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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal under HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-DRS-04 must demonstrate a high-maturity (advancing to TRL 8) VR/AR multi-user simulation ecosystem explicitly co-designed and field-validated with mandatory civil protection authorities. Success hinges on embedding the platform within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) Training Programme and Preparedness Union Strategy, directly connecting Copernicus/DestinE data to real-time, cross-border decision workflows while strictly resolving interoperability, gender dimensions, and post-quantum cryptographic security.
TRL 4 → 8
Develop and validate innovative VR/AR-based crisis simulation models that accurately depict diverse large-scale disaster situations, including transboundary hazards such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and industrial accidents, incorporating near real-time data, AI-driven scenario adaptation, and multi-user interaction capabilities.
Address the interoperability of training platforms, allowing emergency services from different regions and countries to collaborate in joint preparedness exercises, and incorporate gender-sensitive approaches considering diverse needs and experiences.
Explore how digital training environments can enhance situational awareness, decision-making, and coordination among disaster management and relevant authorities, considering gamification techniques, AI-driven coaching systems, and real-time performance assessment.
Strengthen knowledge and experience-sharing mechanisms across EU member states by developing transnational training frameworks and crisis management protocols, in coordination with the UCPM Training Programme, including digital platforms and collaborative networks to exchange lessons learned.
Conduct a stakeholder or market analysis and a roadmap or plan for uptake of the developed methodologies, findings, and technologies to industry, the research and innovation community, and/or relevant authorities.
Address ethical, legal, and social aspects of immersive training technologies, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations, maximizing public trust, and implementing security measures for resilience against emerging cryptographic threats.
Align solutions with existing EU disaster risk reduction policies and international best practices, taking into account the Preparedness Union Strategy (notably the EU catalogue for training and lessons learned platform), analysing UCPM capacity gaps, and exploring synergies with operational grant projects like KAPP.
Where applicable, leverage data and services from European Research Infrastructures under EOSC, Copernicus, Destination Earth, and relevant Data Spaces, ensuring produced data adheres to FAIR principles.
Utilization of virtual and augmented reality training to simulate large-scale and transboundary disasters, improving disaster management’s readiness and response capabilities;
Development of diverse crisis scenarios using VR/AR technology, providing immersive, practical training experiences for emergency personnel, responders and decision makers;
Strengthened ability of responders and decision-makers to manage large-scale, cross-border disaster scenarios through advanced, technology-driven training programs;
Improved knowledge/experience-sharing from past emergencies to cope with future emergencies, also strengthening trans-national knowledge and data exchange among EU countries as well as from early warning to early action.
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
Preparedness Union Strategy
highThe Preparedness Union Strategy (grounded in the Niinistö report and subsequent Commission initiatives) focuses on strengthening the EU's civilian and military crisis readiness and cross-sectoral resilience against hybrid, natural, and geopolitical threats. It aims to develop a proactive, whole-of-society security and disaster management architecture capable of anticipating and withstanding polycrises.
Evaluators expect proposals to address cross-sectoral preparedness, demonstrate interoperability between diverse civil protection and security actors, and incorporate whole-of-society resilience concepts into operational workflows and disaster risk reduction plans.
Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)
highThe Union Civil Protection Mechanism (Decision No 1313/2013/EU, updated by Regulation (EU) 2021/836) coordinates the EU's response to natural and human-made disasters across participating states. It oversees operational capabilities such as the European Civil Protection Pool and the rescEU reserve, as well as joint training, prevention, and response activities coordinated through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC).
Evaluators look for direct integration with or support for UCPM structures, including alignment with standard operational procedures, potential contributions to rescEU or the European Civil Protection Pool, and clear validation pathways involving national civil protection authorities and the ERCC.
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).
Exclusion of China-controlled entities
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.
Eligibility of relevant international organisations
Relevant international organisations with headquarters in a Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country are exceptionally eligible for funding.
Disaster risk or crisis communication authorities requirement
This topic requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 3 authorities in charge of disaster risk or crisis communication, from at least 3 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.
