Deadline Date: November 5, 2026
The European Commission is seeking applications to support the development of advanced tools, equipment, autonomous systems, and innovative technologies aimed at strengthening disaster response and search-and-rescue operations in hazardous and complex emergency environments across Europe.
The initiative focuses on the creation of cutting-edge tools, processes, equipment, and technologies to improve disaster and emergency response capabilities for emergency practitioners and operational assets such as vehicles, aircraft, and heavy equipment. It prioritises the development of autonomous drones, robotics, emergency medical response technologies, and advanced systems designed for hazardous conditions including wildfires, earthquakes, and large-scale emergencies.
The programme also aims to improve response efficiency and responder safety through technology-driven solutions while considering the needs of EU-level emergency capacities, strategic reserves, stockpiling, and deployment systems. Key priorities include robotics, autonomous systems, remote sensing, communication technologies, smart protective equipment, AI-driven decision-making, real-time situational awareness, interoperability, data sharing, command-and-control systems, inclusivity, accessibility, cybersecurity, ethical deployment of autonomous technologies, and alignment with EU disaster preparedness strategies.
The programme supports research and innovation actions that can strengthen Europe’s disaster response capacity through advanced technological solutions capable of operating in extreme and life-threatening environments. Proposed projects are expected to design, test, and validate innovative systems that can perform critical tasks in disaster-stricken areas where high temperatures, unstable terrain, smoke, debris, or low visibility create operational challenges for emergency responders.
The scope of the initiative includes the development of autonomous drones, robotic platforms, and remote sensing technologies that can assist in emergency medical response and search-and-rescue missions. Projects are encouraged to explore advanced navigation systems, AI-supported operational decision-making, and communication technologies that can integrate seamlessly with existing crisis management and command-and-control systems used by emergency services and disaster management authorities.
The programme also highlights the importance of interoperability and real-time data-sharing between emergency response teams, operational platforms, and crisis coordination systems. Practical validation through field exercises, pilot demonstrations, and simulations in real-world disaster conditions is strongly encouraged to ensure that developed technologies meet operational requirements and can be effectively deployed during emergencies.
Another important component of the initiative is the development of comprehensive command-and-control solutions that support coordinated disaster response activities. These systems should enable rapid organisation of rescue operations while improving communication, situational awareness, and operational efficiency among different stakeholders involved in disaster response activities.
Projects are also expected to conduct stakeholder and market analyses and prepare clear roadmaps for the uptake of developed technologies, methodologies, and findings by industry, research communities, emergency authorities, and operational agencies. The initiative encourages alignment with existing European Civil Protection Pool capacities, rescEU strategic reserves, and the EU Stockpiling Strategy to ensure that proposed innovations address practical operational needs and capacity gaps across Europe.
The programme further emphasises the importance of addressing ethical, legal, and social implications related to the deployment of autonomous technologies in emergency response operations. Proposals should consider issues related to cybersecurity, data privacy, public acceptance, regulatory compliance, and the protection of human and animal life to support responsible and effective deployment of these technologies. Funding is available under HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-DRS-03 – HORIZON Innovation Actions with a total budget of €8,000,000, with approximately €4,000,000 expected per project.
The opportunity is open to any legal entity regardless of place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided that Horizon Europe participation conditions and specific topic requirements are met. Affiliated entities and associated partners may also participate under the applicable programme conditions.
For more information, visit European Commission.
