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Strategic Analysis
To win this open topic, the proposal must strike an uncompromised balance between technical innovation in countering emerging criminal vectors (e.g. generative AI, novel biometrics, or quantum exploits) and ironclad compliance with EU fundamental rights and lawful access standards. A winning consortium requires early, direct involvement of at least two legally defined Police Authorities alongside leading legal/ethics scholars and deep-tech innovators to deliver operational, legally defensible tools validated up to TRL 5. Securing structured engagement channels with the Europol Innovation Lab, EU Drugs Agency, and CEPOL will provide decisive differentiation.
TRL 2 → 5
Address new and emerging technologies (e.g., new communication technologies, quantum technologies, new biometrics and identification technologies, cloud computing technologies, generative AI) not covered by previous or current Horizon Europe Fighting Crime and Terrorism calls.
Emphasize adaptive methodologies and frameworks capable of evolving in response to new threats and challenges, empowering Police Authorities to act effectively while adhering to legal standards regarding data access.
Develop modern tools, methodologies, and training material for police to tackle the problem of misuse of the emerging technologies under consideration for criminal purposes.
Address issues related to lawful access to data in the context of new and emerging technologies, keeping pace with technical evolutions and respecting applicable legislation and fundamental rights.
Envisage coordination among successful proposals funded under this topic to avoid duplication, exploit complementarities, and increase impact.
Engage with the Europol Innovation Lab during the lifetime of the project (if concerning issues within Europol's mandate), including validating outcomes to facilitate future uptake of innovations.
Engage with the EU Drugs Agency during the lifetime of the project (if concerning drug-related issues), including validating project outcomes.
Cooperate with CEPOL on training-related aspects for Police Authorities, provided CEPOL opts out from applying for funding.
Address all applicable considerations expressed in the Introduction of the Fighting Crime and Terrorism Destination.
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.
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
Regulation (EU) 2016/794 (Europol Regulation)
highRegulation (EU) 2016/794 establishes the legal framework and mandate for the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol). It governs Europol's support to Member States in preventing and combating serious crime, terrorism, and emerging cyber-enabled criminal threats, while defining strict data protection, operational cooperation, and information exchange standards.
Evaluators expect proposals to align technical and operational solutions with Europol's operational mandate and legal boundaries, particularly regarding lawful access to data and cross-border information sharing. Proposals should detail how outputs can integrate into or support law enforcement operational workflows while fully respecting the fundamental rights safeguards and data protection regimes outlined in the regulation.
Specific requirements
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).
Police Authorities required as beneficiaries
This topic requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 2 Police Authorities from at least 2 different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
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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.
The following additional eligibility criteria apply:
This topic requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 2 Police Authorities[[In the context of this Destination, ‘Police Authorities’ means public authorities explicitly designated by national law, or other entities legally mandated by the competent national authority, for the prevention, detection and/or investigation of terrorist offences or other criminal offences, specifically excluding police academies, forensic institutes, training facilities as well as border and customs authorities.]] from at least 2 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.
Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
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 verify the strict eligibility criterion requiring active participation as beneficiaries of at least 2 Police Authorities from 2 different EU Member States or Associated Countries, accompanied by the mandatory 'Information about security practitioners' table. Beyond formal checks, evaluators will scrutinize whether the proposed technologies truly represent 'new and emerging' domains not already saturated by prior Horizon Europe Fighting Crime and Terrorism (FCT) calls. In Impact and Implementation, reviewers will specifically reward explicit roadmaps for lawful access to data (complying strictly with fundamental rights and personal data protection jurisprudence), dedicated work packages for multi-project clustering, and tangible operational validation plans involving Europol Innovation Lab and CEPOL.
