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Strategic Analysis
This call targets advanced photonic imaging and sensing technologies to achieve TRL 7, focusing on their demonstration in operational environments across strategic European sectors. A winning proposal must clearly articulate how its innovative solutions contribute to Europe's technological sovereignty and industrial leadership, aligning with the Digital Green Deal and the Photonics Partnership, by developing next-generation sensory systems with strong market uptake potential.
TRL 3 → 7
Automotive, where detection of pedestrians, obstacles and other vehicles at long distance is required in order to safely prepare the reaction of the vehicle in all weather conditions;
Safety and security, where fast reconnaissance and identification of collaborative or non-collaborative targets and surveillance of infrastructures are required;
Industry, where imaging can be used for logistics and inspection and analysis of safety and quality control of processes or produced goods;
Health, where minimally and non-invasive spectroscopic and biophotonic imaging and sensing techniques enable diagnosis, screening, monitoring and treatment of a patient, possibly including augmented reality (AR) visualization;
Agriculture and food, where spectroscopic imaging and sensing enables non-destructive measurement/monitoring of plants and crops and plant nutrients during production and post-harvest (e.g., phenotyping); this allows fast interactions/adjustments and enables monitoring of plant materials and food products along the entire production chain for quality and safety aspects.
Long range, high speed, eye-safe imaging for automotive, security, and industrial systems
Imaging in presence of obscurants for medical, automotive, manufacturing, agriculture, food and security, spectroscopic imaging and sensing for medical, environmental, agriculture, food monitoring and security.
The development of next generations sensory systems based on photonic technologies
Technology leadership in autonomous vehicles, robots and sensory systems; Growth in a number of strategic industries such as medical devices, automotive, manufacturing, agriculture & food, security of large added value which are in Europe.
Contribution to the Digital Green deal policy and/or to the technological sovereignty of Europe.
Open strategic autonomy in digital technologies and in future emerging enabling technologies , by strengthening European capacities in key parts of digital and future supply chains, allowing agile responses to urgent needs, and by investing in early discovery and industrial uptake of new technologies.
Europe’s open strategic autonomy by sustaining first-mover advantages in strategic areas including AI, data, robotics, quantum computing, and graphene, and by investing early in emerging enabling technologies.
Reinforced European industry leadership across the digital supply chain.
Robust European industrial and technology presence in all key parts of a greener digital supply chain, from low-power components to advanced systems, future networks, new data technologies and platforms.
No EU policy alignment identified for this call.
No specific eligibility rules extracted from this call.
General conditions
1. Admissibility conditions — 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.
2. Eligible Countries — 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 .
3. Other Eligibility Conditions — described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion — described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual . Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. The funding rate is up to 60% of the eligible costs. This funding rate applies to both members and non-members of the partnership, except for non-profit legal entities, where the funding rate is up to 100% of the total eligible costs. 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 ]].
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants — described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
7. Specific conditions: described in the specific topic of the Work Programme. Documents Call documents: Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) — call-specific application form is available in the Submission System Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) — will be used with the necessary adaptations Lump Sum MGA v1.0 — MGA Detailed budget table (HE LS) Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 13. General Annexes HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Evaluators will prioritize proposals demonstrating a clear path to market (TRL 7), strong industrial relevance, and a tangible contribution to Europe's strategic autonomy and industrial leadership in digital and emerging technologies. Evidence of cross-sectoral applicability or a deep dive into one or two critical sectors with high impact potential will be key, alongside a robust plan for technology validation in relevant operational environments and a strong consortium with industrial partners. Alignment with the Digital Green Deal and the Photonics Partnership is crucial.
