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Strategic Analysis
This topic tackles the critical intersection of European strategic autonomy, technological leadership, and socioeconomic equity in Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM). A winning proposal must combine AI-powered global supply chain mapping with advanced participatory foresight methods iteratively validated across a mandatory minimum of 3 diverse Living Labs. Crucially, the consortium must bridge economic-transport dynamic modeling with concrete policy and industrial roadmaps directly plugged into the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (@ECAVA) and the European Automotive Action Plan.
TRL 2 → 6
Conduct a comprehensive geopolitical and economic analysis of CCAM to map Europe’s strategic position in global competition. Identify vulnerabilities, dependencies and opportunities in business models, supply chains, critical raw materials, technological capabilities, digital and physical infrastructure, validation processes, safety benchmarks, and pricing strategies, supported by AI-driven analytics and innovation mapping tools. The analysis should also assess large-scale CCAM initiatives worldwide, identifying scaling trajectories, tipping points, commercialization barriers, and success factors. These insights should inform strategic policymaking, investment decisions, and Europe’s regulatory positioning in global CCAM markets.
Develop novel, stakeholder-driven participatory future scenarios to explore plausible geopolitical, technological, and economic developments affecting CCAM, and define associated transition pathways toward desirable European futures that ensure resilience, strategic autonomy, and competitiveness. Use advanced foresight methods (e.g. qualitative scenarios, horizon scanning, technology roadmapping, etc.), complemented by iterative validation through a minimum of three dedicated Living Labs, to understand trade-offs, assess risks, and define strategic priorities under different global conditions. The project should also identify KPIs that capture European added value, unique selling points, and global market positioning, and apply these to assess and guide CCAM competitiveness The project should also identify KPIs that measure the European added value, its unique selling points and global market positioning, to apply these KPIs to define CCAM competitiveness.
Assess the socioeconomic impacts of different CCAM deployment pathways, focusing on economic, employment, and social equity dimensions. Analyse income growth, employment effects, regional economic convergence, and productivity gains using integrated economic-transport modelling approaches that account for dynamic interactions and systemic feedback across Member States and Associated Countries, economic sectors, and demographic groups. Identify potential disparities and propose policy recommendations and investment strategies to ensure that CCAM contributes to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economic growth across all regions of Europe. This should include an evaluation of how CCAM deployment can reduce Europe’s reliance on external supply chains, while enhancing industrial competitiveness.
Develop robust policy recommendations, governance models, and business strategies informed by institutional diagnostics and tested under diverse future conditions through scenario-based stress testing to reinforce Europe’s leadership and economic resilience in CCAM. Ensure regulatory alignment with global standards, strengthen supply chain resilience by reducing reliance on non-EU dependencies, and promote an open yet competitive market environment. Business strategies should identify viable business cases, recommend sectoral R&D priorities, and support innovation scaling, particularly for SMEs and micro-enterprises. Policies and strategies must be adaptable to shifting geopolitical and economic conditions, securing Europe’s long-term market competitiveness and technological sovereignty.
Assessment of Europe’s CCAM position in global competition, identifying strategic vulnerabilities, dependencies and opportunities across business models, supply chains, critical components, technological capabilities, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks, supported by advanced AI-driven analytics and innovation mapping tools.
Stakeholder-driven, participatory future scenarios and strategic pathways that define Europe’s leading role in the evolving geopolitical, technological, and economic landscape of CCAM. These should be developed using advanced foresight methods ( e.g. qualitative scenarios, horizon scanning, technology roadmapping, etc.), complemented by iterative validation through a minimum of 3 dedicated Living Labs selected to represent diverse European regions, urbanisation levels, and governance capacities, ensuring a structured, robust, and anticipatory approach to long-term decision-making.
A data-driven understanding of the socioeconomic effects of different CCAM deployment pathways, based on a quantified assessment across Member States and Associated Countries, economic sectors, and demographic groups, at national and cross-national levels, using innovative, integrated economic-transport modelling that captures dynamic interactions, systemic feedback loops, and long-term impacts. Socioeconomic effects may include, but are not limited to, employment and growth aspects, equity, and transport poverty.
