Deadline: 08-Oct-2026
The European Commission (EC) has launched a €4 million funding opportunity under Horizon Europe to strengthen Europe’s leadership, competitiveness, and resilience in Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM). The initiative aims to assess Europe’s position in the global CCAM market, strengthen supply chains, support AI-driven innovation, develop future mobility scenarios, and create policy and business strategies that enhance technological sovereignty and sustainable growth.
Participation is open to eligible legal entities worldwide, including organizations from non-associated third countries and international organizations, subject to Horizon Europe requirements.
What is the European Commission CCAM Resilience and Competitiveness Initiative?
The European Commission is investing in research, innovation, and strategic planning to strengthen Europe’s position in Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM).
CCAM refers to intelligent, connected, automated, and cooperative transportation systems that enable safer, more efficient, and sustainable mobility through technologies such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Autonomous driving systems
- Vehicle-to-vehicle communication
- Connected infrastructure
- Smart transportation networks
- Advanced mobility services
The initiative forms part of Europe’s broader efforts to secure its leadership in the future automotive and mobility sectors.
Funding Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Organization | European Commission (EC) |
| Programme | Horizon Europe |
| Total Budget | €4,000,000 |
| Focus Area | Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) |
| Geographic Scope | International |
| Eligible Applicants | Legal entities worldwide |
| Funding Objective | Strengthen Europe’s CCAM competitiveness and resilience |
Key Focus Areas
Projects should contribute to one or more of the following strategic priorities.
1. Global CCAM Competitiveness Assessment
Projects may assess:
- Europe’s position in global CCAM markets
- International competitors and market dynamics
- Strategic strengths and weaknesses
- Emerging opportunities and risks
- Commercialization pathways
2. AI-Driven Analytics and Innovation Mapping
Applicants may develop:
- AI-powered analytical tools
- Innovation intelligence platforms
- Technology monitoring systems
- Data-driven competitiveness assessments
- Global innovation mapping frameworks
3. Strategic Foresight and Future Scenarios
Activities may include:
- Horizon scanning
- Future mobility forecasting
- Scenario development
- Technology roadmapping
- Strategic risk analysis
The objective is to help Europe prepare for future geopolitical, technological, and economic developments.
4. Living Labs and Validation Environments
Projects may establish or utilize:
- Regional Living Labs
- Pilot environments
- Testing ecosystems
- Cross-border demonstration activities
- Stakeholder validation processes
These environments will help validate policy options and innovation pathways.
5. Socioeconomic Impact Assessment
Research may evaluate:
- Employment impacts
- Income growth
- Productivity gains
- Economic competitiveness
- Regional development outcomes
- Social inclusion effects
6. Industrial and Supply Chain Resilience
Projects may focus on:
- Critical raw materials
- Supply chain security
- Strategic autonomy
- Industrial competitiveness
- Reduction of external dependencies
- Manufacturing resilience
7. Governance and Policy Development
Expected activities include:
- Governance model design
- Institutional assessments
- Policy stress testing
- Regulatory recommendations
- Strategic investment frameworks
8. SME and Innovation Ecosystem Support
Projects should explore:
- Business opportunities for SMEs
- Support for micro-enterprises
- Innovation scaling pathways
- New market opportunities
- Entrepreneurial growth models
Why Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) Matters
CCAM is becoming one of the most important sectors shaping the future of transportation.
Benefits include:
- Improved road safety
- Reduced traffic congestion
- Lower emissions
- Increased transport efficiency
- Enhanced mobility services
- Stronger industrial competitiveness
- New economic opportunities
As global competition intensifies, Europe aims to maintain leadership in advanced mobility technologies while reducing strategic vulnerabilities.
Expected Project Outcomes
Successful projects are expected to deliver:
Strategic Intelligence
- Comprehensive CCAM market analysis
- Global competitiveness assessments
- Technology and innovation mapping
Future-Ready Policy Frameworks
- Evidence-based policy recommendations
- Long-term governance strategies
- Resilience-focused regulatory approaches
Economic and Social Insights
- Employment forecasts
- Economic impact assessments
- Social equity evaluations
- Regional development analysis
Industrial Competitiveness Strategies
- Supply chain resilience recommendations
- Investment priorities
- Technology development roadmaps
- Strategic autonomy frameworks
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants
Participation is open to:
- Universities
- Research institutes
- Public authorities
- Private companies
- SMEs
- Industry associations
- Non-profit organizations
- International organizations
- Legal entities from EU Member States
- Legal entities from Associated Countries
- Legal entities from non-associated third countries
Participation Requirements
Applicants must:
- Meet Horizon Europe eligibility requirements
- Register in the Participant Register
- Obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC)
- Complete validation before grant agreement signature
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Call Requirements
Carefully examine the Horizon Europe call documentation and project expectations.
Step 2: Build a Strong Consortium
Develop a consortium that includes expertise in areas such as:
- Automated mobility
- Artificial intelligence
- Economics
- Transportation systems
- Public policy
- Industrial competitiveness
- Data analytics
Step 3: Define Project Objectives
Clearly explain:
- The challenge being addressed
- Proposed methodology
- Expected outcomes
- Policy relevance
- European added value
Step 4: Develop Impact Frameworks
Include:
- Socioeconomic impact indicators
- Innovation metrics
- Resilience measurements
- Scalability plans
Step 5: Register and Obtain PIC
Ensure all participating organizations are registered and have valid Participant Identification Codes.
Step 6: Submit the Proposal
Submit the complete proposal through the Horizon Europe funding portal before the deadline.
What Makes a Strong Proposal?
Competitive proposals typically demonstrate:
- Strong European relevance
- Clear policy impact
- Innovative methodologies
- Robust AI and analytical approaches
- Cross-sector expertise
- Stakeholder engagement
- Scalability and sustainability
- Evidence-based recommendations
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors:
- Weak alignment with CCAM priorities
- Limited stakeholder involvement
- Insufficient socioeconomic analysis
- Lack of measurable outcomes
- Inadequate policy relevance
- Poor integration of AI and innovation assessment methods
- Weak consortium composition
- Failure to address resilience and strategic autonomy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is CCAM?
CCAM stands for Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility, a mobility ecosystem that integrates connected vehicles, automated driving technologies, artificial intelligence, and smart transportation infrastructure.
2. How much funding is available?
The European Commission has allocated a total budget of €4,000,000 for this opportunity.
3. Who can apply?
Any legal entity worldwide may participate, including organizations from non-associated third countries and international organizations, subject to Horizon Europe rules.
4. Are SMEs eligible?
Yes. SMEs and micro-enterprises are specifically encouraged through activities focused on innovation scaling and business development.
5. What types of projects are expected?
Projects should assess Europe’s CCAM competitiveness, support strategic foresight, evaluate socioeconomic impacts, strengthen supply chains, and develop policy and governance recommendations.
6. Is consortium participation required?
Applicants should consult the official Horizon Europe call documentation for consortium requirements and eligibility conditions.
7. What are the expected long-term benefits?
The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, economic resilience, and leadership in future mobility technologies.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s €4 million CCAM funding opportunity represents a major investment in the future of connected and automated mobility. By supporting research, innovation, policy development, and strategic planning, the initiative seeks to strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness, technological sovereignty, and economic resilience. Organizations with expertise in mobility, AI, transportation, economics, and public policy have a significant opportunity to contribute to the next generation of sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions across Europe.
For more information, visit EC.
