"Horizon Europe: Civil security for society" Newsletter Issues

Call for funding is now open! (02/07/2024)

Over €190 million are available to fund new research proposals under the Horizon Europe - Civil Security for Society call. Does your research fight terrorism, enhance cybersecurity or contribute to creating a disaster-resilient society? Apply now!

Watch the Info Day recording (02/07/2024)

Have you missed the Horizon Europe - Civil Security for Society Info Day on 12 & 13 June? Don’t worry, the event recording is available now!

Interview with the ASSISTANCE Project (02/07/2024)

Do you want to find out more on the security research activities we support? Check out our interview with Christian Rigal from VIASAT ANTENNA SYSTEMS SA, one of the participants in the EU-funded ASSISTANCE Project, focussing on emergency first-responders.

Testing the acceptance of smart border control technologies (02/07/2024)

Researchers of the EU-funded METICOS project aim to advance the uptake and acceptance of no gate security solutions, by better understanding how users feel about smart border technologies. Check out the new CORDIS article on the project to learn how METICOS revolutionises customs and immigration.

European Week of Regions and Cities (07/10/2024)

The EU Regions Week will take place from 7-10 October 2024. As part of the event, REA will host the workshop ‘Enhancing Risk Awareness and Promoting Technologies for Better Prepared and Resilient EU Communities’ on 9 October. Registration will open early July.

Science for Democracy! (29/05/2024)

In the lead-up to the European Elections, REA launched a ‘Science for Democracy’ campaign, which aims to explore the multifaceted ways EU-funded research nurtures citizen participation. Two notable projects in this campaign are VIGILANT and FERMI. Both projects are supporting law enforcement agencies in the fight against disinformation campaigns, including those that target free and fair elections.

Registration is now open! (29/05/2024)

Register today for the Horizon Europe - Civil Security for Society Info Day and Brokerage event 12-13 June! The EU-funded project SEREN5, in cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate for Migration and Home Affairs and the European Research Executive Agency (REA), has organised a two-day info event for potential beneficiaries of the 2024 Horizon Europe calls for proposals.

EITHOS at the EU Open Day (29/05/2024)

To celebrate Europe Day, the EU Institutions opened their doors to the public on 4 May, offering a day full of events and activities. In Berlaymont’s ‘Democracy Village’, the EU-funded EITHOS project showcased its novel Identity Theft Observatory System, aimed at raising public awareness about online identity theft and its associated risks and societal impact.

Celebrating 20 years of the 2004 EU Enlargement (29/05/2024)

The 20th anniversary of the EU's 2004 enlargement is an occasion to celebrate a new era. It opened doors for a generation of EU researchers to collaborate across borders and advancing the frontiers of science. Based in Estonia, the SilentBorder project tackles the growing problem of counterfeit and pirated products crossing borders.

Cordis Results in Brief: LINKS EU project (29/05/2024)

Have you ever wondered how social media can improve Europe’s resilience to natural and human-made hazards? The LINKS project unites first responders, public authorities, citizens, and researchers from across Europe to facilitate the integration of social media and crowdsourcing into disaster risk management strategies. Check out the new CORDIS article highlighting the work of the LINKS EU Project!

Pre-Info Day on Horizon Europe - Cluster 3: Paving the way to participation (14/03/2024)

On 22 March 2024, the SEREN5 EU-funded project will organise an online event dedicated to potential Horizon Europe – Cluster 3 applicants. The pre-Info Day will guide participant through the 2024 Work Programme and highlight available tools for collaboration.

Results in brief: Resilient infrastructure in an age of terrorism and cyberattacks (14/03/2024)

An assault on vital infrastructure has the potential to cause significant harm and spread to other crucial services, bringing cities to a standstill. The PRAETORIAN project aims to enhance infrastructure security and resilience by addressing both physical and digital threats through coordinated protection and response to prevent cascading.

European Research and Innovation Days (20/03/2024)

Annually, the European Commission hosts an event gathering policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and the public to discuss and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond. This year we will celebrate 40 years of the EU’s Research and Innovation Framework Programmes with a journey through successful projects and their societal impact. Signup for online participation is still possible!

Researchers and small businesses join forces against hackers (14/03/2024)

The EU-funded projects CyberKit4SME and ENSURESC developed enhanced cybersecurity defences for SMEs against hackers and fraudsters.CyberKit4SME created software options that help SMEs store and access their data more securely, while ENSUREC created a software tool that uses AI to monitor a company’s internal networks, which are shielded from the outside internet.

