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Horizon Europe · European Union

Enhancing preparedness for large-scale cross-border disasters

Opens 5 May 2027

The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 2 awards of €4 million each, from a total budget of €8 million. Applications close on 4 Nov 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.

Expected outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following expected outcomes:

• Utilization of virtual and augmented reality training to simulate large-scale and transboundary disasters, improving disaster management’s readiness and response capabilities;

• Development of diverse crisis scenarios using VR/AR technology, providing immersive, practical training experiences for emergency personnel, responders and decision makers;

• Strengthened ability of responders and decision-makers to manage large-scale, cross-border disaster scenarios through advanced, technology-driven training programs;

• Improved knowledge/experience-sharing from past emergencies to cope with future emergencies, also strengthening trans-national knowledge and data exchange among EU countries as well as from early warning to early action.

Scope

The scope of this topic is on enhancing preparedness for large-scale, cross-border disasters by leveraging advanced training methodologies, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) simulations and Digital Twins. The objective is to improve the readiness and response capabilities of disaster responders and emergency management personnel by providing immersive, technology-driven training experiences that replicate complex disaster scenarios.

Proposals should develop and validate innovative VR/AR-based crisis simulation models that can accurately depict diverse large-scale disaster situations, including transboundary hazards such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and industrial accidents. These simulations should incorporate near real-time data, AI-driven scenario adaptation, and multi-user interaction capabilities to ensure realistic, high-impact training exercises. Special attention should be given to the interoperability of these training platforms, allowing emergency services from different regions and countries to collaborate in joint preparedness exercises. Recommendations taken into account a gender-sensitive approaches should also improve crisis simulations by considering diverse needs and experiences.

Who can apply

Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule).

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Disaster resilience and crisis management First responders Incident Response Policy and Support Security Training crisis scenarios data exchange disaster management early warning to early action large-scale cross-border disasters preparedness resilience response capabilities virtual and augmented reality training

Timing

Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-11-04. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).

How to apply

1. Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
2. Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
3. Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries (Horizon Europe standard rule; Türkiye is associated). Confirm in the topic conditions.
4. Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
5. Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Single applicant or consortium

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where applicants must be based

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where to apply

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Read the EU application guide

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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