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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal under HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-SSRI-02 must demonstrate a tightly coordinated Buyers Group composed of mandated public security procurers and operational practitioners that formulate ambitious yet realistic functional specifications for pre-commercial procurement. The core success factor lies in structuring a competitive, multi-phase PCP process (Design, Prototype, Field Validation) leading to at least 2 distinct operational prototypes evaluated in real-life conditions, underpinned by a credible post-PCP commercialization pathway (including Public Procurement of Innovative solutions - PPI commitments, open-source adoption, or financial support to third parties).
TRL 4 → 8
Procure successful solution(s) as part of the PCP.
Launch a separate follow-up procurement after the PCP to buy such type of solutions.
Adopt successful solutions without the need to procure them (e.g. in case of open-source solutions).
Foresee financial or regulatory incentives for others to adopt successful solutions (e.g. in case the final end-users of the solutions are not the procurers but for example citizens).
A minimal preparation stage dedicated to finalising the tendering documents package for a PCP call for tenders based on the technical input, and to define clear verification and validation procedures, methods and tools for the evaluation of the prototypes to be developed throughout the PCP phases.
Moreover, to ensure the sustainability and uptake of the developed solutions, proposals should outline clear plans for post-PCP activities. As outlined in the general annexes of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, the topic allows public buyers to use the fast-track PCP option (e.g. 2 instead of 3 phases) when they commit to buying or deploying the resulting solutions after the PCP. However, if such a commitment is not yet in place at the proposal stage, the call expects proposers to include a deliverable outlining concrete activities to prepare the ground for follow-up deployment or procurement after the PCP.
Launching the call for tenders for research and development services. The call for tenders should envisage a competitive development composed of different phases that would lead to at least 2 prototypes from 2 different providers to be validated in real operational environment at the end of the PCP cycle;
Conducting the competitive development of the prototypes following the PCP principles including a design phase, an integration and technical verification phase and a validation in real operational environment phase. In evaluating the proposals and the results of the PCP phases, the applicants should consider technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential of proposed research efforts.
Consolidating the results of the evaluation of the developed prototypes, extracting conclusions and recommendations from the validation process, and defining a strategy for a potential uptake of solutions inspired in the PCP outcomes, including a complete technical specification of the envisaged solutions and standardisation needs and/or proposals. This strategy should consider joint-cross border procurement schemes and exploit synergies with other EU and national non-research funds.
A community of EU civil security practitioners with common user/functional needs for innovative technology solutions is identified, supported by an industrial base, in particular SMEs and Startups, to access the public procurement market and scale up their business;
Procurers facilitated the commercialisation of the innovative solutions developed by their successful suppliers by providing them with first customer references for the validation and first pilot deployment;
Tested and validated capacity of EU technology and industrial base to develop and produce technology prototypes that meet the diverse needs of the EU user community, regardless of their gender, age and ability;
Improved delineation of the EU market (including demand and supply) for innovative civil security systems that can articulate alternative options for uptake in function of different industrialisation needs, commercialisation needs, acquisition needs, deployment needs and additional funding needs (beyond R&I funding).
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
EU Directive on public procurement
highDirective 2014/24/EU (and related Directives 2014/25/EU and 2009/81/EC for defence and sensitive security) establishes the legal framework for public purchases across the EU, fostering fair competition, transparency, and equal treatment. It incorporates specific instruments for innovation, such as Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (PPI), allowing public buyers to steer research and market uptake.
Evaluators expect proposals focusing on demand-led security innovation to show a clear understanding of legal procurement pathways, ensuring compatibility with EU procurement rules. Consortia involving public buyers should articulate how competitive dialogue, innovation partnerships, or PCP/PPI mechanisms will be structured without distorting competition or violating state aid and non-discrimination principles.
Specific requirements
Buyers group of public procurers
A minimum of two beneficiaries must be independent legal entities that are public procurers, each established in a different Member State or Associated Country and with at least one of them established in a Member State.
No potential providers in the consortium
To avoid conflicts of interest, there can be no participants in the consortium that are potential providers of solutions for the PCP (General Annex H).
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).
Practitioners and procurers consortium requirement
The action requires the participation, as beneficiaries, of at least 3 practitioners and 3 public procurers from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries, where one organisation can hold both roles simultaneously.