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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 3 authorities in charge of disaster risk or crisis communication[[Authorities in charge of disaster risk or crisis communication entail public bodies operating at the national level that hold legally defined responsibilities in the area of disaster risk management. This includes national civil protection authorities as well as other institutions that can demonstrate, through appropriate legal or administrative acts, a formal mandate to design, coordinate, or implement disaster risk prevention, preparedness, response or crisis communication measures.]], 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)
Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1)
Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1 BLIND)
Standard application form (HE CSA)
Standard application form (HE CSA Stage 1)
Standard application form (HE CSA Stage 1 BLIND)
Standard application form (HE RI)
Standard application form (HE PCP)
Standard application form (HE PPI)
Standard application form (HE COFUND)
Standard application form (HE FPA)
Standard application form (HE MSCA PF)
Standard application form (HE MSCA DN)
Standard application form (HE MSCA SE)
Standard application form (HE MSCA COFUND)
Standard application form (HE MSCA COFUND CE)
Standard application form (HE ERC STG)
Standard application form (HE ERC COG)
Standard application form (HE ERC ADG)
Standard application form (HE ERC POC)
Standard application form (HE ERC SYG)
Standard application form (HE EIC PATHFINDER CHALLENGES)
Standard application form (HE EIC PATHFINDER OPEN)
Standard application form (HE EIC TRANSITION)
Standard application form (HE EIC STEP)
Standard application form (HE EIC Accelerator stage 2 - full proposal)
Standard application form (HE EIC Accelerator stage 1 - short proposal)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1)
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1 BLIND)
Standard evaluation form (HE PCP PPI)
Standard evaluation form (HE COFUND)
Standard evaluation form (HE FPA)
Standard evaluation form (HE MSCA)
Standard evaluation form (HE EIC PATHFINDER CHALLENGES)
Standard evaluation form (HE EIC PATHFINDER OPEN)
Standard evaluation form (HE EIC TRANSITION)
Standard evaluation form (HE EIC Accelerator stage 1 - short proposal)
Standard evaluation form (HE EIC Accelerator stage 2 - full proposal)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Framework Partnership Agreement FPA
Call-specific instructions
Information on financial support to third parties (HE)
Information on clinical studies (HE)
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 2. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 3. Research Infrastructures
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 4. Health
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 5. Culture, creativity and inclusive society
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 6. Civil Security for Society
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 10. European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE)
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 12. Missions
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 13. New European Bauhaus Facility (NEB)
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 13. 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 critical eligibility and administrative requirements: mandatory inclusion of at least 3 authorities in charge of disaster risk or crisis communication from 3 different Member States or Associated Countries as formal beneficiaries, completion of the 'Information about security practitioners' table, compliance with the China ownership/control exclusion, and mandatory use of Copernicus/Galileo/EGNOS space data. Under Excellence and Impact, evaluators will look for concrete operational validation reaching TRL 8, seamless integration with UCPM/KAPP initiatives, robust handling of FAIR/EOSC standards, and practical gender-sensitive training scenarios rather than abstract conceptual models. Since this is an Innovation Action funded under a lump-sum model with a 45-page Part B limit, evaluators will scrutinize work packages for clear milestone verifiability, rigorous risk management, and credible commercialization/uptake roadmaps.
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 and validate innovative VR/AR-based crisis simulation models that accurately depict diverse large-scale disaster situations, including transboundary hazards such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and industrial accidents, incorporating near real-time data, AI-driven scenario adaptation, and multi-user interaction capabilities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Address the interoperability of training platforms, allowing emergency services from different regions and countries to collaborate in joint preparedness exercises, and incorporate gender-sensitive approaches considering diverse needs and experiences. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Explore how digital training environments can enhance situational awareness, decision-making, and coordination among disaster management and relevant authorities, considering gamification techniques, AI-driven coaching systems, and real-time performance assessment. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Strengthen knowledge and experience-sharing mechanisms across EU member states by developing transnational training frameworks and crisis management protocols, in coordination with the UCPM Training Programme, including digital platforms and collaborative networks to exchange lessons learned. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Conduct a stakeholder or market analysis and a roadmap or plan for uptake of the developed methodologies, findings, and technologies to industry, the research and innovation community, and/or relevant authorities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Address ethical, legal, and social aspects of immersive training technologies, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations, maximizing public trust, and implementing security measures for resilience against emerging cryptographic threats. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Align solutions with existing EU disaster risk reduction policies and international best practices, taking into account the Preparedness Union Strategy (notably the EU catalogue for training and lessons learned platform), analysing UCPM capacity gaps, and exploring synergies with operational grant projects like KAPP. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Where applicable, leverage data and services from European Research Infrastructures under EOSC, Copernicus, Destination Earth, and relevant Data Spaces, ensuring produced data adheres to FAIR principles. