Deadline: 08-Oct-2026
The Call for Flagship Pilot: Large-Scale Demonstrations of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) is a Horizon Europe initiative with a total budget of €100 million. The program supports large-scale demonstrations of automated mobility technologies across Europe to accelerate market deployment, validate advanced CCAM solutions, improve interoperability, and generate evidence for future regulatory and commercial adoption.
Projects will conduct real-world demonstrations involving automated passenger and freight transport, shared mobility services, public transportation, and intelligent logistics systems while advancing SAE Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 automated driving capabilities.
Funding Overview
- Program: Call for Flagship Pilot – Large-Scale Demonstrations of CCAM
- Funding Organization: European Commission
- Framework: Horizon Europe
- Total Budget Available: €100,000,000
- Project Type: Research and Innovation Action
- Geographic Scope: Europe and Associated Countries
- Demonstration Requirement: Large-scale real-world deployment
- Eligible Applicants: Any legal entity meeting Horizon Europe requirements
What is the CCAM Flagship Pilot Initiative?
The initiative represents a major step toward the widespread deployment of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) solutions.
It builds on research, innovation, and technology development activities undertaken through the CCAM Partnership since its launch in 2021. The goal is to move promising automated mobility technologies from testing environments into large-scale real-world demonstrations that provide evidence for commercial deployment and policy development.
Projects are expected to showcase how automated mobility solutions can improve transportation efficiency, safety, accessibility, sustainability, and user experience.
Key Focus Areas
The initiative supports activities related to:
- Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM)
- Autonomous vehicles
- Cooperative transport systems
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication
- Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication
- Smart mobility solutions
- Automated public transport
- Shared mobility services
- Freight transport automation
- Logistics innovation
- Field Operational Tests (FOTs)
- Living Labs
- Technology Pilots
- Intelligent transport systems
- Mobility interoperability
- Regulatory readiness
- User-centered mobility design
- Sustainable transportation
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Accelerate deployment of CCAM technologies
- Support market uptake of automated mobility services
- Validate advanced mobility technologies
- Extend Operational Design Domains (ODDs)
- Improve perception systems in challenging conditions
- Enhance interoperability across transport ecosystems
- Identify regulatory and societal barriers
- Develop sustainable business models
- Improve public acceptance of automated mobility
- Strengthen Europe’s leadership in smart mobility innovation
Why This Initiative Matters
Automated mobility technologies have advanced significantly in recent years, but large-scale deployment still faces technological, operational, regulatory, and societal challenges.
This flagship pilot seeks to bridge the gap between research and market implementation by testing advanced solutions in realistic operational environments. The initiative will generate evidence on safety, reliability, user acceptance, and business viability while helping policymakers create supportive regulatory frameworks.
The results are expected to accelerate the adoption of automated mobility solutions across Europe.
Understanding Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM)
CCAM refers to transportation systems where vehicles, infrastructure, digital services, and users interact through connected and automated technologies.
Key CCAM components include:
- Autonomous driving systems
- Connected vehicles
- Smart infrastructure
- Real-time communication systems
- Digital mobility platforms
- Intelligent traffic management
- Automated logistics solutions
- Cooperative transport services
The initiative supports integrated solutions that combine these technologies into operational mobility ecosystems.
Demonstration Requirements
Projects must conduct large-scale demonstrations using:
Field Operational Tests (FOTs)
Real-world testing under normal operating conditions to evaluate technology performance, safety, and user acceptance.
Technology Pilots
Deployment of advanced mobility technologies in practical environments to assess readiness for commercialization.
Living Labs
Collaborative testing environments involving users, operators, policymakers, researchers, and technology providers.
Duration Requirement
Demonstrations must:
- Operate for at least 12 months
- Involve multiple sites
- Include multiple transport corridors
- Generate meaningful operational data
Technology Validation Priorities
Projects should validate technologies that:
- Extend Operational Design Domains (ODDs)
- Improve automated perception systems
- Enhance decision-making capabilities
- Operate effectively in adverse weather
- Function under poor lighting conditions
- Improve cybersecurity and system resilience
- Support safe mixed-traffic operations
The focus is on demonstrating readiness for real-world deployment.
Operational Design Domain (ODD) Expansion
A major objective is expanding the conditions under which automated vehicles can operate safely.
Examples include:
- Urban environments
- Suburban roads
- Rural areas
- Motorways
- Complex intersections
- Congested traffic conditions
- Adverse weather environments
- Night-time operations
Projects should demonstrate how technology can safely function across broader operational scenarios.
Demonstration Domains
Projects are expected to address at least one of three major mobility domains.
