CLUSTER 3 - CIVIL SECURITY FOR SOCIETY: HOW TO PARTICIPATE.
Cluster 3 will support the implementation of EU policy priorities relating to security, including cybersecurity, disaster risk reduction and resilience. In addition, it will build on lessons learnt from COVID-19 crisis in terms of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and capacity building for crises (including health crises) and in improving cross-sectoral aspects of such crises.
Projects will develop new knowledge, technologies and/or other solutions to the identified requirements. Projects will involve practitioner end-users (usually relevant national authorities) alongside researchers and industry. Such involvement has shown its worth in ensuring that the results of R&I are targeted to practitioner needs. Relevant requirements are specified for the different topics.
Projects need to show their contribution to a wider needs-driven capability development cycle that triggers research, steers its implementation and capitalises on its outcomes. This means that projects need to show, on the one hand, an understanding of the capability requirement that has led to the R&I need, and, on the other hand, a strategy for ensuring the uptake of the outcomes including opportunities for using relevant EU funds for funding deployment.
THE SIX DESTINATIONS UNDER CLUSTER 3 WORK PROGRAMME 2021-2022
- Destination 1: Better protect the EU and its citizens against Crime and Terrorism
- Destination 2: Effective management of EU external borders
- Destination 3: Resilient infrastructure
- Destination 4: Increased Cybersecurity
- Destination 5: A Disaster-Resilient Society for Europe
- Destination 6: SSRI (Strengthened Security Research and Innovation)
TYPES OF ACTION UNDER CLUSTER 3
Horizon Europe calls can have different types of action (funding schemes).
The type of action specifies: the scope of what is funded, the reimbursement rate, specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding, among others.
Research & Innovation actions
EU funding rate – 100%
Activities aiming to establish new knowledge and/or to explore the feasibility of a new or improved technology, product, process, service or solution. For this purpose they may include basic and applied research, technology development and integration, testing and validation on a small-scale prototype in a laboratory or simulated environment. Projects may contain closely connected but limited demonstration or pilot activities aiming to show technical feasibility in a near to operational environment.
Innovation actions
EU funding rate – 70% (except non-profit, which are still funded 100%)
Activities directly aiming at producing plans and arrangements or designs for new, altered or improved products, processes or services. For this purpose they may include prototyping, testing, demonstrating, piloting, large-scale product validation and market replication.
Coordination & support actions
Accompanying measures such as standardisation, dissemination, awareness-raising and communication, networking, coordination or support services, policy dialogues and mutual learning exercises and studies.
HOW TO APPLY
Work programmes announce the specific research and innovation areas that will be funded. The forthcoming Calls for Proposals will be accessible through the one-stop-shop Funding and Tenders Portal.
When published, each Call gives more precise information on the research and innovation issues that applicants for funding should address in their proposals.
The first Horizon Europe Calls for Proposals are expected to be published in April/May 2021 – delay in the process relates to budget approvals in light of the changes triggered by COVID-19 pandemic.
