Enhancing physical protection of critical infrastructures

The HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-INFRA-01 grant opportunity focuses on enhancing the physical protection of critical infrastructures under the Horizon Europe initiative. This call is classified under the Innovation Actions, utilizing a Lump Sum Grant model. The expected opening date is May 5, 2027, with a submission deadline of November 4, 2027, at 17:00 Brussels time.

Eligible applicants include a diverse range of entities such as research organizations, public and private sector institutions involved in critical infrastructure, law enforcement, and security companies, provided they include at least three relevant practitioners active in critical infrastructure from EU Member States or Associated Countries. Entities controlled by China are ineligible.

The funding type is a grant with a total budget of €12 million, allowing for contributions of €6 million per project, aiming to support 2 projects. The focus of these projects will be on developing innovative solutions to counter emergent threats to critical infrastructure, which include improved risk assessments, advanced surveillance systems, and effective training curricula. The target sectors span energy, transport, banking, health, water systems, digital infrastructure, public administration, and food production.

The project stage is aimed at demonstration and validation of technology and solutions, placing emphasis on bringing proven concepts closer to market readiness. The application follows a single-stage submission process without preliminary review stages, streamlining the preparation requirements for applicants.

There is no co-funding requirement, which simplifies funding access. However, the expectations are systematically high, suggesting a potential success rate below 10% due to limited funding opportunities in the context of projected proposal submissions.

The call emphasizes addressing the risks associated with the misuse of new technologies, climate-related vulnerabilities, and aims to foster collaborative efforts among participating entities. It also highlights the integration of gender considerations into research and innovation scopes.

Applicants are encouraged to develop comprehensive proposals that outline their strategies for enhancing infrastructure resilience against modern threats, leading to the development of validation methodologies, operational frameworks, and effective security protocols as practical outputs. The emphasis is on coordination with related projects to maximize resource use and minimize redundancies.

Overall, this Horizon Europe call represents a significant funding opportunity for enhancing security measures across critical sectors in response to contemporary threats, encouraging innovative integration of technology in safeguarding European infrastructures.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-INFRA-01, focusing on enhancing the physical protection of critical infrastructures. It falls under the Civil Security for Society 2027 call within the Horizon Europe program. The action type is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA), utilizing a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model grant agreement. It is a forthcoming call with a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 05 May 2027, and the deadline is 04 November 2027 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of this call are: improved physical risks and hazards assessment capabilities for critical infrastructure operators and authorities; perimeter security, access control, surveillance systems, remote sensors, and other relevant systems capable of coping with threats from misuse of new and emerging technologies; development of improved operational procedures, including incidents management and training curricula; and the development of innovative solutions for critical infrastructure resilience, utilizing recent advancements in spatial planning, security-by-design, preparedness-by-design, and nature-based solutions using an inclusive approach that addresses diverse needs.

The scope of this call emphasizes that the physical protection of critical infrastructure must advance to address risks and hazards stemming from the malicious use of new and emerging technologies, as well as the evolving operational environment. It aims to improve safety and security measures against known and emerging threats. Entities providing essential services should reduce their vulnerability to threats such as improvised explosive devices, ramming attacks, sabotage, uncooperative and hostile unmanned platforms including swarm robotics, penetration of access points by unauthorised individuals and vehicles, unauthorised access to hazardous material storage, removal of critical components, or deterioration of critical infrastructure due to age, inadequate design or changed operational conditions, including climate.

Proposals should identify and analyse possible new challenges for the physical security of critical entities and develop adequate tools, recommendations, manuals, and training programs for relevant operators and authorities. Where relevant, proposals should utilize nature-based solutions and respect principles of biodiversity, taking into account interdependencies in the context of supply chains and their impact on physical protection.

Coordination is expected among successful proposals from this topic and projects funded under HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-INFRA-01 and HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-INFRA-02 to avoid duplication, share resources, and exploit complementarities. The integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content should be addressed if relevant to the objectives of the research effort.

Regarding admissibility conditions, proposal page limits and layout are 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. Some non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Other eligible conditions include restrictions on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas, where entities directly or indirectly controlled by China are not eligible. There are also restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.

