Open Call: Preventing Criminal Misuse of Emerging Technologies and Lawful Data Access

The European Commission’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action supports the development of tools, training, and frameworks to help European police authorities prevent and counter the criminal misuse of emerging technologies. The programme emphasizes lawful access to data, fundamental rights, and cross-border cooperation.

The call has a total budget of €9 million, with an indicative EU contribution of approximately €4.5 million per project.

About the Programme

This funding initiative strengthens law enforcement capacity across Europe to respond to evolving technological threats while ensuring compliance with EU legal and ethical standards.

It focuses on balancing:

• Security and crime prevention
• Privacy and data protection
• Lawful access to digital information
• Fundamental rights protection

Key Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Prevent misuse of emerging technologies for criminal activity
• Strengthen police investigative capabilities
• Improve lawful access to data
• Enhance cooperation between EU Member States
• Develop future-proof law enforcement tools and methods
• Support training and knowledge sharing

Technologies Covered

The initiative addresses risks and opportunities linked to:

• Artificial intelligence (including generative AI)
• Quantum technologies
• Advanced communication systems
• Biometric and identity systems
• Cloud computing infrastructures
• Digital and encrypted communication tools

Core Focus Areas

1. Law Enforcement Capacity Building

• Development of modern investigative tools
• Training curricula for police authorities
• Advanced digital forensics methods
• Operational readiness for new technologies

2. Legal and Ethical Frameworks

• Lawful access to data under EU law
• Privacy and data protection compliance
• Guidelines for ethical use of emerging technologies
• Fundamental rights safeguards

3. Cross-Sector Collaboration

• Cooperation between police, policymakers, and technologists
• Interdisciplinary research and innovation
• Sharing best practices across EU Member States

4. Operational Implementation

• Tools for anticipating and detecting cyber-enabled crime
• Systems for supporting criminal investigations
• Scalable and adaptive methodologies

Expected Outcomes

Projects are expected to deliver:

• Improved detection and investigation of tech-enabled crime
• Stronger interoperability between EU law enforcement agencies
• Enhanced training frameworks for police forces
• Secure and lawful access to critical digital evidence
• Practical tools validated for operational use

Funding Details

• Programme type: Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA)
• Total budget: €9 million
• EU contribution per project: ~€4.5 million

Key Stakeholder Engagement

Successful projects are expected to collaborate with:

• Europol (validation and operational alignment)
• EU Drugs Agency (drug-related crime aspects)
• CEPOL (law enforcement training cooperation)
• National and regional police authorities
• Technical and academic partners

Eligible Applicants

Eligible participants include:

• Research institutions and universities
• Law enforcement agencies and public authorities
• Technology companies and cybersecurity firms
• International organisations
• Civil society and policy research organisations
• Cross-border consortia under Horizon Europe rules

How to Apply

Applicants are expected to:

1. Design solutions addressing tech-enabled criminal threats
2. Ensure compliance with EU legal and ethical frameworks
3. Build interdisciplinary consortia (law, tech, policy)
4. Include validation with law enforcement agencies
5. Submit proposals via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal
6. Register and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC)

Strong proposals typically include:

• Clear operational use cases for law enforcement
• Strong privacy and data protection safeguards
• Scalable and interoperable solutions
• Training and capacity-building components
• Evidence of real-world applicability

Key Principles

All proposals must ensure:

• Respect for fundamental rights
• Compliance with EU privacy and data laws
• Proportionate use of surveillance and data access
• Transparency and accountability in tool design
• Security-by-design and ethics-by-design principles

Tips for Applicants

To strengthen applications:

• Align solutions with real policing challenges
• Include validated pilot or prototype systems
• Demonstrate interoperability across EU agencies
• Integrate training and operational deployment plans
• Address risks of misuse and ethical concerns explicitly

Avoid purely theoretical proposals without operational validation.

FAQ

What is the main goal of the programme?

To help law enforcement counter criminal misuse of emerging technologies while protecting fundamental rights.

How much funding is available?

€9 million total, with around €4.5 million per project.

Which technologies are in scope?

AI, quantum technologies, biometrics, cloud computing, and advanced communications.

Who are the key partners involved?

Europol, CEPOL, EU Drugs Agency, and national police authorities.

Is data privacy important in this call?

Yes, lawful access, privacy, and data protection are central requirements.

Where are applications submitted?

Through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Conclusion

This Horizon Europe initiative strengthens European law enforcement capacity to respond to rapidly evolving technological threats. By combining innovation, training, and legal safeguards, it ensures that emerging technologies can be addressed effectively while maintaining strict respect for privacy, ethics, and fundamental rights across the EU.