Grants for Researchers in EU

Expected Outcome: Upon completion of the Action, the European HPC and AI ecosystems will be strengthened through an effective network of AI Factories supporting the adoption and use of HPC in the development of trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) by startups and SMEs, but also by the private and public sector in general, taking into account the specific needs of the local and national ecosystems. The coordinated network will facilitate synergies and assets reutilisation, support, training, staff exchange, knowledge transfer between, AIF+As, as well as prevent duplication of efforts. The Action will ensure the network of AIF+As will be embedded in an enhanced European AI/ HPC ecosystem with strong links to other European HPC, AI, and data initiatives (see above). Moreover, the Action will result in: Contribution to the realisation of the EuroHPC overall and specific objectives. A common governance baseline across AIF+As to ensure the full interoperability and the collective compliance or the network of AIF+As. Seamless user experience across AIF+As, with users receiving a consistent offer of core services. Effective coordination and exchange of best practices and information…

Expected Outcome: The targeted outcomes reflect the above challenges and cover a comprehensive Front End module design which: Covers the FR3 range as defined by the relevant Agenda Item of WRC 27 (7 to 15 GHz range) with possible extension up to 24 GHz if required by some regional implementations, with inherent tuning capabilities to accommodate potential regional variations. Mitigates interferences with incumbent FR3 band users and maximises sharing capabilities across the band in line with the European regulatory approach on spectrum sharing. Enables integration of a large number of antenna elements beyond the State of the Art and support massive MIMO implementation with compensation of increased path loss compared to 5G FR1 implementations. Enables at least an order-of-magnitude increase in RF processing compared to 5G FR1 implementations. Enables 5G cell site reuse and minimises deployment complexity on top of 5G sites deployment. Enables low-cost and low energy implementation of the elementary constituent modules, efficient packaging and is mainly based on the integration of microelectronics heterogeneous technologies where European industry has strong expertise and…

Expected Outcome: Battery recycling is of strategic importance for both Europe and India, not only to keep raw materials in the respective territories but also to reduce the environmental impact of the recycling process. R&I in this area has been identified as a priority by the EU-India Trade and Technology Council’s Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technology to reinforce bilateral cooperation. Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Battery recyclers based in the EU and India benefit from of the improved sustainability, safety, and affordability of innovative recycling processes. Stakeholders on battery recycling based in the EU and India benefit from each other’s experience on recycling logistics, including the informal processes and supply chain constraints. The cooperation between EU and India key researchers, institutions and industries which are active in battery recycling is supported and strengthened. Scope: Projects are expected to build a jointly operated recycling pilot line on Indian soil demonstrating innovative recycling processes for lithium-ion batteries going beyond the current state of the art in terms of…

Expected Outcome: Objectives and profile of the ERC Plus Grant Principal Investigator The ERC Plus Grant supports outstanding Principal Investigators who address a major scientific challenge. Applications for ERC Plus Grants should be for projects that could not be carried out with a regular ERC grant. Applicants should explain how the proposed project aims go beyond those of a regular ERC project, for example, because they have a vision to transform their field or open a new field of research. Scholars at all career stages can apply for an ERC Plus Grant if they have an outstanding record of scientific achievement at the forefront of their field. Their intellectual leadership will be evaluated in comparison to peers at their own career stage. It is expected that a researcher may be the Principal Investigator of only one ERC Plus Grant in their lifetime. Applicants should be aware that every year, only some 30 ERC Plus Grants can be awarded across all fields and all career stages, compared to approximately 1000 Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grants. This level of competitiveness should be taken into account when considering whether to submit an application. Size of ERC Plus…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Advance in the achievement of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan’s research and innovation priorities and targets for wind energy; Efficient and effective support to wind energy research and innovation through alignment and cooperation among different actors, avoiding fragmentation of efforts; Energy producers and consumers benefit from increased performance of wind energy technologies with the focus on efficiency and flexibility, reduced cost, improved reliability and sustainability, operation and maintenance, safety, robustness and security during all stages of the lifetime of a wind energy farm from installation, operation and maintenance to decommissioning; Increased contribution of wind energy to the energy system, with minimal impacts on health and the environment (notably biodiversity and pollution) and at the lowest possible cost. Scope: The action contributes to address the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan’s research and innovation priorities and targets for wind energy, as defined by the Implementation Working Group (IWG) on wind energy, the European…

Expected Outcome: Proposals are expected to contribute to all following points: Significantly reduced EU dependency on imported battery-grade raw materials, specifically emerging technologies and carbon-based electrode materials. Established European value chains for next-generation battery materials, enhancing the EU's technological leadership and strategic autonomy. Scope: Proposals under this topic are expected to address all aspects for one of the following categories: 1. Sustainable Processing and Refining of next generation batteries-grade Material, delivering all of the following: Development and validation of innovative, environmentally friendly refining technologies for producing battery-grade metals and materials suitable for next-generation battery chemistries. This covers raw and advanced electrode materials for the components of sodium-ion batteries or beyond generation 3 [1] lithium-ion batteries Development of processes achieving significant reductions in carbon and ecological footprint, emissions of pollutants, energy usage, and chemical inputs. The selected processes should not negatively impact any of the aspects above or cause significant harm. Validation of…

Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the EU initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing and the EU Life Sciences Strategy as well as the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Clean Industrial Deal, the European Chemical Industry Action Plan, the upcoming EU Biotechnology and Circular Economy Acts. Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Increased added value of residual biomass for biorefinery applications. Availability of a wider portfolio of sustainable bio-based products via industrial biotech. Robust, scalable and efficient biotech process(es) applicable to residual biomass. Scope: Diversifying biomass feedstock resources for bio-based products is key to contribute to resilience and strategic autonomy of bio-based operations. Industrial biotechnologies have showcased that they can play a key role to address residual biomass into valuable bio-based products. However, scaling up from research to demo scale requires addressing systemic and technical challenges. This entails the integration of adequate pretreatment and conversion processes, tailored to the targeted residual biomass and its…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Increased evidence of factors such as physiological, behavioural, social, environmental and cultural that influence how different user and demographic groups perceive and use smart, secured, integrated energy efficient building systems, and how it affects the building whole-life cycle and energy savings, as well as occupant satisfaction, health and well-being; The design and operation of smart building systems and smart buildings are improved making them more user-friendly and effective. Scope: Significant investments have been made in developing hardware and software for smart buildings. There is still limited understanding how smart buildings solutions impact the energy performance of buildings and users’ comfort in practice. Research is required on the technical, social, and economic factors that influence how different groups – defined by their social, educational, age, and financial status – use and interact with smart buildings and systems. The whole-life cycle impacts of smart building have to be better understood, from design and construction to operation, maintenance,…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Better understanding of the factors and interdependencies that influence levels of renovation of rental properties in the affordable housing sector; Increased number of policy makers revise policies, regulations, instruments and business models to increase the rate of renovation of rental properties in the affordable housing sector. Scope: The Renovation Wave strategy sets out measures across the whole renovation chain that aim to increase the rate and depth of renovations. One of the key principles for housing renovation towards 2030 and 2050 is affordability, i.e. making energy efficient, comfortable, healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient buildings widely available, in particular for medium and lower-income households and vulnerable people and areas. A better understanding of the impact of current policy frameworks on the affordable housing sector and on energy poverty is needed. Proposals are expected to address all of the following: Research the effectiveness and implications of existing policies at different levels of governance (from local to European), regulations,…

Expected Outcome: Proposals should contribute to the first two expected outcomes, and either the one listed under Focus 1, or the one listed under Focus 2. The potential of art-science and/or technology collaborations to address societal challenges and drive innovation is better understood. Guidance, toolkits, and actionable methodologies are developed to promote these collaborations, providing policymakers, professionals, and training organisations with clarity on intervention scope, applicability across various fields, and evaluation methods, metrics, or tools. New and existing national, European or international networks for art-science-technology collaborations are established or strengthened, expanding opportunities for artists to engage with science and technology. Focus 1 Approaches, methodologies and model interventions for integrating arts and creative practices to enhance soft skills across public and private sectors are developed, tested and disseminated. Focus 2 The effectiveness of critical artists’ engagement in interdisciplinary teams is demonstrated alongside the assessment of the viability of research-intensive emerging technologies through at least three low…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Enhanced understanding, accompanied by documented good practices, showing what works to encourage multilingualism in society and what type of practices have led to safeguarding linguistic heritage, including lesser used, endangered and historically marginalised languages. Rigorous policy-relevant evidence, strategies and policy recommendations for promoting multilingualism and safeguarding linguistic diversity are available to policy makers, and users are involved in their development, especially the younger generation. Non-linguistic benefits of language maintenance and revitalisation are well documented, communicated and understood by different stakeholders. Citizens are empowered and engaged in the sustainable management of their own linguistic heritage and resources, with a focus on intergenerational dialogue and education activities, with particular attention to communities where oral transmission is the primary mode of language preservation. Maps and visual presentations showing the linguistic diversity in Europe are available, including a variety of existing languages (regional and minority…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: EU institutions, Member States and decision-makers worldwide, relevant international organisations, civil society organisations and other societal actors have a better shared understanding of the systemic challenges and the underlying drivers and motivations that undermine managing global commons sustainably. EU institutions, Member States and decision-makers worldwide, relevant international organisations, as well as academies of science, higher education institutions and research-performing organisations are better equipped with the tools needed to improve the science-policy interface in the area of foreign and security policies in general, and multilateral / national science advisory bodies in the field of foreign policy in particular with a recognition of the need to engage citizens in a more participatory and inclusive approach to research and policy-making. Rules-based multilateralism is strengthened by the development of concepts, methods, processes, and information relevant for decision-making that foster the sustainable governance of global commons within the evolving geopolitical…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Availability and integration of advanced, trustworthy, energy-efficient perception systems, exploiting technological advancements of Generative AI (GenAI) to enhance situational awareness and support safe decision-making; Enhanced Vulnerable Road User (VRU) safety, based on elevated, more temper-proof perception and understanding of their behaviour and intention predictions; Enhanced robustness of CCAM systems - both on-board and on the infrastructure side - in critical situations due to their training, virtual testing and validation in scenarios generated by GenAI, complementing existing scenario databases for the testing and validation of CCAM systems; Enhanced understanding of the relevance and limitations of using GenAI for CCAM; Tools and harmonised approaches for the use of GenAI in mobility technology development, training and validation, as well as for systemic applications such as traffic management and remote control, integrating them into existing approaches. Scope: Pilots and demonstrations using Level 3 and 4 vehicle services face major challenges in perception and…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Provide policymakers with a more detailed understanding of the contribution of basic skills on the economy in the short and medium term, with a focus on their contribution to productivity and innovation, to sustain EU competitiveness and growth. Develop actionable advice about how, in a lifelong perspective, education and training systems can help foster basic skills. Promote productivity, innovation, competitiveness and growth, including by reducing gender, disability and socioeconomic gaps in basic skills. Scope: In the context of the Union of Skills, the 2025 European Commission’s Action Plan on Basic Skills identifies five basic skills: literacy, mathematics (including also financial literacy), science, digital and citizenship. Strong basic skill levels among young people and adults are key to sustaining EU productivity, innovation, competitiveness and growth, as also explained in the 2024 Draghi Report [1] . Other key EU initiatives support lifelong learning as a driver for productivity, innovation, and economic growth, for instance the 2022 Council Recommendation encouraging the…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Provide policymakers, education and training institutions, and social partners with a solid understanding of which competences young people and workers need to support the EU economy towards the green transition to reach carbon neutrality and protect natural ecosystems. Develop actionable advice to policymakers and education and training institutions about which education and training programmes and policy measures can promote the acquisition of those competences by young people and workers in a lifelong perspective, including the gender and disability dimensions. Provide policymakers with guidance on how to address the interconnection between fostering the competences for the green transition and those for the digital transition. Scope: Environmental challenges have been one of the key drivers of labour demand and skills supply across all sectors for the past years. More data and analysis from research on competences that young people and workers need for the green transition are warranted to properly implement the Union of Skills and support people in upskilling and reskilling. The…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Policymakers, educators, and other relevant actors have tools and recommendations to put in place more opportunities for lifelong civic and citizenship [1] learning, in support of democracy and democratic participation, including by relying on the opportunities offered by digital means, notably civic tech. Policymakers at local, regional, national and EU level have tools and recommendations for ensuring the participation of citizens in democratic life, whatever their background, especially those who face barriers to participation in democratic processes. Scope: A healthy democracy relies on citizens being able to make informed democratic choices, in free and fair elections. Meaningful and inclusive citizens’ participation and engagement can further complement and reinforce representative democracies and foster trust in public institutions. Education plays a major role in supporting active interest in democratic participation and citizen engagement. Accessible education in matters of democracy and participation in public-policy making is a lifelong process that concerns all age groups in society…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Generate rigorous, policy-relevant evidence on the factors that may influence students, researchers, and high-skilled workers from non-EU countries to move to and remain in the EU. Provide policymakers and higher education/research institutions with guidance on which policies and programmes could be effective in attracting talented students, researchers and high-skilled workers from non-EU countries to the EU. Develop actionable advice to policymakers and higher education/research institutions about how to retain talented students, researchers and high-skilled workers from non-EU countries to ensure a long-term positive impact on the EU economy’s innovation and competitiveness. Provide evidence-based policy insights/options to improve the coherence of migration pathways for skilled talent across the EU. Support the development of more flexible and attractive mobility schemes, reducing administrative barriers, increasing accessibility and enhancing retention mechanisms to enhance the EU’s competitiveness in research, innovation, and cultural exchange. Scope: The EU’s ability to compete on a…