Buyer's group composition requirements
Among the public procurers in the buyer's group, minimum two must be independent legal entities that are public procurers, each established in a different Member State or Associated Country and with at least one established in a Member State, while the third procurer can be a private procurer or an NGO providing similar services of public interest.
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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.
Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
The following additional eligibility criteria apply:
This topic requires the participation[[See General Annexes page 12 on the Consortium Composition as regards Pre-commercial Procurement.]], as beneficiaries, of at least 3 practitioners and 3 public procurers[[Under this topic, the participation is required of minimum three procurers as beneficiaries in the buyer’s group for the PCP. The third procurer in the buyer’s group can be a private procurer or an NGO that provides similar services of public interest as the public procurers.]]. These beneficiaries must be from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries. One organisation can have the role of practitioner and public procurer simultaneously, both counting for the overall number of organisations required for eligibility. Among the public procurers[[Under this topic, the participation is required of minimum three procurers as beneficiaries in the buyer’s group for the PCP, out of which minimum two must be independent legal entities that are public procurers, each established in a different Member State or Associated Country and with at least one of them established in a Member State. The third procurer in the buyer’s group can be a private procurer or an NGO that provides similar services of public interest as the public procurers.]], minimum two must be independent legal entities that are public procurers, each established in a different Member State or Associated Country and with at least one of them established in a Member State.
For participants with practitioner status, 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.
PCP/PPI procurement costs are eligible.
The specific conditions for actions with PCP/PPI procurements in section H of the General Annexes apply to grants funded under this topic.
Beneficiaries must ensure that the subcontracted work is performed in at least 3 Member States — unless otherwise approved by the granting authority.
Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties. The support to third parties can only be provided in the form of grants / prizes. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is EUR 100 000 to provide financial incentives to final end-users that are not part of the consortium (e.g., citizens) to adopt the solutions, including costly hardware components.
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE PCP)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE PCP PPI)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Information on financial support to third parties (HE)
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 rigorously assess compliance with specific eligibility rules: at least 3 practitioners and 3 public procurers from 3 different Member States or Associated Countries (with at least 2 independent public entities). They will inspect whether the tender package preparation, open market consultation, and validation methodology are robust, impartial, and compliant with the EU Public Procurement Directives. Evaluators will also scrutinize the post-PCP exploitation plan: projects that detail explicit follow-up procurement schemes, cross-border uptake strategies, and non-R&I funding synergies will score highest under Impact and Implementation.
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 | |||
| SC1Procure successful solution(s) as part of the PCP. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Launch a separate follow-up procurement after the PCP to buy such type of solutions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Adopt successful solutions without the need to procure them (e.g. in case of open-source solutions). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Foresee financial or regulatory incentives for others to adopt successful solutions (e.g. in case the final end-users of the solutions are not the procurers but for example citizens). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5A minimal preparation stage dedicated to finalising the tendering documents package for a PCP call for tenders based on the technical input, and to define clear verification and validation procedures, methods and tools for the evaluation of the prototypes to be developed throughout the PCP phases. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Moreover, to ensure the sustainability and uptake of the developed solutions, proposals should outline clear plans for post-PCP activities. As outlined in the general annexes of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, the topic allows public buyers to use the fast-track PCP option (e.g. 2 instead of 3 phases) when they commit to buying or deploying the resulting solutions after the PCP. However, if such a commitment is not yet in place at the proposal stage, the call expects proposers to include a deliverable outlining concrete activities to prepare the ground for follow-up deployment or procurement after the PCP. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Launching the call for tenders for research and development services. The call for tenders should envisage a competitive development composed of different phases that would lead to at least 2 prototypes from 2 different providers to be validated in real operational environment at the end of the PCP cycle; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Conducting the competitive development of the prototypes following the PCP principles including a design phase, an integration and technical verification phase and a validation in real operational environment phase. In evaluating the proposals and the results of the PCP phases, the applicants should consider technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential of proposed research efforts. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9Consolidating the results of the evaluation of the developed prototypes, extracting conclusions and recommendations from the validation process, and defining a strategy for a potential uptake of solutions inspired in the PCP outcomes, including a complete technical specification of the envisaged solutions and standardisation needs and/or proposals. This strategy should consider joint-cross border procurement schemes and exploit synergies with other EU and national non-research funds. