Approaches and tools for security in software and hardware development and assessment
EU funding call for the development of innovative tools and methods for the security of software and hardware development as well as validation. Submission possible until 15.09.2026.
Discover your potential with AI support
- Find out if this grant matches your project
- Develop your application together with AI
- Get matched with many more suitable grants
Grant criteria
Funding objective
The goal is to promote research and innovation projects for the development, testing, and validation of novel approaches and tools for security-by-design, secure hardware architectures, formal verification methods, and AI-supported security testing in software and hardware supply chains.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Subcontractors
- Material costs
- Travel expenses
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Educational Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Legal entities from EU member states or associated countries
- Educational institutions, companies, or research institutions
- Experience in EU research projects or comparable expertise
Documents required for application
- Application via the Funding & Tenders Portal
- Project Description
- Financial Plan
- Curricula Vitae of the Principal Investigators
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Relevance to the target group
- Quality and efficiency of implementation
Description
The funding call by the European Commission under Horizon Europe is aimed at consortia consisting of companies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and public authorities in EU Member States as well as associated countries. The objective is the development, testing, and validation of novel approaches and tools for security-by-design, secure hardware architectures, formal verification methods, and AI-supported security testing in software and hardware supply chains. Research and Innovation Actions (Horizon-RIA) are funded with grants ranging from €3,000,000 to €4,000,000 per project at a funding rate of 100%. Eligible applicants are legal entities from EU Member States or associated countries with demonstrable experience in EU research projects. Eligible costs include personnel expenses, subcontracting services, material costs, and travel expenses. The application deadline is 15.09.2026, 17:00 Brussels time, via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
The evaluation focuses on the degree of innovation, relevance to the target group, as well as the quality and efficiency of implementation. Consortia must include at least three independent partners from different countries and implement milestones and work packages in accordance with Horizon Europe rules within a project duration of up to 36 months. Applications must include the application via the portal, project description, financing plan, and CVs of lead researchers. Supporting documents – including Annexes A–G, standard application and evaluation forms, lump-sum model contract – are available on the portal. By fully covering 100% of eligible costs for research and innovation projects, no financial co-financing is required, thereby providing optimal relief especially for SMEs and research institutions. The call supports innovative security solutions along the entire product lifecycle of software and hardware, thereby making a decisive contribution to strengthening digital resilience in Europe.