Expected Outcome: Project should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Research funders, policymakers and research communities in the social sciences and humanities (SSH) are provided with a multi-annual R&I programme on social transformations and resilience, responding to megatrends like climate change and biodiversity loss, digitalisation, demographic changes and unexpected shocks. Research investments on social protection and essential services, future of work, education and skills, and a fair transition to climate neutrality are increased. Stakeholders, including social partners and civil society, and policymakers are provided with evidence-based knowledge, tools and innovative solutions, which contribute to new policies and strategies for strengthening resilience, fairness, inclusiveness and social cohesion at European, national and regional level. Scope: Europe is undergoing critical social transformations driven by macro drivers of change, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, digitalisation and demographic change, which have been accelerated by events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. These transformations…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: EU national and local policymakers develop and implement effective strategies for sustainable peace and democratic reconstruction in post-conflict areas, promoting stability, inclusivity, equity, security, human rights, and strengthening integrity and anticorruption measures to ensure transparent, accountable, and ethical use of reconstruction aid. EU and national policymakers inform their decision-making with evidence-based recommendations on international cooperation, EU democracy support, and civil society engagement in post-conflict reconstruction, leading to more effective, inclusive and sustainable reconstruction efforts. Local civil society organisations and community groups, with a focus on persons and groups in a vulnerable situation in post-conflict countries, provide guidance and support to educators, media professionals, public administrators, and other stakeholders on promoting reconciliation, accountability, and sustainable peace. Specialised service providers, including NGOs and community organisations, offer support services and programmes to veterans and the persons and groups…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: The concept of sustainable competitiveness is analysed taking into account the shifts in geopolitics, global trade patterns, as well as changes in climate, the environment (including biodiversity loss [1] ), technology and demography. Policymakers are provided with recommendations and innovative solutions, including a toolbox to boost Member States and Associated Countries (labour) productivity while ensuring high social and environmental standards and increasing competitiveness within planetary boundaries. Scope: The Future of European competitiveness report (also known as the Draghi report) [2] analysed and discussed the reason for European declining competitiveness, productivity and growth vis-a-vis its main competitors. A competitive economy is defined as an economy whose sustained rate of productivity is able to drive growth and, consequently, income and welfare. Both the economy and the European social model have to adapt to the great drivers of change, including demography, technology, global trade patterns, climate, and geopolitical shifts. From its side, the European social model is…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Deepened understanding and comprehensive evaluation of cultural policy models, creative industry ecosystems, and strategies for promoting creative industries across world regions, identifying good practices, success stories and replicable models. Innovative practices, policy approaches, shared challenges, and opportunities for cross-regional collaboration and global development of creative industries are identified. International equal partnerships and collaborations are established to exchange cultural policy approaches, boost creative industries, and/or support collaborative production or co-creation, facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity building among participating actors. Actionable strategies are available to policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders, for cross-regional collaborations that strengthen cultural ties, leverage creative industries, culture, and the arts as central to Global Europe, and support global culture- and creativity-driven innovation and resilience. Scope: This topic explores how international partnerships can strengthen cultural policies and creative…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: An in-depth analysis of the socio-economic dimensions and impacts of generative AI on the cultural and creative sectors and related societal implications. Particular attention should be paid to rights and remuneration of creators, diversity of cultural expression, audience perception, consumption patterns, market dynamics, value chains, royalty allocation and the effectiveness of copyright infrastructure. Scenarios, value chains, standards and robust, agile solutions to ensure transparency and trust in the generative AI supply chain are developed, aiming for a fair and transparent market for cultural and creative content. This includes: systems for content provenance detection of AI-generated and manipulated creative content; tools and infrastructure that reinforce rights management, creators’ consent, control, and fair compensation for the use of their works in AI training and generation; measures supporting the findability and discoverability of trustworthy cultural and creative content; mechanisms for the long-term preservation and stewardship of AI-generated creative works. Adaptive policy…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to either the first and second (combined), or the third and fourth (combined) of the following expected outcomes: Improved implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum through evidence-based insights in asylum and migration management, age assessment of minors, and resettlement frameworks, ensuring fair and efficient migration governance. Insight into legal pathways addressing both EU Member States’ needs and potential offers of circular and permanent migration schemes in selected partner countries. Enhanced health equity for migrants, including refugees by integrating robust health data into national systems, addressing governance barriers, and tackling intersectional inequities in healthcare access, identifying data/indicators on basic needs in health and sanitation, including as compared to adequate treatment. Comprehensive evaluation of long-term social inclusion and integration strategies, providing evidence-based policy recommendations for labour market access, housing, education, health (including mental health), recognition of qualifications and validation of skills, youth participation, and social, political, and…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: EU, national and local policymakers possess the necessary knowledge to inform the development of election regulations, standards and tools that address the use of digital technologies in elections and political campaigns, ensuring their integrity, inclusiveness, accessibility, fairness, transparency, and security. Organisations involved in electoral processes develop and implement guidelines for the responsible use of digital technologies in elections and political campaigns, aligned with EU and national regulations. Enhanced transparency and accountability in AI-powered political campaigns, achieved through requirements for AI system audits, data disclosure, transparency regarding algorithms and sources of Large Language Models (LLMs), and responsible AI development. Scope: The integrity of electoral processes in Europe is facing challenges in the digital age. The digital transformation of democratic processes has created new avenues for citizen engagement, but it also poses significant risks from disinformation to the integrity of electoral and other democratic processes. Concerns about…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Provide policymakers, education practitioners and citizens with a solid understanding of how social media, video gaming and other leisure uses of digital tools relate to the educational outcomes of young people, including through their impact on well-being and mental health. Generate rigorous, policy-relevant evidence about policies and practices aiming to inform and regulate young people’s use of digital tools for non-educational purposes, such as smartphones, at school. Develop actionable advice for policymakers and citizens about how to promote young people’s healthy use of digital tools for leisure, both at school and outside school. Describe and quantify the relationships of using digital tools for leisure and communication with students’ motivation, study habits, attention span and concentration, time management, engagement, social integration and overall well-being. Scope: The increasing prevalence of digital devices in young people’s life has raised concerns about the potential impacts of the use of digital tools