Deadline Date: September 23, 2026
The European Commission has launched this Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA) to strengthen electoral integrity in the digital age by supporting interdisciplinary projects that address the risks and opportunities of emerging digital technologies in democratic processes.
The key focus areas, objectives, priorities, and themes of this opportunity include improving the integrity, inclusiveness, accessibility, fairness, transparency, and security of electoral systems across Europe in response to rapid digital transformation. The programme emphasizes supporting EU and national policymakers with evidence-based knowledge to develop robust election regulations, standards, and tools that address digital technologies in political campaigns and elections. It also focuses on ensuring responsible use of AI in electoral processes through transparency, audits of AI systems, disclosure of data sources and algorithms, and accountability in AI-driven political communication. Additional priorities include countering misinformation, disinformation, and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), strengthening cybersecurity and voter verification mechanisms, and enhancing resilience against cyberattacks and external interference. The call further encourages research into the societal impact of AI-generated content on public discourse, gender equality, civic engagement, and democratic trust, as well as the exploration of advanced cryptographic solutions, including post-quantum approaches.
The European Commission invites proposals that adopt an interdisciplinary approach, integrating social sciences and humanities with technological fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and data science. Projects are expected to involve a wide range of stakeholders, including electoral authorities, policymakers, civil society organisations, media institutions, digital platforms, and relevant international bodies. Proposals should also align with ongoing EU regulatory and strategic frameworks, including the AI Act, the Digital Services Act (DSA) election guidelines, the Political Advertising Regulation, and the Commission’s recommendations on inclusive and resilient elections, as well as established codes of conduct on disinformation.
Eligible applicants include any legal entity, regardless of country of establishment, including organisations from non-associated third countries and international organisations, subject to Horizon Europe eligibility rules. Applicants must register in the Participant Register and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) prior to grant agreement preparation, though a validated PIC is not required at submission stage.
The total funding allocation for this call is €12 million under Horizon Europe, with individual project contributions typically ranging from €3.5 million to €4 million.
Overall, the European Commission’s initiative aims to develop resilient, transparent, and secure electoral systems capable of safeguarding democratic integrity in the digital era while addressing the challenges posed by AI-driven manipulation, cyber threats, and foreign interference.
For more information, visit EC.
