Deadline Date: October 08, 2026
The European Commission (EC) is seeking applications to strengthen its leadership, competitiveness, and socioeconomic resilience in Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) amid evolving geopolitical, technological, and economic challenges.
The focus areas of this opportunity include assessment of Europe’s CCAM position in global competition, identification of strategic vulnerabilities and opportunities, AI-driven analytics and innovation mapping, stakeholder-driven future scenarios, foresight and horizon scanning, technology roadmapping, Living Labs validation, socioeconomic impact assessment, integrated economic-transport modelling, employment and growth analysis, social equity and transport poverty considerations, governance models, policy development, business strategies for SMEs and micro-enterprises, supply chain resilience, reduction of external dependencies, innovation scaling, sustainable growth, regulatory alignment, strategic autonomy, technological sovereignty, investment frameworks, and coordination with the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA).
Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility has become a critical area of international competition and forms one of the central pillars of the European Automotive Action Plan. As the automotive sector transitions toward smarter, AI-powered, cleaner, and more connected vehicles, Europe faces increasing pressure to secure its position in global markets while addressing geopolitical shifts, rapid technological change, and economic uncertainty.
This initiative seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of Europe’s strategic position within the global CCAM landscape. The project will examine vulnerabilities, dependencies, and opportunities related to business models, supply chains, critical raw materials, technological capabilities, digital and physical infrastructure, validation processes, safety benchmarks, and pricing strategies. AI-driven analytics and innovation mapping tools will support this assessment while also examining large-scale CCAM initiatives worldwide to identify commercialization barriers, scaling trajectories, tipping points, and success factors.
The action will further develop stakeholder-driven future scenarios to explore plausible geopolitical, technological, and economic developments that may influence CCAM deployment. Through advanced foresight methods, including qualitative scenarios, horizon scanning, and technology roadmapping, the project will define transition pathways that strengthen Europe’s resilience, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy. Dedicated Living Labs representing diverse European regions and governance contexts will support iterative validation and help identify strategic priorities under varying future conditions.
A significant component of the project involves assessing the socioeconomic impacts of different CCAM deployment pathways. Integrated economic-transport modelling approaches will be used to analyse income growth, employment effects, productivity gains, regional economic convergence, and social equity considerations across Member States and Associated Countries. The analysis will evaluate impacts on different economic sectors and demographic groups while identifying potential disparities and opportunities for inclusive development.
The project will also examine how CCAM deployment can contribute to reducing Europe’s dependence on external supply chains while enhancing industrial competitiveness. Based on the findings, policy recommendations and investment strategies will be developed to ensure that the benefits of CCAM are distributed equitably across regions and communities.
Another important objective is the development of robust governance models, policy recommendations, and business strategies capable of withstanding diverse geopolitical and economic conditions. Through institutional diagnostics and scenario-based stress testing, the project will identify approaches that reinforce Europe’s market leadership and economic resilience. Particular attention will be given to supporting innovation scaling, identifying viable business cases, recommending sector-specific research and development priorities, and strengthening opportunities for SMEs and micro-enterprises.
The initiative will also promote regulatory alignment with global standards, encourage an open and competitive market environment, and strengthen supply chain resilience through reduced reliance on non-European dependencies. The resulting policies and strategies are expected to remain adaptable to future uncertainties while safeguarding Europe’s long-term competitiveness and technological sovereignty.
Close coordination with the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance and its autonomous driving roadmap will ensure synergies with broader European automotive and mobility objectives. The project’s outcomes are expected to provide policymakers, businesses, and investors with evidence-based guidance that supports a resilient, innovative, and globally competitive European CCAM ecosystem.
The total budget allocated to this opportunity is €4,000,000. Participation is open to any legal entity regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided they comply with the conditions established under the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific requirements of the call. Applicants must register in the Participant Register and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC), with validation completed before the grant agreement is signed.
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