Europe’s leading event for digital security and trust: InCyber Forum (26/03/2024)

This year, the 16th edition of the InCyber Forum Europe will take place in Lille, France. Discover the programme, speakers, experiences and associated events. Register to attend and join this incredible cyber community!

Creating a safer space for children online (14/03/2024)

The increasing use of digital technology has led to more frequent crimes related to child sexual abuse. On the occasion of the EU Safer Internet Day, we looked at how EU-funded research can make a difference by creating innovative tools to help prevent child sexual exploitation and facilitate effective responses to such crimes.

The Festival of the New European Bauhaus (09/04/2024)

The festival is an occasion to meet innovators, creators, scientists, people and collectives from all walks of life, contributing to building a sustainable and inclusive future. This is the second edition with events organised in Brussels and across Europe. Discover the programme and register!

Coming soon: EU Open Day 2024 (04/05/2024)

EITHOS is one of the EU-funded projects that will be present at this year’s edition of the EU Open Day. On this occasion, EU institutions open their doors to visitors, who can discover many different educational and fun activities, including EITHOS’ deep-fakes detection tool. The event takes place every year to celebrate Europe Day. Stay tuned! More details to be announced soon.

High interest in the last Civil Security for Society call for funding! (28/11/2023)

247 project proposals were submitted for EU funding under the latest Horizon Europe Cluster 3 – Civil Security for Society call. The total budget available to fund the selected projects is €115.5 million. These proposals are now under evaluation by independent experts. For more information about the next steps, check out the timeline on our website under each destination!

Creating a safer space for children online (28/11/2023)

The increasing use of digital technology has led to more frequent crimes related to child sexual abuse. Offenders are using the internet to connect with minors and share child sexual abuse material online. On the European Day against Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation we looked at how EU-funded research can make a difference by creating innovative tools to help prevent child sexual exploitation, facilitate effective responses to such crimes.

Building trust in science for peace and development (28/11/2023)

Science can play a vital role in creating the conditions for peace and in turn, allow for societies to flourish. The PeaceTraining.eu project, funded through Cluster 3, developed a novel, multi-lingual approach: an online platform to advance conflict prevention capabilities. It allows actors from various sectors to connect, trainers to boost their skills and individuals to find courses that suit their needs. Discover how EU-funded research can influence society and build peace.

Look back at the selected projects for this year’s Cybersecurity month (28/11/2023)

This year’s Cyber Security Month is a good time to raise awareness about cyber threats and to learn new online tricks. The theme of this year’s was Social Engineering - a grey area covering phishing emails and impersonation scams. Examples of projects covering this are EITHOS, which is developing an Identity Theft Observatory system, and FERMI, which is creating a fake news mitigator.

Tips and tools on how to make the most of your research (28/11/2023)

Communicating about your project can seem like a difficult task. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. REA prepared a summary of tips and tools to learn all about how to acknowledge EU funding, the difference between communication, dissemination and exploitation as well as data protection and GDPR.

European Research and Innovation Days 2024 (20/03/2024)

The European Commission’s annual flagship event brings together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and the public to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond. It is an opportunity to debate how we can make Europe more sustainable and competitive and to celebrate the outcomes and achievements in research and innovation over the last 40 years.

Annual event of the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (14/12/2023)

The European Commission is bringing together security research practitioners, policymakers, researchers, civil society and industry to discuss topics that have an impact on research and innovation. Facilitating the exchange of experiences and research results is the main goal in order to find potential synergies and mutual inspiration, while bolstering European collaboration.

Watch the recordings of the Security Research Event 2023 (28/11/2023)

The Security Research Event (SRE) showed its significance by bringing together policymakers, first responders, researchers, and industry to discuss challenges for civil security, and ways in which research and innovation can contribute towards policy goals. You can now watch the recordings from both days of this event online.

Over €170 million available in EU security funding opportunities opening 29 June (31/05/2023)

Calls for proposals for EU funding under Horizon Europe Cluster 3 – Civil Security for Society are opening on 29 June. Over €170 million is available. Find out all information on the topics, timelines, and register on our website for the upcoming Info Days and Brokerage Event (27-28 June) held in Brussels and online.

An additional €50 million made available for EU security research (31/05/2023)

The Work Programme for Civil Security for Society – which outlines budget, topics, and goals for Horizon Europe security research for 2023 and 2024 – was amended by the European Commission in April. This means €50 million more for EU security research, helping strengthen Europe’s resilience and crisis preparedness.