Robust governance models, policies and business strategies (including for SMEs and micro-enterprises) that strengthen Europe’s leadership, economic resilience, and market positioning in CCAM, developed through interdisciplinary methods combining policy analysis, institutional diagnostics, and scenario-based stress testing, to ensure robustness under diverse future geopolitical and economic conditions. These should identify viable business cases, recommend sectoral R&D priorities, and support innovation scaling for both public and private entities. Additionally, they should ensure long-term adaptability to geopolitical and market uncertainties, promote equitable growth, reduce external dependencies, and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities, all while promoting sustainable growth.
Ensuring close coordination and synergies the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA), in particular the autonomous driving roadmap, announced by the European Automotive Action Plan.
Improved mobility for people and goods in all weather conditions, ensuring safe, shared, inclusive, affordable, attractive, and accessible door-to-door mobility, for private and public transport in mixed traffic and confined areas, as well as open roads.
Seamless integration of CCAM solutions into existing transport ecosystems to ensure interoperability, promote multimodality, enhance traffic safety, catering to diverse user needs and behaviours.
Resilient, climate-neutral, and sustainable mobility solutions with reduced carbon footprints, resulting in greener, less congested, cost-effective, and demand-responsive transport systems.
Increased competitiveness of the transport system using secure and hyper-advanced technologies such as real-time perception, situational awareness, and decision-making systems, based on trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (including Edge and Generative AI), satellite navigation, smart traffic management, and tools for software development for CCAM applications.
Enhanced resilience of transport networks through improved operational efficiency for both passenger and intermodal freight transport, future-proofed mobility systems supporting EU competitiveness while ensuring affordable and accessible transport for all passengers.
Drastic reduction in road fatalities for all types of users, especially on rural areas
Improved resilience of the public transport system via the use of AI
Advanced technologies and methods for improved reliability in complex environments for aviation
European Automotive Action Plan
highThe European Automotive Action Plan (historically rooted in CARS 2020 and updated strategic industrial roadmaps) outlines strategic priorities to maintain a competitive, sustainable, and connected automotive sector in the EU. It focuses on accelerating the transition to clean mobility, connected and automated driving (CCAM), and ensuring digital sovereignty in vehicle technologies.
Evaluators expect proposals to align with EU industrial competitiveness objectives for connected and automated mobility (CCAM). This includes demonstrating how generative AI solutions strengthen the European automotive value chain, support vehicle safety and digital transformation, and overcome industrial validation and testing bottlenecks.
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).
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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.
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).
Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
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.
Not applicable.
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)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility
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 focus primarily on two explicit call-mandated operational requirements: first, the concrete establishment and iterative validation within at least three dedicated Living Labs exhibiting regional, urbanisation, and governance diversity; second, formal, measurable coordination pathways with @ECAVA and CCAM Partnership structures. In addition, because this is an RIA funded under a lump-sum regime with an indicative budget of €4.0M, evaluators will scrutinize the credibility of the interdisciplinary methodology (coupling macro-transport modeling with AI-driven supply chain analytics) and clear work package milestones ensuring actionable business models for EU SMEs.