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1A community of EU civil security practitioners with common user/functional needs for innovative technology solutions is identified, supported by an industrial base, in particular SMEs and Startups, to access the public procurement market and scale up their business; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Procurers facilitated the commercialisation of the innovative solutions developed by their successful suppliers by providing them with first customer references for the validation and first pilot deployment; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Tested and validated capacity of EU technology and industrial base to develop and produce technology prototypes that meet the diverse needs of the EU user community, regardless of their gender, age and ability; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Improved delineation of the EU market (including demand and supply) for innovative civil security systems that can articulate alternative options for uptake in function of different industrialisation needs, commercialisation needs, acquisition needs, deployment needs and additional funding needs (beyond R&I funding). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Mandatory use of Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS earth observation and positioning dataIf 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. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Open market consultations across at least three EU Member StatesThe required open market consultations must be completed in at least three EU Member States, potentially utilizing prior consultations conducted under previous CSA projects. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Subcontracted work execution across at least three Member StatesBeneficiaries must ensure that the subcontracted work is performed in at least 3 Member States, unless otherwise approved by the granting authority. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Cooperation with policymakers on national innovation procurement frameworksActivities covered should include cooperation with policymakers to reinforce national policy frameworks and mobilise substantial additional national budgets for PCP and innovation procurement. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Building on previous Horizon Europe CSA project outcomesProposals should build on the outcomes of CSA projects funded under previous Horizon Europe work programmes aimed at creating stronger grounds for pre-commercial procurement of innovative security technologies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Synergies with EU and national non-research fundsThe uptake strategy should consider joint-cross border procurement schemes and exploit synergies with other EU and national non-research funds. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1eu directive on public procurementDirective 2014/24/EU (and related Directives 2014/25/EU and 2009/81/EC for defence and sensitive security) establishes the legal framework for public purchases across the EU, fostering fair competition, transparency, and equal treatment. It incorporates specific instruments for innovation, such as Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (PPI), allowing public buyers to steer research and market uptake. | · | · | 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.
Buyers group of public procurers
A minimum of two beneficiaries must be independent legal entities that are public procurers, each established in a different Member State or Associated Country and with at least one of them established in a Member State.
No potential providers in the consortium
To avoid conflicts of interest, there can be no participants in the consortium that are potential providers of solutions for the PCP (General Annex H).
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).
Practitioners and procurers consortium requirement
The action requires the participation, as beneficiaries, of at least 3 practitioners and 3 public procurers from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries, where one organisation can hold both roles simultaneously.
Buyer's group composition requirements
Among the public procurers in the buyer's group, minimum two must be independent legal entities that are public procurers, each established in a different Member State or Associated Country and with at least one established in a Member State, while the third procurer can be a private procurer or an NGO providing similar services of public interest.
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 will be rejected at the eligibility check if the consortium lacks at least 3 practitioners and 3 public procurers from three different Member States or Associated Countries. Crucially, at least two of these public procurers must be independent legal entities from different countries, with a minimum of one established in an EU Member State.
Source: Eligibility rules
To maximize scores under the Impact and Implementation criteria, the proposal must detail a robust post-PCP exploitation plan. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to reward projects that demonstrate concrete follow-up procurement schemes, cross-border uptake strategies, and synergies with non-R&I funding sources.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Consortia must strategically choose between a standard 3-phase PCP or a fast-track 2-phase PCP. The fast-track option is only permitted if public buyers formally commit to deploying the resulting solutions post-PCP at the proposal stage; without this upfront commitment, applicants must include a mandatory deliverable outlining concrete preparation activities for follow-up procurement.
Source: Scope
The competitive development phases must be structured to yield at least 2 operational prototypes from two different independent providers. These prototypes must undergo validation in a real operational environment at the end of the PCP cycle, making the field testing methodology a critical component of the work plan.
Source: Scope
The tender package, open market consultation, and validation methodology must strictly adhere to the EU Directive on public procurement. Evaluators will scrutinize the proposal to ensure the planned competitive dialogue and PCP mechanisms do not distort competition or violate state aid and non-discrimination principles.
Source: Underlying policies
Nothing to show for this call yet.