment of key conditions for job quality, safety, up-to-date competences and acceptance of working conditions in diverse cultural contexts.

Responsiveness to a deeper understanding of the needs and concerns of diverse social groups involved in or potentially affected by the R&I development, considering gender and other social categories, and thereby increasing the potential for beneficial societal uptake, and building trust in results and outcomes.

Policy and governance recommendations in view of establishing new or updating existing legislation to cover remote operations, e.g., through clear descriptions of stakeholder roles and responsibilities that may vary for different types of remote operations.

The scope of the topic involves exploring the operational and societal conditions and prerequisites for complementing CCAM solutions through remote operations. Remote operations are defined as the remote monitoring, assisting, and operating of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) by a person located externally. The vehicle operates with a high degree of automation (SAE Level 4), but a human operator can monitor its actions and surroundings remotely and intervene, if needed. Intervention ranges from providing strategic guidance and tactical commands to determining vehicle manoeuvres and taking over control in scenarios that include, but are not limited to, emergency responses, system malfunctions, ADS system limits, or complex navigational challenges unforeseen by the CCAM system.

Proposals should explore two use cases focusing on remote operations on urban and rural public roads and/or confined areas, dealing with at least two of the following areas:

Transport of people: use cases that enhance public transport services (i.e., by fleets of remotely operated shared vehicles, including, if relevant, on-demand responsive transport) improving accessibility and mobility for users in all their diversity in terms of all characteristics (e.g., age, gender, disability, etc).

Transport of goods: use cases that optimise logistics (e.g., remotely operated delivery vehicles in urban environment), improving efficiency and sustainability.

Combination of people and goods transport: use cases of integrated solutions (e.g., remotely operated vehicles that transport goods during off-peak hours and convert into passenger transport services during peak times), improving vehicle utilisation, while addressing congestion and reducing environmental impact.

For each use case, proposals must evaluate operational and societal aspects that would enable remote operations of multiple ADSs in terms of business models, infrastructure needs, safety assurance, legislation, and organisational aspects, including cultural elements. Operator skills, performance, and situational awareness must also be addressed. The analysis of potential rebound effects and questions related to energy sufficiency and sustainability should not be neglected, and the use of generative AI should be considered where applicable.

The topic aims to understand all components of the complex system-of-systems, combining technological advancements with human-centred design and societal needs. Technological components include infrastructure support, communications, cyber-security, and key enabling technologies (including generative AI). Societal aspects must be identified through inclusive engagement of stakeholders for problem formulation, concepts development, co-creation, and co-assessment of deployment and operations.

Stakeholders could include user groups, public advocacy organisations, mobility companies, technology providers, public agencies, planners, community groups, industry associations, first responders, social partners, and workforce representatives. These stakeholders should be involved in building awareness, trust, and support for remote operations, identifying skill gaps, skill transferability of operators, and training needs.

The dimensions of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) reflection, inclusion, anticipation, and responsiveness should guide the exploration of technological components, involving relevant Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines.

The safety assurance of remote operations entails developing a corresponding validation methodology, considering the framework provided by EU 2022/1426 and building upon the results of the SUNRISE project, while seeking close coordination with other relevant Horizon projects.

This topic is a Societal-Readiness pilot, requiring an interdisciplinary approach to address societal needs and concerns, and effective contribution of relevant SSH expertise.

Projects resulting from this topic are expected to report on results to the European Partnership on CCAM and apply the European Common Evaluation Methodology (EU-CEM) for CCAM.

The general conditions for this call include admissibility conditions, eligible countries, other eligible conditions, financial and operational capacity and exclusion, evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement, and legal and financial set-up of the grants. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Application forms, evaluation forms, model grant agreements, and additional documents such as the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Framework Programme, Specific Programme Decision, EU Financial Regulation, and guidance documents are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

In summary, this funding opportunity seeks to advance the understanding and implementation of remote operations for connected and automated vehicles, addressing both technological and societal aspects to ensure safe, sustainable, and economically viable mobility solutions. It emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and responsible research and innovation to achieve societal readiness and build trust in these advanced mobility systems.

