Deadline: 08-Oct-2026
The European Commission is inviting proposals for a research and innovation programme focused on improving road safety and climate resilience across rural road networks in the European Union. The initiative supports advanced road safety assessment methodologies, innovative enforcement and prevention strategies, inclusive mobility solutions, and GIS-based tools that help authorities respond to climate-related risks such as floods, storms, fires, and heavy snowfall.
With a total budget of €12 million and expected funding of approximately €6 million per project, the programme contributes to the EU’s Vision Zero objective of eliminating road fatalities and serious injuries while strengthening the resilience of rural transport infrastructure.
What is the Road Safety and Resilience of Rural Areas Programme?
The Road Safety and Resilience of Rural Areas Research and Innovation Programme is a European Commission initiative designed to improve safety outcomes on rural roads while enhancing their ability to withstand climate-related disruptions.
The programme recognizes that a significant proportion of road fatalities occur on rural roads, where safety risks are often underestimated and infrastructure conditions vary widely. Through research, innovation, and digital technologies, the initiative aims to provide authorities with better tools, data, and strategies to reduce accidents and improve resilience.
Funding Details
- Funding Authority: European Commission
- Programme Type: Research and Innovation Action
- Total Budget Available: €12,000,000
- Expected Funding Per Project: Approximately €6,000,000
- Geographic Scope: European Union and eligible Horizon Europe participants
- Primary Objective: Improve rural road safety and climate resilience
Key Focus Areas
The programme supports projects addressing:
- Rural road safety assessment
- Network-Wide Road Safety Assessment (NWRSA)
- Road crash prevention
- Climate resilience of transport infrastructure
- Digital road safety tools
- GIS-based risk assessment systems
- Behavioural safety interventions
- Road safety enforcement strategies
- Risk awareness campaigns
- Inclusive mobility solutions
- Extreme weather preparedness
- Road infrastructure resilience
- Data-driven decision-making
Programme Objectives
Projects should contribute to the following goals:
- Reduce road fatalities and serious injuries in rural areas
- Expand road safety assessments across rural road networks
- Improve understanding of crash causes and risk factors
- Strengthen enforcement and prevention measures
- Increase road user awareness and responsible behaviour
- Support safer mobility for ageing populations and people with disabilities
- Enhance resilience to climate-related hazards
- Improve preparedness for extreme weather events
- Support implementation of the EU Vision Zero strategy
Network-Wide Road Safety Assessment (NWRSA)
A major focus of the programme is the implementation and expansion of the Network-Wide Road Safety Assessment methodology.
Projects are expected to:
- Apply NWRSA on secondary rural roads
- Expand assessments to all categories of rural roads
- Develop low-cost and transparent assessment approaches
- Improve identification of hidden safety risks
- Support proactive road safety management
Unlike traditional hotspot analysis, NWRSA evaluates entire road networks to identify risks before serious crashes occur.
Improving Crash Causation Analysis
Projects should address gaps in current road safety data and improve understanding of crash causes.
Activities may include:
- Identifying missing safety data
- Developing new risk assessment methodologies
- Improving crash investigation techniques
- Enhancing data collection systems
- Using digital technologies to support analysis
Better understanding of crash causes can help authorities implement more effective prevention measures.
Innovative Enforcement and Prevention Strategies
The programme supports the development of modern enforcement approaches that combine traditional methods with emerging technologies.
Potential activities include:
- Smart enforcement systems
- AI-supported monitoring tools
- Behavioural nudging interventions
- Incentive-based compliance programmes
- Awareness campaigns
- Risk communication strategies
Projects should focus on reducing dangerous behaviours that contribute to crashes and serious injuries.
Addressing Emerging Road Safety Risks
The initiative encourages research into evolving road safety challenges, including:
- Repeat traffic offenders
- Drug-impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigue-related incidents
- Speeding behaviour
- Risk-taking among vulnerable road users
Understanding these risks can support more targeted prevention and enforcement measures.
Inclusive Mobility and Vulnerable Road Users
The programme promotes safe and accessible mobility for all road users.
Special consideration should be given to:
- Older drivers
- People with disabilities
- Individuals with health-related limitations
- Rural residents with limited transport alternatives
Projects should develop solutions that maintain independence and mobility while reducing safety risks.
Climate Resilience and Extreme Weather Preparedness
Climate resilience is a key component of the programme.
