Electoral integrity in the digital context
EU-wide funding for the research and strengthening of the integrity of digital voting processes. Projects should develop innovative solutions for secure, transparent, and inclusive elections. Submission possible until 23.09.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Investigation and strengthening of the integrity of electoral processes in the digital age: research on risks such as disinformation, cyberattacks, and AI manipulation; development of ethical AI approaches, transparent political advertising, tools against foreign informational manipulation, and strategies to secure elections.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs
- Travel expenses
- Subcontractor services
Non-eligible expenses
- Acquisition of real estate
- Retroactive costs
- Debt settlement
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
- Educational Institutions
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Established in an EU Member State or associated country
- No grounds for exclusion according to Article 141 of the EU Financial Regulation
Documents required for application
- Standard application form (HE RIA IA)
- Financial plan
- Ethics self-assessment
- Detailed budget table (Lump Sum)
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Impact and dissemination channels
- Quality and efficiency of implementation
Description
The EU-wide call aims to systematically research and strengthen the integrity of digital electoral processes in the age of disinformation, cyberattacks, and AI manipulation. Within this framework, innovative approaches are sought that develop ethical AI methods, make political advertising more transparent, and provide tools against foreign information manipulation. Projects with a duration of up to 36 months will be funded, conducting personnel- and material-intensive research, covering material and travel costs, as well as subcontractor services. The funding amount per project ranges between €3,500,000 and €4,000,000 at a funding rate of 100%. Applications can be submitted until 23.09.2026, 17:00 Brussels time.
The call is addressed to EU, national, and local electoral authorities, political decision-makers, civil society organizations, media and platform operators, researchers in electoral and democracy studies, as well as developers of security and surveillance technologies. Eligibility requires establishment in an EU Member State or associated country and compliance with the exclusion criteria according to Article 141 of the EU Financial Regulation. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, expected impact, and quality of implementation. Only expenses for personnel, consumables, travel, and subcontractors will be funded. Required submissions include the standardized application (RIA/IA), a financing plan, an ethics self-assessment, and a detailed budget table (Lump Sum). This approach aims to establish robust, inclusive, and trustworthy electoral procedures that sustainably strengthen democratic cohesion in Europe.