Horizon Europe: Civil Security for Society programme

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Horizon Europe is the most ambitious research and innovation programme in the history of the EU, and you could be part of it!

Are you a UK civil security organisation interested in developing new security-related:

  • technologies
  • methodologies
  • products
  • processes
  • services?

If yes, then this exciting funding opportunity may be for you!

The EU Commission’s Civil Security for Society (Cluster 3) work programme 2022 is available now, with funding of €190 million.

UK end users, industry, researchers and public bodies can collaborate with international partners to make real-world differences.

The opening date is 30 June 2022, and covers six specific security destinations.

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Develop ‘fit for purpose’ solutions

Each of the themed destinations challenge innovators to develop ‘fit for purpose’ solutions for the biggest security issues of our day.

This includes persistent security threats like terrorism and crime, including cybercrime, as well as natural and man-made disasters.

So, take a look at the Civil Security for Society work programme and see where your expertise and knowledge can make a difference and be rewarded through multimillion euro projects.

Topics for destinations

Find out about topics for each of the destinations.

Fighting crime and terrorism

Topics include:

  • improved crime scene investigations related to transfer, persistence and background abundance
  • understanding the influence of organisational cultures and human interactions in the forensic context as well as a common lexicon
  • enhanced fight against the abuse of online gaming culture by extremists
  • ensuring public spaces are protected while respecting privacy and avoiding mass surveillance
  • effective fight against corruption
  • effective fight against illicit drugs production and trafficking and trafficking in human beings.
european border crossing at night

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Border management

Topics include:

  • improved underwater detection and control capabilities to protect maritime areas and sea harbours
  • enhanced security of, and combating the frauds on, identity management and identity and travel documents
  • better, more portable and quicker analysis and detection for customs
  • two open topics.

Resilient infrastructure

Topics include:

  • nature based solutions integrated to protect local infrastructure
  • autonomous systems used for infrastructure protection.

Increased cybersecurity

Topics include:

  • improved monitoring of threats, intrusion detection and response in complex and heterogeneous digital systems and infrastructures
  • trust-worthy methodologies, tools and data security “by design” for dynamic testing of potentially vulnerable, insecure hardware and software components
  • transition towards quantum-resistant cryptography
  • development and validation of processes and tools used for agile certification of information and communications technology (ICT) products, ICT services and ICT processes.

Disaster resilience

Topics include:

  • enhanced citizen preparedness in the event of a disaster or crisis-related emergency
  • enhanced preparedness and management of high-impact low-probability or unexpected events
  • improved quality assurance or quality control of data used in decision making related to risk management of natural hazards, accidents and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear events
  • better understanding of citizens’ behavioural and psychological reactions in the event of a disaster or crisis
  • improved impact forecasting and early warning systems supporting the rapid deployment of first responders in vulnerable areas
  • improved disaster risk pricing assessment
  • improved international cooperation addressing first responder capability gaps
  • enhanced situational awareness and preparedness of first responders and improved capacities to minimise time to react in urban areas in the case of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive related events.
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Strengthened security research and innovation

Topics include:

  • increased foresight capacity for security
  • knowledge networks for security research and innovation
  • stronger grounds for pre-commercial procurement of innovative security technologies
  • social innovations as enablers of security solutions and increased security perception.

You can access the full PDF version of the Civil Security for Society work programme.

The opportunity opens on 30 June 2022 and the closing date is 23 November 2022.

Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration

Participating in civil security for society projects offers a multitude of benefits.

It is much more than just the funding.

It provides an opportunity for collaboration and cooperation on an international scale.
This includes the sharing of knowledge, experience, expertise, and mutual learning.

Diverse group of people discussing with each other

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Heart of a research community

Projects can provide the means for you, your organisation, and your workforce to grow.

It places you at the heart of a research community in which your ideas can flourish.

It also offers an opportunity to either showcase your innovation or contribute in developing new innovation.

Here to help

As the UK’s national contact point (NCP) and innovation lead and security, I am here to provide practical help and advice for those wanting to know about participation.

I work closely with my NCP colleagues to ensure that the service we offer is second to none.

We can answer questions about any aspect of Horizon Europe funding, including:

  • navigating funding opportunities and choosing where to apply
  • finding partners
  • proposal preparation and the application process
  • admin and finance questions.

If you are new to European funding, this webinar may be useful. It also contains an overview of Horizon Europe.

For more information on the civil security for society work programme, please get in touch with me at zale.johnson@innovateuk.ukri.org.

You can also subscribe to receive free Horizon Europe updates on funding opportunities, news and events related to your area of interest.

Further information, help and support

You can download the European Commission Q&A (PDF) which confirms that UK entities are already eligible to apply for Horizon Europe.
UKRI page on Horizon Europe including help for UK applicants.
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