for leisure and communication on primary-, secondary- and higher education…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Greater integration of SSH and STEM [1] research and innovation in R&I initiatives funded at EU level, national and/or regional level, as well as in R&I policies by promoting dialogue, mutual learning and strategic cooperation among research funders and policy makers in the EU. Developing and maintaining a new, common, comprehensive ‘Monitoring and Impact Evaluation Framework’ for SSH integration in current and future EU R&I initiatives. Enhanced facilitation of knowledge exploitation and support to the cooperation between projects and stakeholders, as well as R&I policies involved in projects and other types of cross-border networks dealing with SSH and STEM research and innovation. Scope: As mentioned in the Report ‘Align, Act, Accelerate: Research, Technology and Innovation to boost European Competitiveness’ [2] , European RD&I can provide a new understanding of and solutions to tackle societal challenges. Social sciences and humanities (SSH) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) improve the research activities, outcomes and impacts of Horizon Europe, because they enable a…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Assessment of Europe’s CCAM position in global competition, identifying strategic vulnerabilities, dependencies and opportunities across business models, supply chains, critical components, technological capabilities, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks, supported by advanced AI-driven analytics and innovation mapping tools. Stakeholder-driven, participatory future scenarios and strategic pathways that define Europe’s leading role in the evolving geopolitical, technological, and economic landscape of CCAM. These should be developed using advanced foresight methods ( e.g. qualitative scenarios, horizon scanning, technology roadmapping, etc.), complemented by iterative validation through a minimum of 3 dedicated Living Labs selected to represent diverse European regions, urbanisation levels, and governance capacities, ensuring a structured, robust, and anticipatory approach to long-term decision-making. A data-driven understanding of the socioeconomic effects of different CCAM deployment pathways, based on a quantified assessment across Member States and Associated Countries,…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Police Authorities in Europe are empowered with modern, accessible and validated tools, methodologies and training curricula to anticipate and cope with the misuse of new and emerging technologies for criminal purposes, with the aim to facilitate prevention, detection, efficient data access and investigation of criminal offences in a lawful manner and with full respect of fundamental rights, including the right to protection of personal data and to privacy; Reinforced interdisciplinary collaboration at the European level through the establishment of partnerships among technologists, policymakers and Police Authorities, resulting in a holistic understanding of the challenges posed by emerging technologies and in sharing of best practices; Clear guidelines and frameworks are created, including on procedures and rules, that ensure lawful access to data, balancing the needs of security with respect for privacy and that foster a European approach to the related challenges for the police and the judiciary. Scope: New and emerging technologies (e.g., new communication technologies,…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following outcomes: Identification and analysis of potential new security risks related to innovative technologies being deployed in the urban and peri-urban environments; Innovative and modern tools to identify and measure changes in urban and peri-urban areas caused by the green transition, insofar as they concern security and possible resilience approaches; Verification of measures countering potential safety and security risks, hazards and challenges arising in areas hosting green technologies; Contribution to building awareness and societal acceptance for the safety and security aspects of the green transition; Impacts of incidents involving new and emerging technologies are examined, including environmental and climate risks; Security, safety and resilience aspects of the supply chains of green technologies are analysed, including the technological and resource dependencies, and their aligning with the European strategic autonomy principle; Authorities and critical infrastructure operators are equipped with efficient evaluation methodologies for safe and secure deployment and integration of…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following expected outcomes: Integrated single-hazard systems into multi-hazard next generation predictive models to assess cascading effects (e.g., heatwave, floods, droughts, landslides, heavy rain) and interactions across meteorological, geophysical, and technological hazards; Enhanced hazard forecasting and response through research on model integration and platform interoperability; Development of holistic risk and resilience metrics to support multi-hazard prevention strategies, encompassing main physical, economic and social effects; Improvement of analysis models considering evolving vulnerability state, due to cascading and cumulative effects, through numerical simulations and experimental tests, possibly also supported by AI applications; Collected reliable data (same granularity and format) and ways to share and analyse it. The interoperability of all kinds of systems and information sharing is crucial, based on the need-to-know principle; Improved knowledge/experience-sharing from past emergencies to cope with future emergencies, also strengthening trans-national knowledge and data…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following expected outcomes: Police Authorities in Europe are equipped with specialised skills and technologies to counter an increase in illegal activities related to the climate change and the emergence of new (opportunistic) criminal patterns; Improved understanding by policymakers of the effects of climate change on law enforcement with a view of developing related effective European policies; improved knowledge of the impacts of climate change phenomena on social dynamics which can raise demands from public authorities to keep public order, moving beyond traditional perspectives about crime and terrorism. Scope: Global climate change is a megatrend expected to affect our societies over the next decade. As stated in “Germany: National interdisciplinary climate risk assessment” [1] , “We are already living in the climate crisis. This brings substantial security risks at global and national levels. (...) Anyone thinking about security needs to think about climate as well”. Climate change will affect European law enforcement in various ways [2] , [3] . Notably, it is likely to create new…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following expected outcomes: Development of innovative tools and methodologies to monitor and improve risk awareness across society, integrating diverse community perspectives and leveraging advanced technologies; Development and uptake solutions and tools for the successful increase of safety culture and societal resilience of communities with concrete material, while considering also the inclusion and protection of marginalized populations in disaster scenarios; Creation of comprehensive, inclusive preparedness plans that involve all societal sectors and governance levels, ensuring coordinated and effective responses to disasters (such as from early warning to early action), including scarcity of resources; Establishment of a resilient, adaptive response framework that enhances collaboration between public authorities, communities, and private sectors, improving overall disaster resilience. Scope: Building on the whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach, this topic should contribute to enhancing risk awareness and disaster preparedness through the development of innovative tools,…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Increased understanding of European policy makers, research community, biotech companies, and relevant security practitioners of the threat of bioterrorism and of synthetic biology, including a thorough lawful analysis of what needs to be monitored in this context, what needs to be regulated and how; Awareness raised within the related scientific community how research in synthetic biology can be used for malicious purposes. Scope: The rising threat of bioterrorism is driven by recent scientific advancements, notably by growing accessibility of synthetic biology, genetic engineering, related commercial services and public databases, which in turn enhance their obtainability to non-state actors and individuals with malicious intentions. The proliferation of do-it-yourself biohacking and community laboratories, including gene editing and sequencing technology, dropping costs of equipment and increased simplicity of use may inadvertently facilitate knowledge and skills dissemination about biological threats and open new pathways for bioterrorism. Challenges