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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal for HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-DRS-03 must deliver a field-validated, highly integrated ecosystem combining autonomous robotics, multi-modal sensor fusion, and smart C2 systems capable of operating under extreme physical hazards. Consortium design is mission-critical: applicants must mandatorily embed at least 2 first responder organisations and 2 medical emergency authorities across at least 3 Member States/Associated Countries, ensuring strict adherence to ownership/licensing controls and non-EU control exclusions. The strategic edge lies in establishing operational links with the rescEU reserve, European Civil Protection Pool, and the Preparedness Union Strategy, demonstrated via practical multi-practitioner exercises up to TRL 8.
TRL 4 → 8
Develop innovative tools, equipment, and technologies leveraging advancements in smart protective equipment, robotics, autonomous systems, remote sensing, communication, and human sensor technologies to improve efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of emergency medical response and search and rescue operations in high-risk scenarios.
Explore the design, testing, and validation of innovative solutions capable of performing critical tasks in disaster-stricken areas, tailored to extreme conditions (high temperatures, unstable terrains, low-visibility) and beneficial to all individuals regardless of age, gender, or ability.
Address challenges related to autonomous navigation, AI-driven decision-making, real-time situational awareness, and seamless integration with existing command-and-control systems used by disaster management.
Support collaboration of different practitioners to facilitate proper market uptake.
Enhance interoperability and data-sharing capabilities between various platforms, emergency response teams, and crisis management systems.
Deploy and validate technologies practically through field exercises and simulations in real-world disaster scenarios, employing user-driven design approaches prioritising inclusivity and accessibility.
Develop a command-and-control solution that allows organisation of all activities, ensuring a swift, coordinated, and effective response to any disaster with a clear plan for uptake after the project.
Conduct a stakeholder or market analysis and a roadmap or plan for uptake of developed methodologies, findings, and technologies to industry, R&I community, and relevant authorities, taking into account current response capacities and capacity gaps of the European Civil Protection Pool, the rescEU strategic reserve, and the EU Stockpiling Strategy.
Consider innovation for heavier assets, such as flood containment and high-capacity pumping, transport or response aircraft, shelters and power generators, ground firefighting vehicles, and aerial firefighting helicopters.
Address ethical, legal, and social implications associated with the deployment of autonomous technologies in emergency response, including data privacy, cybersecurity, human- and animal life protection, public acceptance, and compliance with regulatory frameworks.
Ensure alignment with EU policies and international best practices, taking into account the Preparedness Union Strategy, and establish synergies with projects from operational grants like Knowledge for Action in Prevention & Preparedness (KAPP).
Creation of cutting-edge tools, processes, equipment and technologies to enhance disaster and emergency response capabilities for various practitioners as well as for assets, such as vehicles, aircraft, and heavy equipment;
Taking into consideration existing technologies, development of autonomous drones, robotics, and other technologies specifically designed for emergency medical response and search and rescue operations in hazardous conditions such as wildfires, earthquakes and large-scale events;
Improvement of response efficiency and safety for survivors and emergency practitioners through the adoption of advanced, technology-driven solutions in disaster scenarios;
Consider needs of existing EU-level capacities, emergency reserves, and stockpiling in the deployment of the assets and being able to move them.
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
Preparedness Union Strategy
highThe Preparedness Union Strategy (grounded in the Niinistö Report and European Commission resilience frameworks) seeks to build comprehensive societal, civil-protection, and defense readiness across the EU. It emphasizes proactive threat anticipation, resilient supply chains, multi-hazard risk management, and reinforced coordination between civilian first responders, defense actors, and critical infrastructure operators.
Evaluators expect proposals to align disaster response and search-and-rescue innovations with whole-of-society preparedness doctrines. This involves demonstrating how technologies support multi-agency crisis operations, situational awareness, cross-border interoperability, and robust operational readiness in high-risk, multi-threat scenarios.
EU Stockpiling Strategy
mediumThe EU Stockpiling Strategy, developed under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU framework, aims to ensure the strategic prepositioning and availability of critical medical, CBRN, shelter, and logistical equipment across Member States. It focuses on addressing supply vulnerabilities and guaranteeing rapid deployment during large-scale cross-border disasters and emergencies.
