Deadline: 05-Nov-2026
The Advanced Border Surveillance and Situational Awareness programme aims to strengthen EU border security by supporting next-generation technologies that improve monitoring, detection, and response at external land and sea borders.
It addresses evolving challenges such as:
- Irregular migration pressures
- Smuggling and trafficking activities
- Use of unmanned vehicles in illicit operations
- Climate, conflict, and economic-driven population movements
Key Objectives
The programme focuses on improving:
- Detection and tracking of unmanned aerial, surface, and underwater systems
- Localization and identification of threats at borders
- Situational awareness during large-scale migration events
- Border response speed and accuracy
- Operational resilience in varied environments
Technology Focus Areas
Funded solutions may include:
- Advanced sensor systems
- Automated detection technologies
- Surveillance and monitoring platforms
- AI-enabled situational awareness tools
- Search, rescue, and recovery support systems
- Border response automation technologies
Performance Expectations
Projects are expected to deliver improvements beyond current capabilities in:
- Detection range and accuracy
- Response time
- Automation and decision-making support
- Operational efficiency
- Environmental and weather resilience
Key Requirements
Solutions must:
- Be compatible with EUROSUR (European Border Surveillance System)
- Support interoperability with CISE (Common Information Sharing Environment)
- Ensure scalability across different border regions
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs
- Maintain high ethical and operational standards
Fundamental Rights and Ethics
The programme places strong emphasis on:
- Protection of fundamental rights
- Ethical deployment of surveillance technologies
- Safety of border personnel and vulnerable individuals
- Inclusive and responsible innovation
All proposed systems must comply with EU legal and ethical standards.
Role of Frontex
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) will:
- Observe pilot implementations
- Support evaluation of new technologies
- Facilitate innovation uptake across EU border operations
- Provide alignment with operational requirements and capability planning
Applicants are encouraged to align proposals with the EBCG Capability Roadmap.
Funding Details
- Total budget: €12 million
- Expected funding per project: ~€6 million
- Programme type: Horizon Europe collaborative research and innovation action
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Universities and research institutions
- Technology companies and SMEs
- Public authorities and border agencies
- International organisations
- Legal entities from EU and non-associated third countries
All applicants must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility rules.
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Develop advanced border surveillance technology concepts
- Ensure compatibility with EUROSUR and CISE systems
- Demonstrate innovation beyond current state-of-the-art
- Include ethical and fundamental rights safeguards
- Register in the Horizon Europe Participant Register
- Obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC)
- Submit a full project proposal
Strong proposals demonstrate:
- High technical innovation
- Operational readiness for real-world border environments
- Strong interoperability with EU systems
- Scalable and cost-efficient solutions
- Clear ethical compliance framework
Tips for Applicants
To improve proposal success:
- Focus on multi-sensor and AI-driven surveillance integration
- Demonstrate real-world pilot readiness
- Address diverse environmental conditions (land, sea, weather)
- Ensure strong interoperability with EU systems
- Include energy-efficient design considerations
- Align with Frontex operational needs
Avoid proposals that lack operational realism or do not integrate with EU border systems.
FAQ
What is the focus of the programme?
The programme focuses on improving border surveillance and situational awareness using advanced technologies.
How much funding is available?
A total of €12 million is available, with about €6 million per project.
What technologies are supported?
AI surveillance systems, sensor technologies, unmanned system detection, and situational awareness platforms are supported.
Who can apply?
Any eligible legal entity, including international organisations and non-EU partners, may apply under Horizon Europe rules.
What EU systems must be considered?
Solutions must be compatible with EUROSUR and should support interoperability with CISE.
Is ethical compliance required?
Yes. All projects must respect fundamental rights and ensure ethical deployment.
Conclusion
The Horizon Europe Advanced Border Surveillance and Situational Awareness programme supports cutting-edge innovation to enhance EU border security and operational resilience. By funding advanced detection, monitoring, and response technologies, the initiative aims to improve safety, efficiency, and situational awareness across Europe’s external borders while ensuring ethical and rights-based implementation.
For more information, visit European Commission.