in detection,…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following expected outcomes: Accelerated adoption of high-TRL (Technology Readiness Level) disaster risk solutions across diverse sectors; Facilitated integration of innovative technologies into existing disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks; Promoted collaboration among stakeholders to scale proven solutions and enhance resilience; Addressed barriers to deployment, ensuring accessibility and usability of advanced DRS technologies; Strengthened evidence-based decision-making through demonstration and validation of high-TRL solutions in real-world scenarios; Promoted visibility of civil security research results. Scope: This topic aims to foster the widespread adoption and integration of high-TRL (Technology Readiness Level) disaster risk solutions (DRS) across multiple sectors, enhancing societal resilience to various hazards, including climate. The focus is on overcoming barriers to deployment, ensuring accessibility, and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to drive innovation uptake. Projects should promote the adoption of high-TRL solutions by public and…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following expected outcomes: Improved understanding of links between addictions and crime, including drivers of criminality; Innovative and effective solutions, including training curricula, for Police Authorities in Europe and relevant Civil Society Organisations (or Non-Governmental Organisations) to prevent addictions and related crimes, with a special attention to young people at risk; Evidence-based support to modernising European criminal justice system’s approach when dealing with addiction-related offenses; Novel approaches of collaboration between different stakeholders, primarily Police Authorities in Europe and Civil Society Organisations (or Non-Governmental Organisations), to increase communities’ addiction resilience, security and safety. Scope: A close and complex relationship exists between addictions, such as gambling, drug or alcohol use, and crime (e.g., criminals are often under the influence of drugs while committing crimes, gamblers or drug users commit crimes to pay for their debts or drugs). In this topic, successful proposals are expected to analyse the specific nexus…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Housing-led approaches [1] aligned with the NEB are made available to stakeholders involved in tackling homelessness [1] . Robust evidence on NEB-aligned housing-led approaches tackling homelessness (including people temporarily hosted by acquaintances and family) to inform the development and/or update of policies and services for prevention and early intervention in the context of the green transition [1] in neighbourhoods [1] . Scope: Social and affordable housing is being advanced in the EU, including through the Affordable Housing Initiative [5] . Despite efforts, current policies for the green transition are failing to adequately address the housing crisis. Homelessness remains a structural challenge across Europe, with negative impacts on both individuals experiencing it (e.g. physical and mental health, social and economic conditions) and neighbourhood communities [1] (e.g. pressure on public services, erosion of social fabric [1] , etc.). Research and innovation gaps in tackling homelessness range from data collection (i.e. the variety of approaches to defining,…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following expected outcomes: Improved preparedness, evidence-based approaches and response capabilities, along with a strengthened ability to mitigate risks from diverse threats, by integrating validated disruptive technologies into real-world operations; Accelerated adoption of innovative solutions by reducing barriers through rigorous testing and validation, fostering collaboration among public authorities, industry, and researchers to align technologies with real-world needs. Scope: This topic aims to support the integration of disruptive technological innovations [1] into civil security by strengthening research and innovation activities that enhance preparedness, response capabilities, and risk mitigation. A key focus is bridging the gap between early-stage, low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) research and applied security solutions, ensuring that emerging technologies are effectively transitioned into operational use. Proposals should prioritize disruptive solutions that address diverse security threats while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of civil security operations. Emphasis…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Demonstrated approaches aligned with NEB allow architects, designers, spatial planners and neighbourhood [1] decision makers to ensure an efficient and effective integration of user perspectives in the spatial design and/or transformation of public spaces. The demonstrated approaches deliver positive climate, environmental, social and cultural impact (such as addressing inequalities and enhancing social cohesion, community [1] resilience, civic engagement and a sense of security, ownership and belonging). Scope: The design of neighbourhood public spaces defines their functionality, but also other aspects such as power dynamics and sense of belonging. A fair green transition [1] calls for neighbourhood public spaces to be designed and managed for diverse users. Integrating new methods (such as research-by-design, security-by-design [4] , or life-centric design) in the architectural design and spatial planning of public space can help reflect on the values, practices and stakeholder relations that underpin the design of public spaces; rethink how public spaces are understood;…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: An increased number of local authorities systematically identify and quantify vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces for reuse in neighbourhoods [1] in a context-sensitive way to address local community [1] challenges and needs. Increase in renovated, renatured, or converted spaces that address local community challenges and needs. Scope: Europe’s housing needs, inefficient use of the existing building stock, environmental commitments, and the EU’s goal of “no net land take” by 2050 make a compelling case for reusing the significant number of existing spaces, including buildings and infrastructure, that are vacant, obsolete or underutilised. In Europe, there are, for instance, an estimated 19,000 km² of underutilised brownfield land and 300 km² of vacant or underutilised office space [3] . The reuse of vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces, following circularity [1] and sufficiency principles, can help address community challenges and needs thanks to their typical proximity and connection to essential infrastructure and services. While vacant, obsolete or underutilised…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Robust evidence on how inhabitants experience their neighbourhood [1] and the impact of these experiences on their health and well-being. The research informs policies, strategies, neighbourhood planning and procurement for the green transition [1] of neighbourhoods, including their nature-positive [3] transformation and climate resilience. Scope: Neighbourhoods are human-social constructs and environments. They are shaped by complex inter-connections and interdependencies of human and non-human actors in the natural and built environment [1] they comprise. An increasing body of research is looking at the relationship between people and the built environment, from neuro-architectural aspects of space to atmosphere and ambiance aspects in urban design and planning, influencing also the perception of beauty. Digitalisation is also allowing to understand, map and enhance how inhabitants experience the built environment. Yet, more evidence is needed on how inhabitants react to and identify with their neighbourhoods as well as the effects of these experiences on their physical and…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Project promoters, public authorities, and investors have a better understanding of the capital market demand and supply dynamics that underlie investments in projects fostering the transformation of neighbourhoods [1] in line with the New European Bauhaus (NEB). Increased investments towards NEB-aligned projects for the sustainable [1] and inclusive [1] transformation of neighbourhoods. Scope: Increased investment in projects for the transformation of neighbourhoods in line with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) may be hindered due to a discrepancy between the demand and supply of capital in terms of size, diversity, returns, and risk. Small-scale NEB-aligned projects typically encounter large, short-term oriented, and highly risk-averse investment funds, which seek investment opportunities able to absorb large amounts of funding, driven by present legislation [4] . Place-based impact investing is an approach that can contribute to investments in NEB-aligned neighbourhood projects by providing risk-adjusted financial returns while creating local social, cultural, aesthetic [5] and…