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 | |||
| SC1Automotive, where detection of pedestrians, obstacles and other vehicles at long distance is required in order to safely prepare the reaction of the vehicle in all weather conditions; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Safety and security, where fast reconnaissance and identification of collaborative or non-collaborative targets and surveillance of infrastructures are required; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Industry, where imaging can be used for logistics and inspection and analysis of safety and quality control of processes or produced goods; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Health, where minimally and non-invasive spectroscopic and biophotonic imaging and sensing techniques enable diagnosis, screening, monitoring and treatment of a patient, possibly including augmented reality (AR) visualization; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Agriculture and food, where spectroscopic imaging and sensing enables non-destructive measurement/monitoring of plants and crops and plant nutrients during production and post-harvest (e.g., phenotyping); this allows fast interactions/adjustments and enables monitoring of plant materials and food products along the entire production chain for quality and safety aspects. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Long range, high speed, eye-safe imaging for automotive, security, and industrial systems | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Imaging in presence of obscurants for medical, automotive, manufacturing, agriculture, food and security, spectroscopic imaging and sensing for medical, environmental, agriculture, food monitoring and security. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1The development of next generations sensory systems based on photonic technologies | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Technology leadership in autonomous vehicles, robots and sensory systems; Growth in a number of strategic industries such as medical devices, automotive, manufacturing, agriculture & food, security of large added value which are in Europe. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Contribution to the Digital Green deal policy and/or to the technological sovereignty of Europe. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| No other requirements in this call. | |||
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Open strategic autonomy in digital technologies and in future emerging enabling technologies , by strengthening European capacities in key parts of digital and future supply chains, allowing agile responses to urgent needs, and by investing in early discovery and industrial uptake of new technologies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Europe’s open strategic autonomy by sustaining first-mover advantages in strategic areas including AI, data, robotics, quantum computing, and graphene, and by investing early in emerging enabling technologies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Reinforced European industry leadership across the digital supply chain. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Robust European industrial and technology presence in all key parts of a greener digital supply chain, from low-power components to advanced systems, future networks, new data technologies and platforms. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| No underlying policies in this call. | |||
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).
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. The steps below fill in as it takes shape, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
Step 1 of 2 · Build your concept
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Current imaging and sensing technologies often lack the required performance (e.g., long-range, high-speed, eye-safety, operation in obscurants) or integration levels needed for widespread adoption in demanding applications like autonomous vehicles, precision agriculture, or advanced medical diagnostics. This hinders innovation and market competitiveness for European industries.
A significant portion of advanced imaging and sensing components or integrated systems are sourced from outside Europe, posing risks to supply chain resilience, technological sovereignty, and the ability of European industries to rapidly respond to strategic needs and maintain a competitive edge.
Many sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing, require more sophisticated, non-destructive, and real-time monitoring tools to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance sustainability. Current technologies do not adequately provide these capabilities, limiting progress towards environmental goals.
Manufacturers, integrators, and SMEs involved in the development and production of photonic components and systems.
Companies in the automotive, healthcare, agri-food, security, and manufacturing sectors that will integrate and utilize the advanced imaging and sensing technologies.
Academic and industrial R&D teams working on advanced imaging, sensing, and related digital technologies.
Beneficiaries of improved safety (e.g., autonomous vehicles, security), better health outcomes (e.g., medical diagnostics), and higher quality, more sustainably produced food.
Entities responsible for shaping digital and industrial policies, and for developing technical standards that will facilitate the adoption of new technologies.
Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
The project will foster the development and manufacturing of critical photonic components and systems within Europe, enhancing the resilience of strategic supply chains and contributing to Europe's technological sovereignty in digital and emerging technologies.
By achieving TRL 7, the project will position European industry at the forefront of next-generation sensory systems, enabling new applications in autonomous systems, medical diagnostics, and precision agriculture, thereby sustaining first-mover advantages.
The project's innovations will lead to commercially viable products and services, allowing European companies to capture a larger share of the global market for high-performance imaging and sensing solutions, reinforcing European industry leadership.
The developed technologies will enable more precise monitoring and control in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, leading to reduced resource consumption, waste, and overall environmental impact, fostering a greener digital supply chain.