Open topic on supporting disruptive technological innovations for civil security

HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-SSRI-01 under the Horizon Europe program targets civil security through the integration of disruptive technological innovations. It aims to strengthen preparedness, response capabilities, and risk mitigation related to various security threats. The funding is structured as grants for research and innovation actions, specifically designed for collaborative projects.

The opportunity requires at least two relevant practitioners and one Research and Technology Organisation as beneficiaries, emphasizing a consortium approach. Eligible participants include universities, research institutions, public authorities, industry partners, and nonprofit organizations, who must all come from EU member states or associated countries. Non-EU and non-associated countries may participate under specific provisions.

Projects must primarily focus on early-stage research with low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL <4) and aim to transition innovations into practical security applications. The indicative EU contribution per project is around €1.5 million, with a total budget of approximately €3 million for two expected projects. The application process involves a single-stage submission cycle, opening on May 6, 2026, and closing on November 5, 2026.

While specific success rates aren't provided, previous calls have indicated competitive evaluation processes. Although co-funding is encouraged, it's not explicitly required for this call. The support includes direct financial contributions and access to technical guidance and partner search opportunities.

Ultimately, the goal is to bridge the gap between research and operational requirements in civil security, ensuring that technological advancements are aligned with real-world needs and ethical considerations, fostering a more adaptive security landscape across Europe.

This EU funding opportunity, under the Horizon Europe program, specifically the Civil Security for Society 2026 call (HORIZON-CL3-2026-01), aims to integrate disruptive technological innovations into civil security. The goal is to strengthen research and innovation activities that enhance preparedness, response capabilities, and risk mitigation related to diverse security threats.

The program focuses on bridging the gap between early-stage research, characterized by low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), and applied security solutions. It seeks to ensure that emerging technologies are effectively transitioned into operational use. The emphasis is on disruptive solutions that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of civil security operations, making them robust, reliable, and scalable to meet the needs of security practitioners.

Key aspects of the program include:

Prioritizing disruptive solutions: Proposals should focus on technologies that can significantly improve civil security operations, offering better performance or reduced costs. Disruptive technological innovations are defined as breakthrough technologies starting at low or very low TRL (<4) and holding the promise of inducing a paradigm shift in the way civil security operations are currently carried out.

Structured pathway for low TRL innovations: The program aims to create a structured pathway for transitioning low TRL innovations into practical applications. This includes rigorous testing and validation processes to ensure safety, performance, and interoperability.

Collaboration: Proposals should promote strong collaboration between researchers, public authorities, industry partners, and end-users. These partnerships will help align technological advancements with real-world security needs, facilitating the co-development of innovative and operationally relevant solutions.

Ethical considerations: Emerging technologies must be ethically sound, transparent, and accessible to ensure their successful adoption.

Alignment with EU strategic priorities: Proposers are encouraged to consult relevant technology foresight exercises to ensure alignment with EU long-term strategic priorities.

Considerations for Strengthened Security Research and Innovation Destination: Proposals are expected to address all applicable considerations expressed in the Introduction of the Strengthened Security Research and Innovation Destination.

Expected outcomes of the program include:

Improved preparedness through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies tailored to emerging security challenges.

Enhanced risk mitigation capabilities.

Accelerated integration of disruptive innovations into civil security frameworks.

A more resilient and adaptive civil security landscape across Europe.

Eligibility conditions include:

Admissibility: Proposals must adhere to the page limits and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form.

Eligible countries: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions are available for participants from non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Other eligible conditions: Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks. The active involvement of at least 2 relevant practitioners and 1 Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) as beneficiaries is required. If projects use satellite-based data, they must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

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

Evaluation and award: 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.

Legal and financial set-up: The granting authority may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years after the action's end. Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum.

The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including standard forms for HE RIA, IA, CSA, RI, PCP, PPI, COFUND, FPA, MSCA PF/DN/SE/COFUND, ERC STG/COG/ADG/POC/SYG, and EIC PATHFINDER CHALLENGES/OPEN/TRANSITION/STEP/Accelerator.

Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including standard forms for HE RIA/IA/CSA, HE PCP/PPI, HE COFUND, HE FPA, HE MSCA, and HE EIC PATHFINDER CHALLENGES/OPEN/TRANSITION/Accelerator.

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, 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 Programme 2026-2027, EIC Work Programme 2026, ERC Work Programme 2026, 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, rules for legal entity validation, and the EU Grants AGA.

The budget overview for 2026 includes various topics under the Civil Security for Society call, with opening dates planned for 06 May 2026 and deadlines on 05 November 2026. The topics cover HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA), HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement (HORIZON-PCP), and HORIZON Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (HORIZON-PPI).

The indicative number of grants and contributions vary by topic, with budgets ranging from EUR 1,330,000 to EUR 12,000,000.

Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited by LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

This funding opportunity is designed to foster the development and integration of innovative technologies to enhance civil security across Europe. It encourages collaboration between researchers, industry, and public authorities to create effective and ethically sound solutions for emerging security challenges. The program aims to bridge the gap between research and practical application, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies are transitioned into real-world operations to improve preparedness, response capabilities, and risk mitigation. The lump sum funding model and the emphasis on disruptive technologies with low TRL levels highlight the program's commitment to supporting high-risk, high-reward projects that have the potential to transform the civil security landscape.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include research and technology organizations (RTOs), public authorities, industry partners, end-users, and security practitioners. The call specifically requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 2 relevant practitioners and 1 Research and Technology Organisation (RTO).

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe Programme. The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) used is the HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. There are also HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA), HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement (HORIZON-PCP) and HORIZON Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (HORIZON-PPI).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium of multiple applicants. Specifically, it mandates the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 2 relevant practitioners and 1 Research and Technology Organisation (RTO).

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries that have made specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Restrictions may apply for the protection of European communication networks.

Target Sector: The program targets the civil security sector, focusing on the integration of disruptive technological innovations to enhance preparedness, response capabilities, and risk mitigation related to diverse security threats. It also targets research and innovation activities, public procurement of innovative solutions, and pre-commercial procurement.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are explicitly mentioned, but the opportunity is open to EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries.

Project Stage: The project stage targets early-stage, low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) research (TRL <4) with the aim of transitioning these innovations into applied security solutions and operational use. The projects should focus on transitioning low TRL innovations into practical applications, ensuring rigorous testing and validation processes.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and type of action. Some topics have a budget of several million euros, with indicative grants ranging from around €1.33 million to €6 million or more. For example, HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-BM-01 has a budget of €12 million and aims to award around 2 grants, implying roughly €6 million per grant. HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-SSRI-02 has a budget of €5.83 million and aims to award around 1 grant.

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 are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential success rate. For instance, a topic with a budget of €3 million and an indicative number of 2 grants suggests a higher success rate than a topic with the same budget but aiming for only 1 grant.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. However, Horizon Europe typically encourages applicants to maximize the impact of EU funding by seeking additional sources of funding and investment.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, Civil Security for Society 2026 (HORIZON-CL3-2026-01), aims to bolster civil security by integrating disruptive technological innovations into practical applications. It seeks to bridge the gap between early-stage research and real-world security solutions, focusing on technologies with low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). The call encourages collaborative projects involving researchers, public authorities, industry partners, and end-users to develop ethically sound, transparent, and accessible security solutions. Funding is provided as lump sum grants, with varying budgets depending on the specific action type (RIA, IA, CSA, PCP, PPI). Eligible applicants include research organizations, technology organizations, public entities, industry players, and security practitioners from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially other countries with specific funding arrangements. The call emphasizes the importance of aligning proposed activities with EU long-term strategic priorities and addresses considerations outlined in the Strengthened Security Research and Innovation Destination. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a planned opening date of May 6, 2026, and a deadline of November 5, 2026.