Projects? results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following outcomes:

• Improved hardware and software security engineering; resilient systems design;
• Improved access to testing of hardware and software in virtual, closed and secure environments;
• Systematic and, where possible, automated study of vulnerabilities, software analysis, vulnerability discovery, and dynamic security assessment;
• Trustworthy certifiable hardware and software;
• AI-based security services e.g. predictive security, advanced anomaly and intrusion detection, system health checks.

Software is at the foundation of all digital technologies and, as such, at the core of IT infrastructures, services, and products. Current software development prioritises fast deployment over security, which results in vulnerabilities and unsecure applications. Security engineering, both at the software and hardware levels, must be integrated in their development. Whilst a great portion of the software and hardware used in the EU is developed outside the European Union, it should comply with the security requirements within the EU. The EU should be able to rely on software and hardware that can be verified and audited as to their security. In particular, the potential security implications of using open-source software and hardware, and security auditability in that context, should be further explored. Software is subject to continuous update, so the security posture cannot be assessed once and for all, hence methods and tooling to perform continuous assessments of security are needed. In addition, security and privacy regulations also evolve, having to be factored in compliance approaches.

The identification and analysis of potential regulatory aspects and barriers for the developed technologies/solutions is encouraged, where relevant.

Please read carefully all provisions below before the preparation of your application.

Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.

Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.

Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.

Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.

National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).

Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding.

IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.

European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues.

CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.  

The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.

Partner Search Services help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.