Dos and Don’ts when applying for Horizon Europe funding (31/05/2023)

Applying for Horizon Europe funding can be overwhelming. That is why we have compiled a list of dos and don’ts to follow when drafting and submitting your proposal: DO read the work programmes carefully but DON’T rush, take your time! Read our comprehensive list to help boost your chances of acquiring Horizon Europe funding and transforming your research.

Preliminary results from Civil Security for Society 2022 call for proposals (31/05/2023)

166 evaluators – from 32 different countries and supported by rapporteurs, ethics experts, and observers – have reviewed proposals submitted under a Horizon Europ Civil Security for Society 2022 call. For this call, €122.5 million is available for selected projects.

Projects on the ground in Türkiye and Syria post-earthquake (31/05/2023)

Organisations and partners working on Horizon 2020 EU-funded security projects were active in Türkiye and Syria following the catastrophic earthquake in February. They provided support and equipment and applied their expertise to help save lives. Read about their work in an article, written by the European Research Executive Agency for the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, below.

Harnessing situational awareness in emergency situations (31/05/2023)

Without a clear overview of the scene, first responders can be impaired, and lives are put at risk. By harnessing the power of sensory data, the ASSISTANCE project has developed ways to increase situational awareness at disaster scenes. The technology will enable emergency services to work more effectively, helping to keep Europeans safe. Read the Success Story below.

Shielding Europe’s power systems (31/05/2023)

Critical infrastructures are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Such an attack on Europe’s Electrical Power and Energy System would have devastating consequences. That’s why the PHOENIX project is developing a cyber-shield security platform to both detect and survive cyberattacks.

Info Days (27/06/2023)

The Civil Security for Society Info Days will be held on 27 June online and in Brussels in the Marriott Hotel Grand Place. Attend to find out how to apply for EU security research. Register below!

Brokerage Event (28/06/2023)

The Brokerage Event will be held on 28 June, also online and in the Marriott Hotel Grand Place in Brussels. Attend for the chance to network with other partners looking to apply for EU security research under these calls for proposals.

2023 Security Research Event (24/10/2023)

The Security Research Event (SRE) is where policymakers, first responders, researchers, and industry discuss challenges for civil security, and ways in which research and innovation can contribute towards policy goals. SRE 2023 will feature the Security Innovation Award Ceremony. Regularly check out our events section for updates on this event and other research events!

RESPONDRONE: a life-saving story (18/04/2023)

When managing disaster situations, emergency teams can be overwhelmed by confusion and a lack of communication. To improve this, EU-funded researchers have developed new drone-based technology that provides situational awareness in real-time. Learn more on how first responders can use drone-gathered information.

Knowledge Valorisation Week (25/04/2023)

The EU Guiding Principles for Knowledge Valorisation is the new pan-European initiative to turn research and innovation results into solutions more effectively trough brand-new European Codes of Practice on intellectual assets management and standardisation. Register and join a forum of experience exchanges, novelty discoveries and peer learning, turning research and innovation results into real-life solutions.

Dos and Don’ts when applying for Horizon Europe funding (18/04/2023)

Applying for Horizon Europe funding can be overwhelming. That is why we have compiled a list of dos and don’ts to follow when drafting and submitting your proposal: DO read the work programmes carefully but DON’T rush, take your time! Read our comprehensive list to help boost your chances of acquiring Horizon Europe funding and transforming your research.

Info Days and Funding Opportunities: Cluster 3 webpage is updated! (18/04/2023)

The webpage for Horizon Europe Cluster 3 – Civil Security for Society is now updated. Check it out for news on the Info Days on 27 – 28 June, details on the extra €50 million available for security research, updates on the upcoming calls for proposals for EU funding and the topics to be funded. More updates to be made throughout the year!

2023 Security Research Event (24/10/2023)

The Security Research Event (SRE) where policymakers, first responders, researchers, and industry discuss challenges for civil security, and ways in which research and innovation can contribute towards policy goals. SRE 2023 will feature the Security Innovation Award Ceremony. Regularly check out our events section for updates on this event and other research events!

Gender in EU-funded research (18/04/2023)

The European Research Executive Agency is committed to achieving gender equality and eradicating imbalances in research. That is why gender is at the heart of Horizon Europe; research proposals should take the gender dimension into consideration, strive for gender balance, and have Gender Equality Plans in place.