This opportunity is about exploring and defining the requirements, conditions, and methodologies needed to make remote operation of highly automated vehicles (SAE Level 4) a safe, reliable, and socially acceptable reality. It's not just about the technology; it's equally about understanding how this technology impacts society, the economy, and the workforce.

Imagine a future where a single operator can remotely monitor and assist multiple automated vehicles navigating complex urban or rural environments. This grant aims to pave the way for that future by addressing the key challenges:

Defining clear guidelines and standards for remote operations, covering everything from safety and cybersecurity to legal liability and operator training.

Identifying the necessary infrastructure, especially in communications, to ensure seamless and reliable remote control.

Developing safety validation methods that account for the unique aspects of remote operation.

Creating viable business models that demonstrate the economic benefits of remote operation.

Understanding the human factors involved, such as operator workload and skill requirements, and ensuring good working conditions.

Addressing societal concerns and ensuring that these technologies are inclusive and beneficial to all members of society.

In essence, this grant is a call to action for researchers, innovators, and stakeholders to work together to responsibly develop and deploy remote operation technologies, making transportation smarter, more sustainable, and more accessible for everyone. The successful projects will not only advance the technology but also build the necessary trust and acceptance to make it a widespread reality.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is open to a wide range of stakeholders, including user groups, public advocacy organizations, mobility companies, technology providers, public agencies, planners, community groups, industry associations, first responders, social partners, and workforce representatives. The call is part of Horizon Europe, so standard Horizon Europe eligibility conditions apply, which generally include legal entities from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some third countries. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) under the Horizon Europe program. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025).

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the nature of the projects, particularly the need for interdisciplinary approaches and diverse stakeholder involvement, suggests that a consortium is highly encouraged, if not required. Partner Search tools are available.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is for entities within the EU and associated countries. However, the opportunity details mention that a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The program targets the connected, cooperative, and automated mobility (CCAM) sector, with a focus on advancing remote operations for sustainable and smart mobility of people and goods. This includes transport of people, transport of goods, and combinations of both. It also touches on areas like ICT, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the call is part of the Horizon Europe program, which generally includes EU member states and associated countries. There is also a mention of non-EU/non-associated countries that may be eligible.

Project Stage: The project stage is geared towards research and innovation actions, as well as innovation actions, suggesting a focus on development, validation, and demonstration. The call is a Societal-Readiness pilot.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €1.6 million to €22.5 million. The indicative number of grants also varies, with some topics expected to fund one project and others expected to fund two.

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 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 competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement: The opportunity details do not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-01, focuses on "Advancing remote operations to enable the sustainable and smart mobility of people and goods based on operational and societal needs (CCAM Partnership) – Societal Readiness Pilot." It seeks to explore the operational and societal conditions necessary for the remote operation of connected, cooperative, and automated mobility (CCAM) solutions, particularly those at SAE Level 4 automation. The call encourages projects to investigate two use cases related to the transport of people, goods, or a combination of both in urban and rural settings. These projects should address business models, infrastructure needs, safety, legislation, and societal aspects, including operator skills and the potential use of generative AI. The call emphasizes a 'system-of-systems' approach, integrating technological advancements with human-centered design and societal needs. It also highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement, responsible research and innovation (RRI), and the development of safety validation methodologies. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and projects are expected to contribute to the European Partnership on CCAM and apply the European Common Evaluation Methodology (EU-CEM). Eligible applicants include a wide range of stakeholders, such as mobility companies, technology providers, public agencies, and community groups, primarily from EU member states and associated countries, with potential participation from some third countries. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of September 4, 2025. The indicative budget for the HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-01 topic is 12,000,000 EUR and it is expected that around 2 grants will be awarded.