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Horizon Europe Cluster 3 — Civil Security & Disaster Resilience

Horizon Civil Security: Critical Communications System

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

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First responders, police and emergency services need to talk to each other and to their own teams, even in a burning building, a disaster zone, or a remote valley with no signal. Most of today's radios and apps weren't built for that, and they weren't built with the codebreaking power of tomorrow's computers in mind either. This topic funds one project to close both gaps at once, as part of the EU

Designing and building ruggedized, hands-free secure communication devices and applications for first responders, law enforcement, emergency services and other civil security practitioners — wearable sensors, haptics and augmented reality for situational awareness among them — that keep working in places with no cellular coverage. Devices have to secure data exchange and authentication with post-quantum cryptographic protocols, stay compatible with 3GPP Mission Critical Services (MCX) and open APIs, and work toward the future EU Critical Communication System (EUCCS) so agencies in different countries can interoperate. At least 3 first responders' organisations have to be involved as beneficiaries, and the project should support relevant standardisation efforts where possible.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.5 Nov 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.22 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
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.30%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€3M

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-SSRI-04Source: ec.europa.eu