Open topic on secured and facilitated crossing of external borders

The Horizon Europe Programme features a grant opportunity called HORIZON-CL3, which aims to enhance the security and efficiency of border crossings at the EU's external borders. This initiative specifically requests proposals addressing new challenges related to border management and seeks innovative solutions that improve the experience of travellers and border authorities while ensuring security and monitoring movements, ultimately supporting the Schengen area and protecting fundamental rights. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, public authorities (e.g., border and coast guard agencies), and NGOs involved in security and border management. Legal entities from countries such as China are excluded from participating in this grant. The funding type is a lump-sum grant under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions, with a total budget of €9 million designated for this specific topic. Typically, each project is expected to receive around €3 million, with funding levels ranging from €1 million to €5 million. A consortium requirement suggests that proposals must involve at least two border or coast guard authorities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries. This collaboration is essential to foster multi-stakeholder engagement in developing effective security solutions. The project stage includes research, development, and innovation actions, focusing on technologies such as secure travel credentials, biometrics, and risk assessment capabilities, among other areas. The application process involves a single-stage open call, with an indicative submission deadline set for November 2025. Participants should propose solutions that address various themes including the integration of digital technologies, legal aspects, and societal implications such as gender sensitivity and human rights considerations. The grant encourages projects that incorporate future digitalized travel solutions, improve cost-efficiency and energy-efficiency, and focus on key technological advancements for border management. Proposals must also be mindful of environmental impacts and include a mid-term deliverable assessing project outcomes. Overall, this Horizon Europe call supports research and innovation endeavors that enhance EU border security and facilitate legitimate travel while balancing security with the protection of fundamental rights. The goal is to create effective and humane border management systems through collaboration between authorities, researchers, and technology developers. The call emphasizes a practical focus on developing solutions that align with the strategic goals of the EU Border Management Strategy.

The Horizon Europe Programme, under the Civil Security for Society call (HORIZON-CL3-2025-01), includes the topic HORIZON-CL3, which focuses on secured and facilitated crossing of external borders. This topic aims to improve the border crossing experience for travellers and border authorities while maintaining security and monitoring movements across EU external borders, supporting the Schengen area, reducing illegal movements, and protecting fundamental rights.

The scope of this topic encourages proposals that address new challenges and offer creative solutions for enhancing the capabilities of practitioners involved in border checks. It considers scenarios in Europe’s border regions impacted by geopolitical instabilities and the need for improved surveillance. Mechanisms for detecting threats in travel flows are also within the scope. Proposals should build upon and not duplicate efforts from previous Horizon Europe calls (Effective Management of EU External Borders 2021-2022 or 2023-2024).

Proposals can address capabilities related to future digitalised travel credentials (DTC), including Type-1 and Type-2 credentials, integration with secure digital citizenship wallets, identification and verification methods, and resource optimisation. The European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) Capability Roadmap emphasizes swift, simple, and automated legal border crossings, with the ability to detect unauthorised crossings of persons or goods.

Relevant technologies and solutions include secure and private data approaches, fuzzy searches, data communication, translation, and sharing solutions, biometrics, age assessment methods, fraudulent document detection, automation, and interoperability for border check systems.

Projects should integrate perspectives of safeguarding and promoting human rights, inputs from human rights, law, and ethical perspectives, consideration of societal dimensions including gender sensitivity, and aspects of cybersecurity. Proposals that lower environmental impact, improve cost-efficiency and energy-efficiency, and enhance operational autonomy are encouraged. Participation of Police and/or Customs Authorities is welcome. A mid-term deliverable assessing project outcomes by security practitioners is required.

General conditions for this topic include:

2. Eligible Countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions may apply to non-EU/non-Associated Countries, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions include restrictions for the protection of European communication networks. Additional eligibility criteria require the active involvement of at least 2 Border or Coast Guard Authorities from at least 2 different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Projects using satellite data must utilise Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C 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 Lump Sum MGA.

Call-specific instructions include a detailed budget table (HE LS) and guidance on lump sums.

An Information on Security Practitioners Template is also 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

Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

The budget overview for the topic HORIZON-CL3 is €9,000,000, with an indicative number of grants around 3. The opening date is planned for 12 June 2025, and the deadline is 12 November 2025.

Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited on the portal. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

This Horizon Europe call focuses on enhancing security and efficiency at EU external borders. It seeks innovative solutions that improve the border crossing experience while maintaining robust security measures. The call encourages projects that address emerging challenges, leverage digital technologies, and respect fundamental rights. By fostering collaboration between border authorities, researchers, and technology providers, the EU aims to create safer, more efficient, and human-rights-respecting border management systems. The lump sum funding model promotes efficient resource allocation and outcome-oriented project management. The involvement of border and coast guard authorities is essential to ensure the practical relevance and effectiveness of the proposed solutions. The call is structured to support research and innovation actions that can lead to significant improvements in border security and traveller experience, contributing to the overall security and prosperity of the European Union.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, under the Civil Security for Society program, aims to improve the security and efficiency of border crossings at the EU's external borders. The call seeks proposals that address new challenges and offer creative solutions for border management, with a focus on maintaining security, monitoring movements, supporting the Schengen area, and protecting fundamental rights. Projects can explore technologies like secure data approaches, biometrics, fraudulent document detection, and automation. A key requirement is the involvement of at least two Border or Coast Guard Authorities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the call is open to entities from EU Member States, Associated Countries, and potentially non-EU countries. The call encompasses various topics with different budget allocations, ranging from research and innovation actions to pre-commercial procurement, all contributing to the overarching goal of enhanced and secure border management. The application process is single-stage, with a submission deadline in November 2025.