Projects should develop tools and methodologies that help authorities prepare for and respond to:
- Floods
- Wildfires
- Storms
- Heavy snowfall
- Extreme temperatures
- Other climate-related disruptions
The objective is to ensure that rural road networks remain safe and operational during extreme events.
GIS-Based Risk Assessment Tools
Applicants are expected to develop advanced GIS-based applications capable of:
- Mapping climate-related hazards
- Assessing infrastructure vulnerability
- Identifying high-risk locations
- Supporting emergency response planning
- Monitoring road network resilience
These tools will help local and regional authorities make informed infrastructure and safety decisions.
Expected Project Activities
Projects may include:
- Rural road safety assessments
- Development of GIS platforms
- Climate risk mapping
- Behavioural research
- Road user awareness campaigns
- Enforcement strategy development
- Data collection and analytics
- Pilot demonstrations
- Stakeholder engagement activities
- Policy and implementation guideline development
Expected Outcomes
Road Safety Outcomes
Projects should contribute to:
- Reduced fatalities on rural roads
- Fewer serious injuries
- Improved safety management
- Better risk identification
- More effective enforcement strategies
Climate Resilience Outcomes
Expected benefits include:
- Improved disaster preparedness
- Enhanced infrastructure resilience
- Better emergency response planning
- Reduced climate-related disruptions
- Increased operational continuity
Social Outcomes
Projects should support:
- Safer mobility for vulnerable populations
- Improved accessibility
- Greater public awareness of road safety
- More inclusive transport systems
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants may include:
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Public authorities
- Regional governments
- Transport agencies
- Road infrastructure operators
- Technology companies
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
- Non-profit organizations
- International research consortia
Applicants must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility requirements and programme-specific conditions.
Why This Programme Matters
Rural roads account for a disproportionately high number of road fatalities across Europe. At the same time, climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of weather-related disruptions that affect transport infrastructure.
This programme addresses both challenges by combining road safety innovation with climate resilience planning. The resulting solutions will help create safer, more reliable, and more sustainable rural transport networks while supporting Europe’s long-term Vision Zero goals.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements
- Verify compliance with Horizon Europe participation rules.
- Confirm organizational eligibility.
Step 2: Build a Strong Consortium
- Engage experts in road safety, transport, climate resilience, GIS technologies, behavioural science, and policy development.
- Define partner roles and responsibilities.
Step 3: Develop the Project Concept
Prepare a proposal that clearly outlines:
- Safety challenges being addressed
- Proposed methodologies
- Innovation components
- Expected impacts
- Climate resilience measures
Step 4: Design Demonstration Activities
- Plan pilot studies and field testing.
- Develop validation methodologies.
- Engage relevant stakeholders.
Step 5: Submit the Proposal
Complete and submit the application through the Horizon Europe funding portal before the deadline.
Common Proposal Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak evidence of innovation
- Limited stakeholder engagement
- Poor integration of climate resilience measures
- Inadequate road safety assessment methodologies
- Lack of scalability planning
- Insufficient behavioural analysis
- Weak implementation strategy
- Unclear impact measurement framework
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is funding this programme?
The programme is funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe.
What is the total funding available?
The total budget allocated is €12 million.
How much funding can a project receive?
Projects are expected to receive approximately €6 million each.
What is NWRSA?
Network-Wide Road Safety Assessment (NWRSA) is a proactive methodology used to assess safety risks across entire road networks rather than focusing only on accident hotspots.
Does the programme include climate resilience activities?
Yes. Climate resilience and preparedness for extreme weather events are key components of the programme.
What technologies are encouraged?
Projects are encouraged to use GIS applications, digital assessment tools, data analytics, behavioural monitoring systems, and innovative enforcement technologies.
Who are the main beneficiaries of the programme?
Beneficiaries include road users, local authorities, regional governments, transport agencies, infrastructure operators, and vulnerable populations in rural areas.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s Road Safety and Resilience of Rural Areas Research and Innovation Programme represents a significant investment in safer and more resilient rural transport networks. By combining advanced road safety assessments, behavioural interventions, innovative enforcement strategies, inclusive mobility solutions, and climate resilience tools, the initiative supports Europe’s Vision Zero ambition while helping rural communities adapt to evolving transportation and environmental challenges.
For more information, visit EC.
