ExpectedOutcome :
Projects are expected to contribute to some or all of the following expected outcomes:
Research will further develop capabilities for portable and quicker testing, analysis and detection of threats at customs checks sites. Example of target substances include drugs, with a focus on new psychoactive substances, but also gems or precious metals and other threats or illicit goods.
These capabilities would allow customs to deploy detection capacity where and when more appropriate and efficient and to carry out inspections “on the move” and more quickly. This would allow detection of threats in the flow of goods directly at the customs inspection site, without having to divert the scanned object(s) to a different site, like a more distant dedicated detection laboratory. This would provide better response capability for customs in an ever-changing operational environment. It would allow for a faster detection and verification capability in the field.
The improved capability includes being able to update more easily and quickly the references for the target goods and substances, and to be able to detect them. This includes updated spectra of drugs such as new psychoactive substances, which would allow detecting them. There is room for innovation to improve customs’ access to updated spectra of substances when they appear; to make spectra easily available to customs’ devices; and to improve data for spectra libraries.
This technology will also allow for an automatic collection of relevant data on the conditions and outcomes of the controls, as to allow measuring the efficiency of the measures and feeding the analysis for risk management and security at the borders.
The involvement of police authorities is encouraged, as well as synergies with relevant topics of the Fight against Crime and Terrorism Destination, to ensure operational scenarios are best identified for detection capabilities by customs. Research projects should consider, build on if appropriate and not duplicate previous research, including but is not limited to research by other Framework Programmes projects.
Testing and validation, within the project, of developed tools and solutions in an operational environment, will be an asset. Proposals should be convincing in explaining the methods they intend to use for demonstrating, testing and validating the proposed tools and solutions. Proposals should also delineate the plans to develop possible future uptake and upscaling at national and EU level for possible next steps after the research project.
In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.
Specific Topic Conditions :
Activities are expected to achieve TRL 7-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.
Cross-cutting Priorities :
Digital Agenda Artificial Intelligence
General conditions
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide .
3 . Other eligibility conditions: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
The following additional eligibility conditions apply:
This topic requires the active involvement , as beneficiaries, of at least 3 Customs Authorities from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated countries. For these participants, applicants must fill in the table “Eligibility information about practitioners” in the application form with all the requested information, following the template provided in the submission IT tool.
Some activities, resulting from this topic, may involve using classified background and/or producing of security sensitive results (EUCI and SEN). Please refer to the related provisions in section B Security — EU classified and sensitive information of the General Annexes.
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes
Evaluation and award:
Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes
Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes
Specific conditions
Documents
Call documents:
Standard application form — call-specific application form is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard application form (HE CSA)
Standard application form (HE PCP)
Standard evaluation form — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)
Standard evaluation form (HE PCP PPI)
MGA
Call-specific instructions
Template for Security & eligibility conditions in Horizon Europe
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2021–2022 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2021–2022 – 6. Civil Security for Society
HE Main Work Programme 2021–2022 – 13. General Annexes
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual