Deadline Date: November 5, 2026
The European Commission is requesting applications to support demand-driven innovation in civil security through public procurement of R&D services and the development of innovative technology solutions for EU civil security practitioners.
The focus areas include civil security innovation, pre-commercial procurement (PCP), public procurement of R&D services, SME and startup participation, civil security technology development, market access for innovative solutions, prototyping and validation, policy alignment, and cross-border procurement cooperation. The total funding available for this topic is €5,830,000.
The initiative aims to build a community of EU civil security practitioners with shared operational needs for innovative technologies, supported by an industrial base including SMEs and startups. It seeks to facilitate market access and scaling opportunities for innovative suppliers through public procurement mechanisms and early validation by first customers.
The programme promotes collaboration between procurers and suppliers to develop and validate prototypes that meet diverse operational needs, ensuring inclusivity across gender, age, and ability considerations. It also aims to strengthen the EU market for civil security technologies by improving the understanding of demand and supply conditions and identifying viable pathways for commercialisation and deployment.
The scope of the topic focuses on the use of pre-commercial procurement to acquire research and development services for innovative civil security solutions. Proposals must demonstrate strong market analysis, identification of user needs, and alignment with existing technological capabilities. They should include technical alternatives and ensure sustainability beyond the project duration.
Proposals are expected to build on previous EU-funded coordination and support actions, ensuring that procurement activities are well justified, de-risked, and supported by a committed group of public procurers. These procurers should demonstrate shared needs and willingness to jointly adopt successful solutions, including follow-up procurement, adoption of open-source outcomes, or deployment incentives for end-users.
The project implementation should include preparation of tender documentation, definition of validation procedures, and execution of a multi-phase competitive development process. This includes design, integration, verification, and real-world validation phases, ensuring that at least two prototypes from different providers are developed and tested in operational environments.
The programme also requires the development of strategies for post-procurement uptake, including technical specifications, standardisation needs, and potential cross-border procurement models. Collaboration with policymakers is encouraged to strengthen national frameworks and expand funding for innovation procurement.
Any legal entity may participate, including those from non-associated third countries or international organisations, provided Horizon Europe eligibility conditions are met.
For more information, visit European Commission.