Evaluators expect proposals to show how newly developed tools, technologies, or rescue equipment can integrate with or inform rescEU and European Civil Protection Pool stockpiling specifications. This includes considering interoperability, modularity, storage life, and rapid deployability under extreme conditions.
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described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
In line with the “restriction on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas” delineated in General Annex B of the General Annexes, entities established in an eligible country but which are directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China are not eligible to participate in the action.
Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
Due to the scope of this topic, relevant international organisations with headquarters in a Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country are exceptionally eligible for funding.
The following additional eligibility criteria apply:
This topic requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 2 practitioner organisations (first responders) and 2 medical emergency authorities from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
For these participants, applicants must fill in the table “Information about security practitioners” in the application form with all the requested information, following the template provided in the submission IT tool.
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Some activities resulting from this topic may involve using classified background and/or producing of security sensitive results (EUCI and SEN). Please refer to the related provisions in section B Security — EU classified and sensitive information of the General Annexes.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Information on financial support to third parties (HE)
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 6. Civil Security for Society
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
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
Evaluators will immediately scrutinize the mandatory practitioner eligibility criteria (verifying the practitioner table for 2 first responder bodies and 2 emergency medical authorities from 3 countries) and restrictions regarding ownership/control (exclusion of Chinese control in critical technologies). They will prioritize real-world usability over purely theoretical autonomous algorithms, placing heavy weight on robust field trials under realistic extreme conditions (smoke, collapse, thermal stress). Finally, proposals showing seamless legacy C2 integration, concrete alignment with rescEU/EU Stockpiling logistics, and compliance with Copernicus/Galileo services will score highest on impact and implementation feasibility.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Develop innovative tools, equipment, and technologies leveraging advancements in smart protective equipment, robotics, autonomous systems, remote sensing, communication, and human sensor technologies to improve efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of emergency medical response and search and rescue operations in high-risk scenarios. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Explore the design, testing, and validation of innovative solutions capable of performing critical tasks in disaster-stricken areas, tailored to extreme conditions (high temperatures, unstable terrains, low-visibility) and beneficial to all individuals regardless of age, gender, or ability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Address challenges related to autonomous navigation, AI-driven decision-making, real-time situational awareness, and seamless integration with existing command-and-control systems used by disaster management. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Support collaboration of different practitioners to facilitate proper market uptake. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Enhance interoperability and data-sharing capabilities between various platforms, emergency response teams, and crisis management systems. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Deploy and validate technologies practically through field exercises and simulations in real-world disaster scenarios, employing user-driven design approaches prioritising inclusivity and accessibility. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Develop a command-and-control solution that allows organisation of all activities, ensuring a swift, coordinated, and effective response to any disaster with a clear plan for uptake after the project. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Conduct a stakeholder or market analysis and a roadmap or plan for uptake of developed methodologies, findings, and technologies to industry, R&I community, and relevant authorities, taking into account current response capacities and capacity gaps of the European Civil Protection Pool, the rescEU strategic reserve, and the EU Stockpiling Strategy. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9Consider innovation for heavier assets, such as flood containment and high-capacity pumping, transport or response aircraft, shelters and power generators, ground firefighting vehicles, and aerial firefighting helicopters. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC10Address ethical, legal, and social implications associated with the deployment of autonomous technologies in emergency response, including data privacy, cybersecurity, human- and animal life protection, public acceptance, and compliance with regulatory frameworks. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC11Ensure alignment with EU policies and international best practices, taking into account the Preparedness Union Strategy, and establish synergies with projects from operational grants like Knowledge for Action in Prevention & Preparedness (KAPP). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Creation of cutting-edge tools, processes, equipment and technologies to enhance disaster and emergency response capabilities for various practitioners as well as for assets, such as vehicles, aircraft, and heavy equipment; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Taking into consideration existing technologies, development of autonomous drones, robotics, and other technologies specifically designed for emergency medical response and search and rescue operations in hazardous conditions such as wildfires, earthquakes and large-scale events; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Improvement of response efficiency and safety for survivors and emergency practitioners through the adoption of advanced, technology-driven solutions in disaster scenarios; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Consider needs of existing EU-level capacities, emergency reserves, and stockpiling in the deployment of the assets and being able to move them. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Synergies with Knowledge for Action in Prevention & Preparedness (KAPP)Proposals are recommended to find synergies with projects funded under operational grants, specifically Knowledge for Action in Prevention & Preparedness (KAPP). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Synergies with European Civil Protection Pool and rescEU strategic reserveProjects must take into account the current response capacities and capacity gaps of the European Civil Protection Pool and the rescEU strategic reserve in their uptake roadmap. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Mandatory use of Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS satellite data and servicesIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, or timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of autonomous technologiesProposals should address ethical, legal, and social implications of deploying autonomous technologies, covering data privacy, cybersecurity, human and animal life protection, public acceptance, and regulatory compliance. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Involvement and collaboration of disaster management practitioners and end-usersCollaboration of different practitioners and user-driven design approaches prioritising inclusivity and accessibility must be supported to ensure solutions align with operational responder needs. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Handling of EU classified and sensitive information (EUCI/SEN)Some activities may involve using classified background or producing security sensitive results (EUCI and SEN), requiring adherence to security provisions in section B of the General Annexes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1preparedness union strategyThe Preparedness Union Strategy (grounded in the Niinistö Report and European Commission resilience frameworks) seeks to build comprehensive societal, civil-protection, and defense readiness across the EU. It emphasizes proactive threat anticipation, resilient supply chains, multi-hazard risk management, and reinforced coordination between civilian first responders, defense actors, and critical infrastructure operators. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
5 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
A proposal that fails to formally include at least two first responder organisations and two medical emergency authorities across three eligible countries will be rejected before scoring. Evaluators are instructed to immediately scrutinize the mandatory practitioner table. Ensure these partners are core beneficiaries driving the field trials, not just advisory board members.
Source: Eligibility rules
Do not over-invest proposal real estate in theoretical algorithm development. Evaluators will penalize purely theoretical autonomous systems, prioritizing robust field trials under realistic extreme conditions such as smoke, thermal stress, and structural collapse. Your work plan must culminate in practical, multi-practitioner simulations reaching TRL 8.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
Any proposed solution relying on satellite-based earth observation, positioning, or timing data must explicitly integrate Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS services. Evaluators will specifically check for this compliance when scoring implementation feasibility; relying solely on non-EU satellite networks will severely damage your evaluation score.
Source: Eligibility rules
A winning proposal must provide a concrete roadmap linking the developed technologies to the rescEU strategic reserve and the European Civil Protection Pool. Evaluators expect explicit proof of how your tools integrate with heavier deployment assets and comply with EU stockpiling logistics for rapid cross-border deployment.
Source: Scope
Because this is a Lump Sum grant, financial reimbursement is strictly tied to work package completion. Structure your project so that the high costs associated with the TRL 8 multi-practitioner field exercises are linked to clear, indisputable validation milestones, preventing severe cash-flow bottlenecks late in the project lifecycle.
Source: Eligibility rules
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. There is no set order: start wherever your project starts. The sections below mirror what the conversation produces, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Standard robotic systems, communications, and protective gear experience immediate degradation in extreme disaster zones (dense smoke, thermal extremes, subterranean structural collapse), endangering first responders and stalling search operations.
Emergency medical services and technical search units routinely operate with disjointed operational pictures and legacy communication tools, creating coordination delays and slowing down critical triage decisions.
Emerging robotic innovations frequently fail to integrate with heavier deployment assets (transport aircraft, heavy pumping, rescEU modules), hindering rapid cross-border mutual aid during catastrophic crises.
Urban search and rescue (USAR) units, civil protection teams, and fire rescue services deployed into hazardous disaster grounds.
Emergency healthcare authorities, paramedic response units, and triage field hospital operators managing rapid patient extraction and care.
DG ECHO, Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), rescEU strategic reserve managers, and European Civil Protection Pool coordinators.
Developers and manufacturers of robotics, drones, sensor technologies, PPE, and C2 software seeking market uptake.
Academic researchers, security R&I clusters, and standards organizations advancing autonomous systems in civil security.
Citizens affected by natural and man-made disasters, including elderly persons, children, and persons with disabilities requiring inclusive rescue operations.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Significantly shorten the survival timeline and reduce disaster-attributed casualties by automating victim location and triage in hazardous zones.
Decrease the rate of severe physical injuries, chemical exposures, and fatalities among operational first responders and medical teams deploying autonomous scouts.
Enable standardized, modular asset integration compatible with rescEU stockpiles and European Civil Protection Pool joint deployment frameworks.