Development of innovative tools, processes, equipment and technologies through responses to disasters and emergencies for search and rescue in hazardous conditions

Overview

Funding for the development of advanced tools, processes, equipment, and technologies to enhance search and rescue operations in hazardous disaster environments, targeting emergency responders, medical authorities, and technology providers.

Who Can Apply

Consortia including at least two practitioner organisations (first responders) and two medical emergency authorities from at least three different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Relevant international organisations based in eligible countries may also participate. 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 innovative solutions for disaster and emergency response, including:

• Autonomous drones, robotics, and AI-driven technologies for search and rescue in wildfires, earthquakes, and large-scale trauma events.
• Smart protective equipment, remote sensing, and communication tools for extreme conditions.
• Command-and-control systems for coordinated disaster response.
• Heavier assets such as flood containment systems, firefighting vehicles, and aerial response equipment.
• Ethical, legal, and social considerations (e.g., data privacy, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance).

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must target Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7 to 9, focusing on deployment, validation, and market uptake.

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 table with details of practitioner organisations and medical authorities involved.

Post-Award Obligations

Projects must address stakeholder or market uptake, including a roadmap for integration with EU-level capacities (e.g., European Civil Protection Pool, rescEU). Ethical, legal, and social implications must be documented. The granting authority may object to ownership transfers or exclusive licensing of results 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

Proposals must align with EU policies, including the Preparedness Union Strategy, and consider synergies with operational grants like the Knowledge for Action in Prevention & Preparedness (KAPP). Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS is mandatory if satellite-based data or services are employed.