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 | |||
| SC1Conduct a comprehensive geopolitical and economic analysis of CCAM to map Europe’s strategic position in global competition. Identify vulnerabilities, dependencies and opportunities in business models, supply chains, critical raw materials, technological capabilities, digital and physical infrastructure, validation processes, safety benchmarks, and pricing strategies, supported by AI-driven analytics and innovation mapping tools. The analysis should also assess large-scale CCAM initiatives worldwide, identifying scaling trajectories, tipping points, commercialization barriers, and success factors. These insights should inform strategic policymaking, investment decisions, and Europe’s regulatory positioning in global CCAM markets. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Develop novel, stakeholder-driven participatory future scenarios to explore plausible geopolitical, technological, and economic developments affecting CCAM, and define associated transition pathways toward desirable European futures that ensure resilience, strategic autonomy, and competitiveness. Use advanced foresight methods (e.g. qualitative scenarios, horizon scanning, technology roadmapping, etc.), complemented by iterative validation through a minimum of three dedicated Living Labs, to understand trade-offs, assess risks, and define strategic priorities under different global conditions. The project should also identify KPIs that capture European added value, unique selling points, and global market positioning, and apply these to assess and guide CCAM competitiveness The project should also identify KPIs that measure the European added value, its unique selling points and global market positioning, to apply these KPIs to define CCAM competitiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Assess the socioeconomic impacts of different CCAM deployment pathways, focusing on economic, employment, and social equity dimensions. Analyse income growth, employment effects, regional economic convergence, and productivity gains using integrated economic-transport modelling approaches that account for dynamic interactions and systemic feedback across Member States and Associated Countries, economic sectors, and demographic groups. Identify potential disparities and propose policy recommendations and investment strategies to ensure that CCAM contributes to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economic growth across all regions of Europe. This should include an evaluation of how CCAM deployment can reduce Europe’s reliance on external supply chains, while enhancing industrial competitiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Develop robust policy recommendations, governance models, and business strategies informed by institutional diagnostics and tested under diverse future conditions through scenario-based stress testing to reinforce Europe’s leadership and economic resilience in CCAM. Ensure regulatory alignment with global standards, strengthen supply chain resilience by reducing reliance on non-EU dependencies, and promote an open yet competitive market environment. Business strategies should identify viable business cases, recommend sectoral R&D priorities, and support innovation scaling, particularly for SMEs and micro-enterprises. Policies and strategies must be adaptable to shifting geopolitical and economic conditions, securing Europe’s long-term market competitiveness and technological sovereignty. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Assessment of Europe’s CCAM position in global competition, identifying strategic vulnerabilities, dependencies and opportunities across business models, supply chains, critical components, technological capabilities, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks, supported by advanced AI-driven analytics and innovation mapping tools. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Stakeholder-driven, participatory future scenarios and strategic pathways that define Europe’s leading role in the evolving geopolitical, technological, and economic landscape of CCAM. These should be developed using advanced foresight methods ( e.g. qualitative scenarios, horizon scanning, technology roadmapping, etc.), complemented by iterative validation through a minimum of 3 dedicated Living Labs selected to represent diverse European regions, urbanisation levels, and governance capacities, ensuring a structured, robust, and anticipatory approach to long-term decision-making. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3A data-driven understanding of the socioeconomic effects of different CCAM deployment pathways, based on a quantified assessment across Member States and Associated Countries, economic sectors, and demographic groups, at national and cross-national levels, using innovative, integrated economic-transport modelling that captures dynamic interactions, systemic feedback loops, and long-term impacts. Socioeconomic effects may include, but are not limited to, employment and growth aspects, equity, and transport poverty. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Robust governance models, policies and business strategies (including for SMEs and micro-enterprises) that strengthen Europe’s leadership, economic resilience, and market positioning in CCAM, developed through interdisciplinary methods combining policy analysis, institutional diagnostics, and scenario-based stress testing, to ensure robustness under diverse future geopolitical and economic conditions. These should identify viable business cases, recommend sectoral R&D priorities, and support innovation scaling for both public and private entities. Additionally, they should ensure long-term adaptability to geopolitical and market uncertainties, promote equitable growth, reduce external dependencies, and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities, all while promoting sustainable growth. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO5Ensuring close coordination and synergies the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA), in particular the autonomous driving roadmap, announced by the European Automotive Action Plan. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Iterative validation in at least three dedicated Living LabsForesight methods and scenarios must be iteratively validated through a minimum of three dedicated Living Labs representing diverse European regions, urbanisation levels, and governance capacities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Synergies with ECAVA and CCAM Partnership structuresEnsure close coordination and synergies with the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA), particularly the autonomous driving roadmap, as well as formal CCAM Partnership structures. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOSIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Interdisciplinary methodology combining macro-transport modelling and AI analyticsProposals must deploy an interdisciplinary methodology coupling dynamic macro-transport and economic modelling with institutional diagnostics, AI-driven supply chain analytics, and policy analysis. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Involvement of diverse stakeholders in participatory foresight scenariosDevelop novel, stakeholder-driven participatory future scenarios and transition pathways to assess trade-offs, risks, and strategic priorities for policymakers, businesses, and investors. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Improved mobility for people and goods in all weather conditions, ensuring safe, shared, inclusive, affordable, attractive, and accessible door-to-door mobility, for private and public transport in mixed traffic and confined areas, as well as open roads. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Seamless integration of CCAM solutions into existing transport ecosystems to ensure interoperability, promote multimodality, enhance traffic safety, catering to diverse user needs and behaviours. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Resilient, climate-neutral, and sustainable mobility solutions with reduced carbon footprints, resulting in greener, less congested, cost-effective, and demand-responsive transport systems. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Increased competitiveness of the transport system using secure and hyper-advanced technologies such as real-time perception, situational awareness, and decision-making systems, based on trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (including Edge and Generative AI), satellite navigation, smart traffic management, and tools for software development for CCAM applications. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5Enhanced resilience of transport networks through improved operational efficiency for both passenger and intermodal freight transport, future-proofed mobility systems supporting EU competitiveness while ensuring affordable and accessible transport for all passengers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6Drastic reduction in road fatalities for all types of users, especially on rural areas | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI7Improved resilience of the public transport system via the use of AI | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI8Advanced technologies and methods for improved reliability in complex environments for aviation | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1european automotive action planThe European Automotive Action Plan (historically rooted in CARS 2020 and updated strategic industrial roadmaps) outlines strategic priorities to maintain a competitive, sustainable, and connected automotive sector in the EU. It focuses on accelerating the transition to clean mobility, connected and automated driving (CCAM), and ensuring digital sovereignty in vehicle technologies. | · | · | 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).
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.
A winning consortium must embed at least three dedicated Living Labs that explicitly demonstrate diversity in regional geography, urbanisation levels, and governance capacities. Because evaluators are instructed to focus primarily on this operational requirement, treating these labs as mere dissemination channels rather than core iterative validation engines will severely penalize the proposal.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
Proposals must establish formal, measurable coordination pathways with the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (@ECAVA) and the CCAM Partnership. Evaluators will specifically look for this structural alignment, meaning the work plan must include dedicated tasks and resources for synchronising policy roadmaps with the European Automotive Action Plan.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
Because this is a lump-sum regime, the financial architecture is intrinsically tied to the work package milestones. Evaluators will heavily scrutinize the credibility of these milestones, particularly those delivering actionable business models for EU SMEs derived from the interdisciplinary methodology.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
The methodological core must bridge two traditionally separate domains: AI-driven global supply chain analytics and integrated economic-transport dynamic modelling. A proposal that fails to demonstrate systemic feedback loops across Member States and demographic groups in its socioeconomic assessment will fail to meet the mandatory scope requirements.
Source: Scope
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.
European CCAM stakeholders face profound strategic vulnerabilities regarding critical raw materials, advanced semiconductors, high-definition mapping data, and AI software architectures predominantly controlled by non-EU actors.
Uncoordinated deployment of autonomous fleets risks exacerbating regional imbalances, displacing legacy transport workers, and creating digital transit deserts in peripheral or rural territories.
Current CCAM technology roadmaps operate in silos without dynamic geopolitical stress testing or alignment with major industrial alliances like @ECAVA, slowing down SME commercialisation.
Directorates-General (e.g., DG MOVE, DG GROW), national transport ministries, and regulatory bodies needing actionable transition roadmaps and geopolitical risk mitigations.
European automotive industry players, tech startups, and SME innovators seeking resilient business models, standardisation insights, and scalable commercialisation pathways.
Municipal and regional transport authorities managing the 3+ Living Lab testbeds and integrating CCAM within Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs).
Academic researchers and think tanks working on transport economics, geopolitical foresight methodologies, macroeconomic simulation, and automated mobility systems.
Passengers, vulnerable road users, and rural/peri-urban populations impacted by automated transit accessibility, cost, and employment shifts.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Significant reduction of critical component dependencies in automated mobility ecosystems, stimulating EU gross value added and safeguarding industrial leadership.
Mitigation of territorial disparities and avoidance of transport poverty through balanced CCAM implementation guidelines validated in regional Living Labs.
Institutional adoption of stress-tested policy roadmaps aligned with ECAVA and international safety benchmarks to de-risk investments.