Deadline: 05-Nov-2026
The European Commission is inviting applications under Horizon Europe to support advanced disaster response and search-and-rescue technologies across Europe. The programme funds innovative tools, autonomous drones, robotics, AI systems, and emergency response technologies designed for hazardous environments such as wildfires, earthquakes, and large-scale disasters.
About the Programme
The initiative supports the development of:
- Autonomous drones and robotics
- Search-and-rescue technologies
- Emergency medical response systems
- AI-driven decision-making tools
- Remote sensing and communication technologies
- Smart protective equipment
- Command-and-control systems
- Real-time situational awareness platforms
Projects should improve:
- Disaster response efficiency
- Emergency responder safety
- Coordination during large-scale emergencies
- Interoperability and data sharing
- Crisis management capabilities
Funding Details
- Programme: HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-DRS-03
- Funding Type: Horizon Innovation Actions
- Total Budget: €8 million
- Expected Funding per Project: Around €4 million
Key Focus Areas
The programme prioritises:
- Wildfire and earthquake response
- Hazardous and low-visibility environments
- Robotics and autonomous systems
- AI-supported emergency operations
- Cybersecurity and data privacy
- Ethical deployment of autonomous technologies
- Integration with EU disaster preparedness systems
What Projects Should Include
Projects are encouraged to:
- Design and test innovative disaster-response systems
- Conduct pilot demonstrations and field exercises
- Improve communication and coordination systems
- Support real-time operational decision-making
- Align with EU Civil Protection Pool and rescEU capacities
Strong proposals should also address:
- Stakeholder and market analysis
- Technology adoption roadmaps
- Accessibility and inclusivity
- Regulatory and ethical considerations
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Companies and startups
- Research institutes
- Universities
- NGOs and public authorities
- International organisations
- Legal entities from eligible third countries
Affiliated entities and associated partners may also participate.
How to Apply
- Develop an innovative disaster-response solution
- Build a multidisciplinary consortium
- Include testing and operational validation plans
- Demonstrate interoperability and practical impact
- Submit under Horizon Europe requirements
FAQ
- What is the funding amount?
- Projects can receive around €4 million in funding.
- What technologies are supported?
- Robotics, drones, AI systems, remote sensing, communication technologies, and emergency response tools are supported.
- Who can apply?
- Companies, research organisations, universities, NGOs, public authorities, and international organisations are eligible.
- Are pilot demonstrations required?
- Yes, practical testing and validation are strongly encouraged.
- What environments are targeted?
- The programme focuses on hazardous environments such as wildfires, earthquakes, smoke-filled areas, and unstable disaster zones.
- Does the programme support AI technologies?
- Yes, AI-driven situational awareness and operational decision-making systems are encouraged.
Conclusion
The Horizon Europe Disaster Response Innovation programme supports advanced technologies that strengthen Europe’s emergency response and search-and-rescue capabilities. The initiative aims to improve responder safety, operational coordination, and disaster preparedness through robotics, AI, autonomous systems, and innovative emergency technologies.
For more information, visit European Commission.