Expected Outcome: This action will establish a strategic European initiative to develop scalable, modular, and interoperable photonic quantum computing platforms. Proposals for this topic are expected to address and provide credible solutions to at least two major technical roadblocks currently limiting the advancement of photonic quantum computing such as: The lack of deterministic, high-efficiency photonic entanglement and loss-tolerant architectures suitable for fault-tolerant scaling The absence of a standardised, integrated control stack combining photonic hardware, firmware, and system software with reliable benchmarking across platforms Project results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: By 2028, demonstration of a photonic NISQ processor with ≥100 photonic qubits, integrating deterministic single-photon sources, low-loss waveguides, on-chip detectors, and a firmware stack (scheduler, controller, compiler), validated via hardware-agnostic benchmarks and hybrid photonic-HPC applications demonstrating classical-quantum crossover By 2030, delivery of a full-stack, high-connectivity photonic quantum computer, with modular scalability, integrated…

Objective: 1. Background The EDCTP Prizes 2026-2027 are recognition prizes funded under Horizon Europe. Prizes are financial contributions given as rewards following the publication of a contest. A ‘recognition prize’ is used to recognise past achievements and outstanding work after it has been performed, whereas an ‘inducement prize’ is used to spur investment in a given direction, by specifying a target prior to the performance of the work. Applications will have to clearly state the involvement of the applicants in the research and innovation activities within the remit of the Global Health EDCTP3 programme. Applicants will have to provide proof of eligibility and a written presentation of the achievements, which will be presented to an independent panel of experts for evaluation. The amounts of the prizes are specified in section 3. They are not linked to the costs incurred by the winner. 2. EDCTP3 Prizes 2026 and related award criteria The prizes will be awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the independent expert jury, demonstrates having best addressed the cumulative criteria specified under the respective descriptions below. Applications will be graded on a total of…

