Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society

Funding for collaborative research and innovation that protects people, infrastructure and society from security threats, crime and disasters.

At a glance

Calls:: The 2026 calls open on 6 May 2026 and close on 5 November 2026. The 2027 calls open on 5 May 2027 and close on 4 November 2027. Cybersecurity call topics have different deadlines: the 2026 calls open on 3 March 2026 and close on 15 September 2026; the 2027 calls open on 2 March 2027 and close on 15 September 2027.
Opportunity type:: Collaboration and funding
Award:: Funding of between €1 million and €8 million per project is available, depending on the call topic. Research and Innovation Actions can fund up to 100% of eligible costs. Innovation Actions can fund up to 70% of eligible costs. Non-profit organisations may receive funding of up to 100% of eligible costs.
Sectors:: Fighting crime and terrorism, border management, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, resilient infrastructure, security research and innovation.

Overview

Civil Security for Society is one of the 6 clusters within Horizon Europe’s Pillar 2: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness.

It supports research and innovation that helps prevent and respond to crime, terrorism, cybercrime, border threats and natural or human-made disasters.

Projects often bring together researchers, businesses, technology providers, emergency services, law enforcement agencies, public authorities and civil society organisations.

What Cluster 3 funds

Cluster 3 funding is grouped into 6 main areas.

Better protect the EU and its citizens against crime and terrorism

Developing new approaches and technologies to prevent, investigate and respond to crime, terrorism and other security threats.

This includes research on organised crime, trafficking, counter-terrorism, radicalisation, cybercrime investigation and forensic science. Projects may focus on intelligence sharing, financial crime, border exploitation or the development of investigation tools that comply with fundamental rights.

Ethics and public trust are integral considerations across this area.

Work in this area supports the implementation of the EU Security Union Strategy, the EU Counter-Terrorism Agenda, the security dimension of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum and the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime.

Effective management of EU external borders

Improving the security and management of external borders while protecting fundamental rights.

This covers detection and surveillance technologies, document fraud prevention, information systems, cross-border cooperation and the management of migration flows.

Projects may develop tools for border checks and customs, improve detection of irregular crossings or smuggling, or support better coordination between border authorities across EU and associated countries.

Work in this area supports the Multiannual Strategic Policy for European Integrated Border Management and the Capability Roadmap of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).

Resilient infrastructure

Protecting critical infrastructure and essential services from natural, human-made and hybrid threats.

This includes research on the security of energy, water, transport and digital infrastructure.

Projects may address physical and cyber interdependencies, supply-chain vulnerabilities, the effects of extreme weather and climate change on infrastructure resilience, or the development of protective systems and emergency-response approaches.

Work in this area supports the implementation of the directives on the resilience of critical entities and network and information security. It also contributes to the objectives of ProtectEU, the EU Counter-Terrorism Agenda and the European Preparedness Union Strategy.

Increased cybersecurity

Cybersecurity actions are indirectly managed by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC).

Addressing emerging cybersecurity threats, supporting regulatory compliance, and ensuring Europe’s technological sovereignty and resilience.

This covers threat intelligence, secure-by-design systems, incident response, cryptography, 5G and network security and EU cybersecurity certification frameworks. Projects may develop new tools and methodologies to detect, prevent and recover from cyberattacks, or support the development of a skilled cybersecurity workforce.

Work in this area supports the EU Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade and supports the Cyber Resilience Act, NIS2 Directive, Cyber Solidarity Act, AI Act, and the EU Quantum Strategy. It also links to the work of ENISA, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity on their website.

A Disaster-resilient society for Europe

Improving preparedness, crisis management, disaster response and recovery.

This includes early warning systems, multi-hazard risk assessment, climate-related disaster preparedness, mass casualty management and post-disaster recovery. Projects may address community resilience, public communication and crisis coordination, or develop technologies that support civil protection responders — such as search and rescue teams, fire services and emergency services — during major incidents.

Work in this area will support EC priorities (2024–2029): Preparedness Union, Safer Europe, Resilient Economy and align with: EU Disaster Resilience Goals, Sendai Framework, Sustainable Development Goals and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Strengthened Security research and innovation

Supporting the development and uptake of new security technologies, including procurement-led innovation.

This includes pre-commercial procurement, public procurement of innovative security solutions and technology transfer from research to operational use. Projects may support the security innovation ecosystem — including SMEs — by helping new technologies reach market readiness, or by testing and validating solutions in real-world operational environments.

Work in this area contributes to a competitive and capable European security industry and helps bridge the gap between research and deployment.

Who this is for

Cluster 3 funding is mainly for organisations working together in international consortia.

It may be relevant for:

universities and research organisations
businesses, start-ups and SMEs
security and technology companies
digital, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence organisations
police and other law enforcement authorities
border guards and coastguards
fire, rescue and emergency services
civil protection and disaster-response organisations
critical infrastructure operators
local and national public authorities
charities and civil society organisations
organisations working on fundamental rights, ethics or public engagement

The partners and expertise needed will depend on the individual call topic. Some calls require the active involvement of security practitioners/end users, SSH disciplines or civil society organisations.

Most calls are not intended for individuals applying alone.

Eligibility

Most Cluster 3 calls require an international consortium.

Unless the call topic states otherwise, the consortium usually needs at least 3 independent legal entities:

at least one established in an EU Member State
at least 2 others established in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries.

The UK is associated to Horizon Europe, so UK organisations can take part and receive funding as members of an eligible consortium and as project coordinators.

Check your eligibility for Horizon Europe funding

It is important to note that the eligibility requirements for individual call topics can vary so it is important to always read the conditions carefully making sure you fulfil the exact ask. For example, some calls require the active involvement of at least 2 or more end users while others stipulate the integration of social sciences and humanities disciplines or the involvement of third countries.

Relevant EU policies and strategies

Cluster 3 projects should align with relevant EU security policies, strategies and agency priorities.

Demonstrating this alignment will strengthen the credibility and impact of your proposal. It is therefore advisable to always review the relevant policy framework for your chosen call topic and destination, maintain a reference library, and clearly show how your project will contribute to wider EU policy objectives.

Useful references on the below external websites may include:

Next steps and support

Read the Cluster 3 Work Programme 2026–2027 (PDF) and identify a call topic that is a good fit for your skills and expertise. Check the eligibility rules and conditions, available budget and application deadline.
Build or join an eligible international consortium. Identify partners that can collectively meet the expected outcomes of the call topic and agree partner roles, activities, responsibilities and costs.
Read the Horizon Europe Civil Security for Society guidance for more information on how to plan and prepare your proposal.
Contact the Civil Security for Society NCP for further guidance and support with your application.

Find current Cluster 3 calls

Open and upcoming Civil Security for Society calls, official call documents and submission deadlines are listed on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Find and apply for Cluster 3 calls on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal

To apply for funding through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, you need an EU Login account. If you do not already have one, register for an EU Login account on the EU Funding and Tenders portal.

Your organisation also needs a Participant Identification Code (PIC) to be included as a participant in a funding application and to manage the grant if the application is successful. If your organisation does not yet have one, find out how to register your organisation and get a PIC on the EU Funding and Tenders portal.

Last updated: 29 October 2026