Deadline: 05-Nov-2026
The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions programme to study and prevent the links between addictions and crime. The initiative supports collaborative, evidence-based projects addressing substance and behavioural addictions such as drugs, alcohol, and gambling, and their connection to criminal behaviour.
The programme has a total funding budget of €6 million and promotes cooperation between police authorities, researchers, civil society, and European agencies to develop prevention tools, interventions, and policy solutions.
About the Programme
This Horizon Europe initiative focuses on understanding and reducing the relationship between addictions and criminal activity through research, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
It addresses how addictions may contribute to:
- Drug-related crime
- Alcohol-related violence
- Gambling-related debt crimes
- Offenses committed under substance influence
- Social and economic vulnerability leading to crime
The programme promotes prevention, early intervention, and coordinated community responses.
Key Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen understanding of addiction–crime links
- Improve prevention and intervention strategies
- Support at-risk youth and vulnerable populations
- Modernise criminal justice responses
- Promote community safety and resilience
- Encourage gender-sensitive approaches
- Enhance cooperation between EU agencies and stakeholders
Types of Addictions Covered
The initiative focuses on both substance and behavioural addictions, including:
- Drug addiction
- Alcohol dependency
- Gambling addiction
- Other behavioural dependencies linked to crime risk
Collaboration Model
Projects are expected to involve multi-sector collaboration between:
- Police Authorities
- Civil Society Organisations
- Psychologists and researchers
- Local and national governments
- Private sector stakeholders
- Community organisations
This collaborative approach ensures that solutions are practical, evidence-based, and community-oriented.
Expected Activities
Funded projects may include:
- Research on addiction–crime relationships
- Development of prevention tools and methodologies
- Early intervention frameworks
- Community-based support systems
- Training programmes for law enforcement
- Policy development and testing
- Risk assessment models
EU Agency Cooperation
Selected projects are expected to collaborate with key European agencies, including:
- European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)
- CEPOL (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training)
This includes:
- Validating research outcomes
- Supporting law enforcement training
- Improving practical implementation of project results
Funding Details
- Programme type: Horizon Europe RIA (Research and Innovation Actions)
- Total budget: €6,000,000
- Call reference: HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-FCT-04
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Any legal entity worldwide
- Research institutions and universities
- Police and security authorities
- Civil society organisations
- International organisations
- Entities from non-associated third countries
Additional eligible participants may include:
- Affiliated entities
- Associated partners
- EU bodies
- Joint Research Centre (JRC)
- Associations and interest groupings
All applicants must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Develop a project addressing addiction-related crime prevention
- Build multidisciplinary partnerships
- Align with Horizon Europe security and health objectives
- Register in the Participant Register
- Obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC)
- Submit a complete proposal before the deadline
Strong proposals should demonstrate:
- Evidence-based methodology
- Strong cross-sector collaboration
- Practical prevention tools
- Law enforcement applicability
- Ethical and gender-sensitive approaches
Tips for Applicants
To improve proposal success:
- Combine criminology, psychology, and public safety expertise
- Focus on prevention and early intervention
- Include real-world pilot testing
- Engage police and community organisations early
- Ensure gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches
- Demonstrate measurable impact
Avoid purely theoretical projects without practical implementation or stakeholder engagement.
FAQ
What is the focus of the programme?
The programme focuses on preventing and understanding the links between addictions and crime through research and innovation.
How much funding is available?
The total budget is €6 million.
Who can apply?
Any legal entity, including international organisations and entities from non-associated third countries, may apply.
What addictions are included?
The programme includes drug, alcohol, gambling, and other behavioural addictions linked to crime.
Which EU agencies are involved?
The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and CEPOL are key cooperation partners.
What type of projects are supported?
Research, prevention tools, training programmes, and policy innovation projects are encouraged.
Conclusion
The Horizon Europe Addictions and Crime Prevention Programme 2026 supports interdisciplinary research and innovation aimed at reducing crime linked to addiction. Through collaboration between law enforcement, researchers, and community organisations, the programme seeks to develop practical prevention strategies that strengthen public safety and social resilience across Europe.
For more information, visit European Commission.
