Trusted, secure, quality future digital travel credentials

Overview

Supports research and innovation to develop, test, and integrate advanced digital travel credentials (DTCs) beyond current ICAO standards, focusing on secure issuance, verification, biometric integration, and emergency use cases for EU border management.

Who Can Apply

Consortia including at least two border or coast guard authorities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Eligible applicants include research institutions, industry, public bodies, and security practitioners.

Funding Details

Maximum grant amount: 7,833,000 EUR. Funding is provided as a lump sum.

What Is Funded

• Development and testing of future DTC types (beyond Type 1) with secure issuance, validation, and sharing capabilities.
• Integration of innovative biometrics (e.g., fingermark, palmprint, contactless fingerphotos) and remote/on-the-move acquisition modalities.
• Secure connectivity and interoperability for DTCs, including emergency travel document issuance.
• Reference biometric sample quality assessments and standards for DTCs.
• Security enhancements for breeder documents to prevent fraud.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

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

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-05-04
• Deadline: 2027-11-03

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.

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 the European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex) and eu-LISA priorities, including engagement with these agencies during implementation.
• Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS data is mandatory if satellite-based services are employed.
• Active involvement of border or coast guard authorities is required as beneficiaries.