Official call identifier: HORIZON-CL3-2026-01-INFRA-01
Objective of the call
The objective of this call is to strengthen the resilience of European critical infrastructure by developing and validating practical tools and methodologies for stress testing. The solutions should help operators and authorities assess vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities against physical, cyber, natural and human-induced threats before real incidents occur, supporting the objectives of the EU Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive.
Scope of activities
Projects should develop and validate tools and processes for virtual and/or physical stress testing of critical infrastructure across relevant sectors, such as energy, transport, water, digital infrastructure and health. Activities may include simulation and modelling, multi-hazard and multi-threat scenario building, data analytics, geospatial information and digital twins. Solutions should improve vulnerability assessment, stakeholder collaboration and notification under stress conditions, secure data sharing and post-incident investigation. Projects should also support improved operational procedures and training and ensure that solutions can be adapted across different critical infrastructure sectors.
Eligible applicants
- Innovative SMEs, startups and enterprises aiming to scale and strengthen competitiveness
- Public-sector organisations driving transformation and societal impact
- Research and academic institutions commercialising knowledge
- Non-profit organisations delivering purpose-driven innovation
- Organisations based in EU Member States, EFTA/EEA, or Associated Countries (described in General Annex A, General Annex B, General Annex C)
- Minimum 3 independent partners from 3 eligible countries
Specific consortium we are looking for:
The consortium should include critical infrastructure operators, authorities responsible for critical infrastructure resilience, civil protection authorities and/or security providers. At least three relevant practitioner organisations must participate as beneficiaries. Research and technology providers with expertise in simulation, modelling, digital twins, risk assessment, data analytics, geospatial technologies and stress-testing solutions are also relevant consortium partners. SMEs providing specialised resilience, scenario-modelling or infrastructure security technologies can contribute to development and validation activities.
Eligible costs
Eligible costs follow standard Horizon Europe Innovation Action (IA) rules and may include:
• Personnel costs for research, technology development, validation, testing and project implementation
• Travel and subsistence costs related to project activities
• Equipment and infrastructure usage required for stress-testing, simulation and demonstration activities
• Consumables and materials required for project implementation
• Subcontracting costs where necessary for specialised project activities
• Third-party and in-kind contributions in accordance with Horizon Europe eligibility rules
Funding conditions
Type of action:
Innovation Action (IA)
Funding rate:
70% of eligible costs (except for non-profit legal entities, where a rate of up to 100% applies)
EU contribution per project:
Around €4,835,000
Number of funded projects:
2 projects
Project duration:
Typically 36 months
Technology Readiness Level (TRL):
Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project
*Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) describe the maturity of a technology, from basic research (TRL 1) to fully deployed, market-ready solutions (TRL 9).
Deadline for submission
5 November 2026