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 | |||
| SC1Address new and emerging technologies (e.g., new communication technologies, quantum technologies, new biometrics and identification technologies, cloud computing technologies, generative AI) not covered by previous or current Horizon Europe Fighting Crime and Terrorism calls. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Emphasize adaptive methodologies and frameworks capable of evolving in response to new threats and challenges, empowering Police Authorities to act effectively while adhering to legal standards regarding data access. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Develop modern tools, methodologies, and training material for police to tackle the problem of misuse of the emerging technologies under consideration for criminal purposes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Address issues related to lawful access to data in the context of new and emerging technologies, keeping pace with technical evolutions and respecting applicable legislation and fundamental rights. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Envisage coordination among successful proposals funded under this topic to avoid duplication, exploit complementarities, and increase impact. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Engage with the Europol Innovation Lab during the lifetime of the project (if concerning issues within Europol's mandate), including validating outcomes to facilitate future uptake of innovations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Engage with the EU Drugs Agency during the lifetime of the project (if concerning drug-related issues), including validating project outcomes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Cooperate with CEPOL on training-related aspects for Police Authorities, provided CEPOL opts out from applying for funding. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9Address all applicable considerations expressed in the Introduction of the Fighting Crime and Terrorism Destination. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Police 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. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Reinforced 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. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Clear 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. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Interdisciplinary collaboration among technologists, policymakers, and Police AuthoritiesEstablish reinforced interdisciplinary European partnerships among technologists, policymakers, and Police Authorities to build a holistic understanding of emerging technology challenges. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Coordination among successful proposals funded under this topicCoordination among the successful proposals from this topic should be envisaged to avoid duplication and to exploit complementarities as well as opportunities for increased impact. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Engagement with Europol Innovation LabProposals addressing issues within Europol's mandate are expected to engage with the Europol Innovation Lab during the project lifetime, including validating outcomes to facilitate uptake. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Engagement with the EU Drugs AgencyProjects addressing drug-related issues are expected to engage with the EU Drugs Agency during the project lifetime, including validating project outcomes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Cooperation with CEPOL on training aspectsCooperation of successful proposals with CEPOL is expected for Police Authorities' training-related aspects, provided CEPOL opts out from applying for funding. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Exemption from mandatory gender and intersectional analysisThe integration of the gender and intersectional dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is explicitly not a mandatory requirement for this topic. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Compliance with Fighting Crime and Terrorism Destination Introduction considerationsProposals are expected to address all applicable considerations expressed in the Introduction of the Fighting Crime and Terrorism Destination. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Security clearance and handling of classified/sensitive information (EUCI/SEN)Some activities resulting from this topic may involve using classified background and/or producing security sensitive results (EUCI and SEN), requiring adherence to General Annexes provisions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ9Mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS earth observation and positioning servicesIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, or timing data/services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1regulation (eu) 2016/794 (europol regulation)Regulation (EU) 2016/794 establishes the legal framework and mandate for the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol). It governs Europol's support to Member States in preventing and combating serious crime, terrorism, and emerging cyber-enabled criminal threats, while defining strict data protection, operational cooperation, and information exchange standards. | · | · | 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).
Police Authorities required as beneficiaries
This topic requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 2 Police Authorities from at least 2 different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
4 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.
Proposals will be immediately rejected at the eligibility check if they do not include at least two legally defined Police Authorities from two different EU Member States or Associated Countries as full beneficiaries. You must also complete the specific Information about security practitioners table in the submission system to pass this gate.
Source: Eligibility rules
Because this is an Open topic, evaluators are instructed to explicitly verify that your chosen emerging technology domain is not already saturated by previous or concurrent Horizon Europe Fighting Crime and Terrorism (FCT) projects. You must explicitly map the existing FCT portfolio and prove your proposal addresses a genuinely new operational gap.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
Technical innovation alone will not score well; the proposal must strike an uncompromised balance between developing counter-misuse tools and ensuring ironclad compliance with EU fundamental rights. Reviewers will specifically reward explicit roadmaps and frameworks for lawful access to data that respect personal data protection jurisprudence.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
To maximize Impact and Implementation scores, your work plan must include tangible, structured engagement channels with specific EU agencies. You must build in operational validation plans with the Europol Innovation Lab (for Europol-mandated issues) and integrate training-related cooperation with CEPOL.
Source: Scope
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