Curbing crime with smart design (18/04/2023)

The Cutting Crime Impact (CCI) project is focusing on practical ways of preventing crime. These include designing buildings, benches and bags that are harder to target. CCI researchers collaborated with Britain’s Greater Manchester Police to develop an advisory service on crime prevention for architects, urban planners and property developers. Read more in Horizon Magazine article.

EU Open Doors Day 2023 (06/05/2023)

On 6 May, the European Commission opens its doors. This year, researchers from Spain, Belgium and Germany will be in the Green Europe village to showcase their projects, preparing experiments and other interactive activities. Join us and learn more about EU-funded research and innovation and the projects REA manages.

Commissioner Johansson visits Cluster 3 project (18/04/2023)

European Commissioner Ylva Johansson visited the EU-funded BorderSens project in the port of Bruges. The project is researching how to fight drug trafficking, equipping authorities with innovative tools. Discover more about this Horizon 2020 project!

Submit your proposals for EU funding by November 23 (09/11/2022)

A call for applications for funding under Horizon Europe – Civil Security for Society is open until November 23. A specific call for Cybersecurity closes on November 16. Apply for the chance to receive EU funding for your security-related projects!

European Commission signs grant agreements (09/11/2022)

Thirty projects signed grant agreements with the European Commission under Horizon Europe – Civil Security for Society. The projects will research reducing crime, enhancing privacy, and managing responses to natural disaster. They will contribute to and support EU research and innovation policy, priorities, and Missions.

REA projects in support of CyberSecMonth (09/11/2022)

October is the annual EU-backed Cyber Security Month. Plenty of projects managed by the European Research Executive Agency support the aims of this month: promoting citizens’ and business’ safety online. Read about these projects, with a focus on this year’s theme of ransomware and phising.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (09/11/2022)

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is held every year on October 13. Find out about how EU-funded projects managed by the European Research Executive Agency are working on improving risk awareness and planning, building resilience in communities, and exploring how social media can be used as an effective disaster-warning tool.

EU-funded research leads to the first European Data Protection Seal under GDPR (09/11/2022)

Europrivacy was endorsed by the European Data Protection Board as the first Data Protection Seal under GDPR. The Seal will enhance privacy for citizens and facilitate GDPR-compliance for businesses. Europrivacy received EU funding and it is a prime example of how EU research programmes make a positive real-world difference.

Become an Evaluator of EU research projects (09/11/2022)

The European Research Executive Agency is searching for experts to help evaluate proposals submitted for EU funding. All are welcome to apply, including people with backgrounds and expertise in security, terrorism, crime, privacy, extreme weather events, and border management. Apply today!

Project to Policy Seminar held at the end of June (09/11/2022)

The third Project to Policy seminar for security research was held on June 30 and July 1. Policymakers and project organisers shared knowledge on emerging trends in the field of security research. The event was co-organised by the European research Executive Agency and the European Commission’s Directorate-Generals for Home Affairs and Communications Networks. Watch the video below for a summary of the event.

Info Session: Horizon Results Booster (17/11/2022)

Join the Horizon Results Booster information session on November 17. Horizon Results Booster services are free of charge for FP7, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe projects. Learn how to make the most out of your EU funded research!

Over €1 billion requested in Horizon Europe security research funding (25/11/2021)

The submission figures for the secure societies call are now out! The call received 230 proposals for a requested budget of over €1 billion. The total available budget is €216 million. The call was open to proposals on a range of security challenges.

H2020 security research projects supporting adaptation to the climate crisis (25/11/2021)

With the conclusion of COP26, all eyes are on how we can mitigate the effects of the climate crisis - which has already made extreme weather events and natural disasters more frequent. The European Research Executive Agency is managing projects that support citizens, first responders, and decision-makers to help our societies cope with these multiple crises and save lives.

Cybersecurity Month (25/11/2021)

October 2021 was Cybersecurity Month, the EU-wide campaign aimed at raising awareness on how we can be more cyber-secure. At the European Research Executive Agency, we manage numerous projects that support citizens, organisations, and businesses to stay safe, secure and shielded online.

French Presidency and European Commission to host Security Research Event (01/03/2022)

The French Presidency of the European Council, alongside the European Commission, will host a security research event on the 1st and 2nd of March 2022. Relevant projects managed by the European Research Executive Agency will be showcased. More information, the agenda, and contact details are available on their website.