Objective: 1. Background The EDCTP Prizes 2026-2027 are recognition prizes funded under Horizon Europe. Prizes are financial contributions given as rewards following the publication of a contest. A ‘recognition prize’ is used to recognise past achievements and outstanding work after it has been performed, whereas an ‘inducement prize’ is used to spur investment in a given direction, by specifying a target prior to the performance of the work. Applications will have to clearly state the involvement of the applicants in the research and innovation activities within the remit of the Global Health EDCTP3 programme. Applicants will have to provide proof of eligibility and a written presentation of the achievements, which will be presented to an independent panel of experts for evaluation. The amounts of the prizes are specified in section 3. They are not linked to the costs incurred by the winner. 2. EDCTP3 Prizes 2026 and related award criteria The prizes will be awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the independent expert jury, demonstrates having best addressed the cumulative criteria specified under the respective descriptions below. Applications will be graded on a total of…

Quantum Machine Learning

Objective: 1. Background The EDCTP Prizes 2026-2027 are recognition prizes funded under Horizon Europe. Prizes are financial contributions given as rewards following the publication of a contest. A ‘recognition prize’ is used to recognise past achievements and outstanding work after it has been performed, whereas an ‘inducement prize’ is used to spur investment in a given direction, by specifying a target prior to the performance of the work. Applications will have to clearly state the involvement of the applicants in the research and innovation activities within the remit of the Global Health EDCTP3 programme. Applicants will have to provide proof of eligibility and a written presentation of the achievements, which will be presented to an independent panel of experts for evaluation. The amounts of the prizes are specified in section 3. They are not linked to the costs incurred by the winner. 2. EDCTP3 Prizes 2026 and related award criteria The prizes will be awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the independent expert jury, demonstrates having best addressed the cumulative criteria specified under the respective descriptions below. Applications will be graded on a total of…

Objective: 1. Background The EDCTP Prizes 2026-2027 are recognition prizes funded under Horizon Europe. Prizes are financial contributions given as rewards following the publication of a contest. A ‘recognition prize’ is used to recognise past achievements and outstanding work after it has been performed, whereas an ‘inducement prize’ is used to spur investment in a given direction, by specifying a target prior to the performance of the work. Applications will have to clearly state the involvement of the applicants in the research and innovation activities within the remit of the Global Health EDCTP3 programme. Applicants will have to provide proof of eligibility and a written presentation of the achievements, which will be presented to an independent panel of experts for evaluation. The amounts of the prizes are specified in section 3. They are not linked to the costs incurred by the winner. 2. EDCTP3 Prizes 2026 and related award criteria The prizes will be awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the independent expert jury, demonstrates having best addressed the cumulative criteria specified under the respective descriptions below. Applications will be graded on a total of…

