Advanced border surveillance and situational awareness

Overview

Funding for research and development of advanced border surveillance and situational awareness technologies to improve detection, localization, and response to cross-border threats, including trafficking, smuggling, and large-scale migration movements. Targets consortia with active involvement from border or coast guard authorities.

Who Can Apply

Consortia comprising legal entities from eligible EU Member States, Associated Countries, or third countries with specific funding provisions. Must include at least two border or coast guard authorities from different eligible countries. Entities directly or indirectly controlled by China are ineligible.

Funding Details

Maximum grant amount: 6,000,000 EUR. Funding is provided as a lump sum.

What Is Funded

Development of solutions for:

• Detection, localization, and characterization (and, where applicable, neutralization) of unmanned vehicles (aerial, surface, underwater) used in illicit activities.
• Enhanced border situational awareness, particularly in regions facing large-scale migration or environmental/climate stress.
• Modular, scalable systems compatible with the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) and other EU information-sharing environments (e.g., CISE).
• Cost-efficient, energy-efficient technologies that improve detection range, accuracy, response time, and system resilience while safeguarding fundamental rights.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must target Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 6.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-05-05
• Deadline: 2026-11-04

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must include a mid-term deliverable assessing outcomes with input from security practitioners.

Post-Award Obligations

• Compliance with lump-sum funding rules.
• Potential observation of pilots/demonstrations by Frontex.
• Transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results may be restricted for up to four years post-project.

Geographic Scope & Language

Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland. Application language: English.

Notes

• Mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS for satellite-based data/services.
• Proposals must align with the European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) Capability Roadmap and engage with Frontex during implementation.
• Solutions must demonstrate measurable improvements in detection, automation, and resilience while promoting fundamental rights.