Individual Mobility
Examples include:
- Private automated vehicles
- Automated taxis
- Personal mobility services
- Urban and rural mobility solutions
Shared Mobility and Public Transport
Examples include:
- Autonomous shuttles
- Demand-responsive transport
- Automated public transit systems
- Integrated mobility services
Freight Transport and Logistics
Examples include:
- Automated freight vehicles
- Smart logistics hubs
- Port and terminal operations
- Corridor-based freight transport
- Supply chain automation
Interoperability and Data Sharing
Projects should demonstrate:
- Cross-border interoperability
- Multi-brand vehicle cooperation
- Standardized communication systems
- Data-sharing mechanisms
- Infrastructure integration
- Cross-regional deployment capability
Strong interoperability is essential for large-scale deployment throughout Europe.
User-Centered and Inclusive Mobility
Projects should adopt co-creation approaches involving:
- Passengers
- Drivers
- Mobility operators
- Public authorities
- Infrastructure managers
- Communities
- User organizations
Solutions should address diverse user needs and ensure accessibility for different demographic groups.
Social Sciences and Humanities Integration
The initiative encourages the inclusion of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) expertise to better understand:
- User acceptance
- Public trust
- Behavioral impacts
- Ethical considerations
- Social inclusion
- Equity implications
SSH insights can help improve adoption and long-term success.
Environmental Sustainability Requirements
Projects are encouraged to prioritize:
- Electric vehicles
- Low-emission mobility solutions
- Sustainable transport systems
- Energy-efficient operations
- Reduced environmental impacts
Environmental sustainability should be integrated into both demonstrations and final showcase activities.
Public Awareness and Education Activities
Projects are expected to support:
- Public engagement campaigns
- Awareness initiatives
- Educational programmes
- Professional training activities
- Demonstration events
- Stakeholder workshops
These activities help increase understanding and acceptance of CCAM technologies.
Expected Outcomes
The initiative seeks to achieve:
- Large-scale validation of CCAM technologies
- Improved deployment readiness
- Enhanced public trust
- Stronger regulatory frameworks
- Greater interoperability
- Expanded operational capabilities
- Sustainable mobility adoption
- Reduced transport emissions
- Safer transport systems
- Accelerated market uptake
Collaboration Requirements
Projects should collaborate with:
- CCAM Partnership initiatives
- European Software-defined Vehicle Initiative
- Mobility operators
- Infrastructure managers
- Municipal authorities
- Technology developers
- Transport agencies
- Research institutions
- User groups
Broad stakeholder engagement is considered essential.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Universities and research organizations
- Technology companies
- Automotive manufacturers
- Transport operators
- Public authorities
- Municipalities
- Infrastructure providers
- SMEs and startups
- International organizations
- Non-associated third-country entities
Any legal entity may participate if Horizon Europe eligibility requirements are satisfied.
How to Apply
Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Confirm compliance with Horizon Europe participation rules.
Step 2: Register in the Participant Register
All applicants must register through the Horizon Europe Participant Register.
Step 3: Obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC)
A valid PIC is required for proposal submission and grant preparation.
Step 4: Build a Strong Consortium
Projects should include relevant stakeholders from across the mobility ecosystem.
Step 5: Develop a Demonstration Strategy
Prepare a proposal covering:
- Demonstration sites
- Use cases
- Technology validation plans
- Stakeholder engagement
- Impact assessment
- Business models
- Regulatory considerations
Step 6: Complete Validation Procedures
Successful applicants must complete all legal and financial validation requirements before grant agreement signature.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Limited demonstration scale
- Weak stakeholder engagement
- Insufficient user involvement
- Poor interoperability planning
- Lack of business model development
- Weak regulatory assessment
- Inadequate sustainability strategy
- Failure to address societal impacts
- Insufficient evidence of deployment readiness
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much funding is available?
The total budget for the call is €100 million.
What is the main goal of the initiative?
The goal is to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility solutions through large-scale demonstrations.
What levels of automation are supported?
Projects should build on advanced SAE Level 2 systems and progress toward SAE Level 3 and Level 4 automation.
What demonstration methods are required?
Projects must use Field Operational Tests, Technology Pilots, and/or Living Labs.
How long must demonstrations run?
Demonstrations must continue for at least 12 months across multiple testing sites and corridors.
Can organizations outside Europe participate?
Yes. Any legal entity, including organizations from non-associated third countries and international organizations, may participate if Horizon Europe requirements are met.
Why is interoperability important?
Interoperability enables automated mobility systems to operate seamlessly across different vehicle brands, infrastructures, regions, and countries, supporting large-scale adoption.
Conclusion
The Call for Flagship Pilot: Large-Scale Demonstrations of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) is one of Europe’s largest investments in automated mobility deployment, providing €100 million to validate next-generation mobility technologies under real-world conditions. By combining advanced automation, interoperability, stakeholder collaboration, public engagement, and sustainable transport solutions, the initiative aims to accelerate market adoption, improve road safety, strengthen mobility resilience, and position Europe as a global leader in connected and automated transportation.
For more information, visit EC.