Objective: 1. Background The EDCTP Prizes 2026-2027 are recognition prizes funded under Horizon Europe. Prizes are financial contributions given as rewards following the publication of a contest. A ‘recognition prize’ is used to recognise past achievements and outstanding work after it has been performed, whereas an ‘inducement prize’ is used to spur investment in a given direction, by specifying a target prior to the performance of the work. Applications will have to clearly state the involvement of the applicants in the research and innovation activities within the remit of the Global Health EDCTP3 programme. Applicants will have to provide proof of eligibility and a written presentation of the achievements, which will be presented to an independent panel of experts for evaluation. The amounts of the prizes are specified in section 3. They are not linked to the costs incurred by the winner. 2. EDCTP3 Prizes 2026 and related award criteria The prizes will be awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the independent expert jury, demonstrates having best addressed the cumulative criteria specified under the respective descriptions below. Applications will be graded on a total of…

Objective: 1. Background The EDCTP Prizes 2026-2027 are recognition prizes funded under Horizon Europe. Prizes are financial contributions given as rewards following the publication of a contest. A ‘recognition prize’ is used to recognise past achievements and outstanding work after it has been performed, whereas an ‘inducement prize’ is used to spur investment in a given direction, by specifying a target prior to the performance of the work. Applications will have to clearly state the involvement of the applicants in the research and innovation activities within the remit of the Global Health EDCTP3 programme. Applicants will have to provide proof of eligibility and a written presentation of the achievements, which will be presented to an independent panel of experts for evaluation. The amounts of the prizes are specified in section 3. They are not linked to the costs incurred by the winner. 2. EDCTP3 Prizes 2026 and related award criteria The prizes will be awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the independent expert jury, demonstrates having best addressed the cumulative criteria specified under the respective descriptions below. Applications will be graded on a total of…

Expected Outcome: This action will support and accelerate the development and adoption of European and international standards for quantum technologies, enhancing interoperability quality/reliability assurance, and trust in quantum systems. It will strengthen Europe's leadership in the global quantum standardisation landscape and ensure that European industrial and research priorities are well represented and integrated into emerging standards. Expected outcomes include: Delivery of concrete, EU-relevant pre-normative standards and technical specifications across quantum computing, communication, and sensing. Substantial contribution of European stakeholders, notably SMEs and start-ups in international standardisation bodies (e.g., ISO/IEC, ITU-T, ETSI), with alignment to EU industrial strategies. Promotion of cross-sectoral interoperability through standardised interfaces, control protocols, reliability in operating conditions and benchmarking methodologies, reducing market fragmentation and technical barriers. Creation of practical support tools such as user guidelines, training modules, and best practices to accelerate the uptake and implementation of quantum…

Expected Outcome: Objectives and profile of the ERC Advanced Grant Principal Investigator The objective of the Advanced Grant is to support excellent Principal Investigators that are established research leaders. An ERC Advanced Grant Principal Investigator is expected to be an active researcher with a track record of significant research achievements. Size of ERC Advanced Grants Advanced Grants may be awarded up to a maximum of EUR 2 500 000 for a period of 5 years . The maximum amount of the grants is reduced pro rata temporis for projects of a shorter duration. Additional funding up to EUR 1 000 000 * can be requested to cover further eligible costs (e.g. start-up costs, major equipment, access to large facilities, major experimental and field work costs) when these are necessary to carry out the proposed work. The requests for additional funding must be duly justified in the proposal. Additional funding is not subject to pro rata temporis reduction for projects of shorter duration. * Except for Principal Investigators in Starting, Consolidator, or Advanced Grant re-locating to the EU or an Associated Country from elsewhere to take up their ERC grant. In this case, the maximum…

Expected Outcome: This action builds on the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call (HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2026). The project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes: For supported doctoral candidates: New research and transferable skills and competences in the application of AI in science, leading to improved employability and career prospects within and outside academia; New knowledge allowing the conversion of ideas into products and services, where relevant; Enhanced networking and communication capacities with scientific peers, as well as with the general public that will increase and broaden the research and innovation impact. For participating organisations: Improved quality, relevance and sustainability of doctoral training programmes and supervision arrangements; Enhanced cooperation and transfer of knowledge between sectors and disciplines; Increased integration of training and research activities between participating organisations; Boosted R&I capacity and uptake of AI in science; Increased internationalisation and attractiveness; Regular feedback of research results into teaching and education at participating organisations. Scope: Successful RAISE Doctoral…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes: For supported doctoral candidates New research and transferable skills and competences, leading to improved employability and career prospects within and outside academia; New knowledge allowing the conversion of ideas into products and services, where relevant; Enhanced networking and communication capacities with scientific peers, as well as with the general public that will increase and broaden the research and innovation impact. For participating organisations Improved quality, relevance and sustainability of doctoral training programmes and supervision arrangements; Enhanced cooperation and transfer of knowledge between sectors and disciplines; Increased integration of training and research activities between participating organisations; Boosted R&I capacity; Increased internationalisation and attractiveness; Regular feedback of research results into teaching and education at participating organisations. Scope: MSCA Doctoral Networks will implement doctoral programmes, by partnerships of universities, research institutions and research infrastructures, businesses including SMEs, and other…