Deadline: 05-Nov-2026
The Horizon Europe Open Call on age assessment methods is a Coordination and Support Action aimed at improving child protection systems within migration, asylum, and border management contexts across Europe. The initiative focuses on enhancing the reliability, accuracy, and ethical application of age determination practices, particularly for unaccompanied minors lacking official documentation.
Program Overview
This initiative supports research coordination and comparative analysis of existing age assessment approaches used in Europe and internationally. It does not develop new technologies but instead evaluates, compares, and synthesizes current methods to improve evidence-based policy and operational decision-making. The goal is to ensure age assessment practices are scientifically robust, ethically sound, and aligned with child protection principles.
Key Objectives
- Improve protection of minors through reliable and minimally invasive age assessment methods
- Strengthen preparedness and cooperation among migration and border authorities
- Combat human trafficking through better identification of vulnerable individuals
- Expand the European knowledge base on age assessment reliability and effectiveness
- Support harmonization of age assessment practices across EU member states
Scope and Focus Areas
- Analysis of social and interview-based age assessment methods
- Review of psychological evaluation techniques for age estimation
- Assessment of medical methods such as dental and radiological analysis
- Evaluation of emerging data-driven and AI-supported approaches
- Study of method reliability, sensitivity, specificity, and limitations
- Comparison of national and international age assessment frameworks
Policy and Ethical Framework
The initiative aligns with child protection and human rights principles under the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child. It emphasizes:
- Prioritization of least invasive methods
- Use of medical techniques only as a last resort
- Protection of minors’ dignity and fundamental rights
- Ethical and transparent use of scientific methods in decision-making
It also builds on guidance from the European Union Agency for Asylum and comparative research from networks such as the European Migration Network.
Funding Information
- Programme: Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (CSA)
- Total indicative budget: approximately €1,330,000
- Funding structure: single-stage call
- Submission window: 6 May 2026 to 5 November 2026
Key Challenges Addressed
- Lack of reliable identity and age documentation among unaccompanied minors
- Difficulty in determining legal age at EU external borders
- Risks of incorrect age classification affecting access to protection services
- Need for consistent practices across EU member states
- Balancing security requirements with child protection obligations
Expected Outcomes
- Improved scientific understanding of age assessment methodologies
- Evidence-based comparison of existing approaches across Europe
- Better coordination between migration, border, and law enforcement authorities
- Increased consistency in age assessment procedures
- Strengthened rights-based protection systems for minors
- Reduced risk of harm from inappropriate assessment methods
Implementation Approach
- Collection and review of existing scientific and operational studies
- Comparative analysis of national and international practices
- Evaluation of methodological strengths and limitations
- Engagement with stakeholders in migration, asylum, and law enforcement sectors
- Development of policy-relevant recommendations for harmonization
Who Should Be Involved
Eligible participants typically include:
- Research institutions and universities
- Policy and legal research organizations
- Migration and asylum experts
- Child protection and human rights organizations
- Public authorities involved in border and migration management
Why This Initiative Matters
The Horizon Europe age assessment initiative plays a critical role in ensuring that vulnerable minors are correctly identified and protected within complex migration systems. By improving the scientific and ethical foundations of age assessment, the project supports fair access to legal protections, reduces the risk of trafficking exploitation, and strengthens trust in border and asylum procedures across Europe.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating the call as a technology development project (it focuses on analysis, not innovation creation)
- Ignoring ethical and child rights requirements
- Over-reliance on invasive medical methods without justification
- Weak comparative analysis of existing methods
- Lack of stakeholder engagement from migration and protection authorities
Tips for Strong Proposals
- Focus on comparative and evidence-based analysis of existing methods
- Integrate child rights and ethical frameworks throughout the project
- Include multidisciplinary expertise (legal, medical, social, policy)
- Ensure strong stakeholder participation across EU systems
- Provide clear methodology for evaluating reliability and limitations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the main purpose of this Horizon Europe call?
- To improve child protection through better understanding of age assessment methods
- To enhance reliability and ethical use of age determination in migration contexts
- Does the project develop new age assessment technologies?
- No, it focuses only on analyzing and comparing existing methods
- What methods are included in the analysis?
- Social interviews, psychological assessments, medical techniques, and AI-supported approaches
- What is the funding amount?
- Approximately €1,330,000 under a single-stage Horizon Europe call
- When is the application deadline?
- From 6 May 2026 to 5 November 2026
- Which organizations are relevant to this initiative?
- European Union Agency for Asylum
- European Migration Network
- Why is age assessment important in this context?
- It determines whether individuals are treated as minors or adults
- It affects access to protection, housing, and legal rights
Conclusion
The Horizon Europe Open Call on age assessment methods strengthens child protection systems by improving the scientific and ethical understanding of how age is determined in migration contexts. It promotes coordinated, rights-based, and evidence-driven practices across Europe, ensuring better protection for vulnerable minors.
For more information, visit European Commission.