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Utilization of virtual and augmented reality training to simulate large-scale and transboundary disasters, improving disaster management’s readiness and response capabilities; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Development of diverse crisis scenarios using VR/AR technology, providing immersive, practical training experiences for emergency personnel, responders and decision makers; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Strengthened ability of responders and decision-makers to manage large-scale, cross-border disaster scenarios through advanced, technology-driven training programs; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Improved knowledge/experience-sharing from past emergencies to cope with future emergencies, also strengthening trans-national knowledge and data exchange among EU countries as well as from early warning to early action. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Gender-sensitive approaches in crisis simulationsRecommendations taking into account gender-sensitive approaches should improve crisis simulations by considering diverse needs and experiences. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Coordination with UCPM Training Programme and transnational frameworksProposals should focus on strengthening knowledge and experience-sharing mechanisms across EU member states by developing transnational training frameworks and crisis management protocols, in coordination with the UCPM Training Programme. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Synergies with KAPP operational grants and UCPM capacity gap analysisProposals are recommended to analyse capacity gaps of the UCPM and find synergies with projects from operational grants, such as Knowledge for Action in Prevention & Preparedness (KAPP). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Leveraging European Research Infrastructures, EOSC, Copernicus, DestinE, and Data SpacesWhere applicable, proposals should leverage data and services available through European Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, Copernicus, Destination Earth, and relevant Data Spaces. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Adherence to FAIR data principlesParticular efforts should be made to ensure that data produced in the context of this topic is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable (FAIR). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS space 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 |
| REQ7Resilience against emerging cryptographic threatsImmersive training tools should include appropriate security measures for resilience against emerging cryptographic threats. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Compliance with security sensitive results and classified background provisionsSome activities may involve using classified background and/or producing security sensitive results (EUCI and SEN), requiring adherence to the related provisions in section B Security of the General Annexes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ9Ethical, legal, and social aspects and data protectionEthical, legal, and social aspects related to immersive training technologies must be addressed, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and maximizing public trust. | · | · | 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 subsequent Commission initiatives) focuses on strengthening the EU's civilian and military crisis readiness and cross-sectoral resilience against hybrid, natural, and geopolitical threats. It aims to develop a proactive, whole-of-society security and disaster management architecture capable of anticipating and withstanding polycrises. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2union civil protection mechanism (ucpm)The Union Civil Protection Mechanism (Decision No 1313/2013/EU, updated by Regulation (EU) 2021/836) coordinates the EU's response to natural and human-made disasters across participating states. It oversees operational capabilities such as the European Civil Protection Pool and the rescEU reserve, as well as joint training, prevention, and response activities coordinated through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). | · | · | 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).
Exclusion of China-controlled entities
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.
Eligibility of relevant international organisations
Relevant international organisations with headquarters in a Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country are exceptionally eligible for funding.
Disaster risk or crisis communication authorities requirement
This topic requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 3 authorities in charge of disaster risk or crisis communication, from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
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 automatically rejected at the eligibility check if it does not include at least 3 authorities in charge of disaster risk or crisis communication from 3 different Member States or Associated Countries as formal beneficiaries. Furthermore, applicants must complete the specific Information about security practitioners table in the application form to validate this statutory mandate.
Source: Eligibility rules
If your simulation ecosystem relies on satellite-based earth observation, positioning, or timing data, you are legally required to use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS services. Evaluators will check for this compliance, so explicitly map how your VR/AR platform ingests this specific European space data for near real-time scenario adaptation.
Source: Eligibility rules
Evaluators will not fund an isolated VR/AR tool; the platform must be explicitly co-designed to embed within the UCPM Training Programme and the Preparedness Union Strategy. Your proposal must directly address the key action to develop an EU catalogue for training and a platform for lessons learned, while demonstrating synergies with operational grants like KAPP.
Source: Scope
Beyond standard simulation features, the call explicitly mandates that crisis scenarios incorporate gender-sensitive approaches to address diverse needs during disasters. Additionally, the platform's architecture must demonstrate resilience against emerging cryptographic threats, making post-quantum security measures a critical evaluation driver under the Excellence criterion.
Source: Scope
Because this Innovation Action targets a highly mature TRL 8 and operates under a lump-sum funding model, your work packages must be structured around clear, verifiable milestones. Evaluators will heavily scrutinize the operational field-validation with civil protection authorities to ensure the commercialization and uptake roadmaps are credible within the strict 45-page limit.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
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