Additional eligibility conditions require the involvement of at least 3 relevant practitioners from EU Member States or Associated Countries as beneficiaries. These practitioners should represent one or several of the following portfolios: critical infrastructure operator, authority responsible for critical infrastructure resilience, civil protection authority, law enforcement, or private companies providing security for critical infrastructure. Applicants must provide information about these security practitioners in the application form.

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in 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.

The granting authority may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years after the end of the action, as set out in Annex 5.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreements (MGA) are available in the Submission System. A range of standard application forms and evaluation forms are listed, including those for HE RIA, IA, CSA, RI, PCP, PPI, COFUND, FPA, MSCA, ERC, and EIC actions.

Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements (HE MGA, HE Unit MGA, Lump Sum MGA, Operating Grants MGA, Framework Partnership Agreement FPA), call-specific instructions, a detailed budget table (HE LS), information on financial support to third parties (HE), information on clinical studies (HE), and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programmes for 2025 and 2023-2025, EIC Work Programme 2025, ERC Work Programme 2026, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the 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, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview provides a list of topics, their budget in EUR for the year 2027, the stage (single-stage), opening date (2027-05-05), deadline (2027-11-04), contributions, and indicative number of grants. The topics listed are: HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-BM-01, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-BM-02, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-BM-03, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-DRS-01, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-DRS-02, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-DRS-03, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-DRS-04, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-FCT-01, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-FCT-02, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-FCT-03, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-FCT-04, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-FCT-05, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-INFRA-01, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-INFRA-02, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-SSRI-01, HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-SSRI-02 and HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-SSRI-03.

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

The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

This Horizon Europe call is a significant opportunity for entities involved in civil security to develop and implement innovative solutions for enhancing the physical protection of critical infrastructures. It encourages a comprehensive approach, considering emerging technologies, operational environments, and diverse threats, while also promoting collaboration and the integration of nature-based solutions. The lump sum funding model and the requirement for practitioner involvement highlight the focus on practical, impactful outcomes.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated but can be inferred to include entities such as critical infrastructure operators, authorities responsible for critical infrastructure resilience, civil protection authorities, law enforcement, and private companies providing security for critical infrastructure, research organizations, universities, SMEs, and large enterprises. The requirement for involvement of at least 3 relevant practitioners from EU Member States or Associated Countries suggests a broad range of eligible applicants.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA) being a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. The actions are HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement (HORIZON-PCP).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium of multiple applicants. The text mentions the need for coordination among successful proposals and the involvement of at least 3 relevant practitioners from EU Member States or Associated Countries as beneficiaries.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. The text also mentions 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 target sector is civil security for society, with a focus on the physical protection of critical infrastructure. This includes sectors such as energy, transport, ICT, and other essential services reliant on critical infrastructure. The program also targets innovation in spatial planning, security-by-design, preparedness-by-design and nature-based solutions.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions EU Member States and Associated Countries. It also refers to non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects. China is mentioned as a country whose entities, if directly or indirectly controlled by it, are not eligible to participate in the action.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the type of action. HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) suggests projects that are closer to demonstration and deployment, while HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) indicates projects focused on research and development activities. HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Actions) indicates projects focused on networking, coordination, and dissemination. HORIZON-PCP (Pre-commercial Procurement) indicates projects focused on pre-commercial procurement.

Funding Amount: The funding amount varies depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €2,000,000 to €14,000,000. The indicative number of grants per topic also varies, typically between 1 and 4.

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

Nature of Support: The 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 cannot be determined from the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, under the Civil Security for Society program, focuses on enhancing the physical protection of critical infrastructures. It aims to improve risk assessment capabilities, enhance security systems against emerging threats, develop improved operational procedures, and foster innovative resilience solutions. The call is open to a consortium of applicants from EU Member States and Associated Countries, including critical infrastructure operators, authorities, law enforcement, and private security companies. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with varying amounts depending on the specific action type, ranging from innovation actions to research and innovation actions, coordination and support actions, and pre-commercial procurement. The application process is a single-stage open call, with a planned opening date in May 2027 and a deadline in November 2027. The call encourages the integration of gender dimension in research and innovation content and coordination among related projects to maximize impact and avoid duplication.