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Research for Civil Security

Research for Civil Security — Stichtag (Bekanntmachung: Richtlinie zur Förderung von Projekten zum Thema "Anwendungen in der zivilen Sicherheit")

Funds German projects in cyber and defense technologies that strengthen civil security applications.

Research for Civil Security is a standing programme of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), governed by the Bekanntmachung of 24 June 2024, running through 30 June 2027 with a possible extension to 31 December 2033. The programme finances application-oriented R&D that closes concrete capability gaps for user organisations operating in civil security—including police and emergency…

Civil security in five action fields: population protection, hybrid threats, secure supply, population resilience, and enabling safe living. Practical, application-oriented R&D consortia closing concrete capability gaps for user organisations such as authorities, emergency services, critical-infrastructure operators, municipalities and civil-society groups.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.24–36 months
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.50%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.-

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Guides for this application

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European Commission logo
Open

Horizon Civil Security: Critical Communications System

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds one €3M project building rugged, post-quantum-secure comms devices for first responders that keep working without cellular coverage.

DefenseCybersecurity+1
€3MNov'26
European Commission logo
Open

Horizon Security: Emerging-Tech Crime & Data Access

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds two €4.5M grants for police tools against emerging-tech crime and the lawful-data-access rules to match, run with Police Authorities as partners.

CybersecurityDefense
€4.5MNov'26
European Space Agency logo
Closed

Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S) User Studies: Satellite Applications for Public Safety

🇦🇹ESA · Global / Multinational

Funds up to €250K, 100% covered, for satellite public-safety user studies.

DefenseCybersecurity+1
€250K
European Commission logo
Closed

Improved preparedness for, response to and recovery from large-scale critical-infrastructure disruptions

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds monitoring, risk-assessment and stress-testing tools that help critical-infrastructure operators withstand and recover from major disruptions.

DefenseCybersecurity
€5M
Coefficient Giving logo
Open

Navigators Incubator — Cohort 1: Securing Transformative AI

Coefficient · United States

Runs a selective AI security fellowship for small teams tackling critical risk problems.

AICybersecurity+1
European Defence Fund (DG DEFIS) logo
Closed

Risk, robustness and resilience for autonomous vehicles in military operations

🇪🇺EDF · European Union

Funds research into automated cyber-defence for military drones and autonomous vehicles that can detect, react to and recover from attacks.

DefenseCybersecurity+1