Perception, Action & Cognition

Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: advanced socio-economic transformation based on scientific/technological opportunities delivered by the bio-based sectors and bioeconomy. This will result in innovative bio-based products and services, supporting the more sustainable way of living (e.g. new socio-economic models), higher circularity, affordability, resource efficiency, climate neutrality etc); improved public understanding and engagement in bio-based innovation underpinned by scientific advances in life sciences and biotechnology; better living conditions for individuals and communities, benefiting from less polluted ecosystems, via healthier, and environmentally sustainable products and services with a reduced carbon footprint and based on circular and bio-based solutions. Scope: The projects under this topic are relevant to the EU policies related to the European Commission communication on: Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, the Strategy for European Life Sciences, the EU Biotech Act, Clean Industrial Deal and the policies related to the fair green transition (objective of not leaving anyone behind). It also contributes to the Start-ups and Scale-ups strategy. Synergies with activities under the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) Joint Undertaking and New European Bauhaus are encouraged. Proposals should address the following activities: develop the innovative user-friendly bio-based products and/or services, underpinned by biotechnology and biomanufacturing approaches, to support the more sustainable applications with a clear societal benefit, such as less resource-intensive consumer goods, to reduce environmental and climate pressures. Foresee the necessary links with the digital technologies and tools (e.g., bioinformatics, AI, etc.); assess the potential of new socio-economic models for circular and bio-based systems, integrating aspects of environmental justice, gender equality, diversity and social inclusion, as well as relevant international global best practice, via e.g. societal dialogue/innovation, social impact assessment, involvement and inputs from the social sciences and humanities (SSH); include research and innovation activities to understand and increase the level of current public perception and acceptance, including the benefits / risks, addressing the consumer perspective, market acceptance and understanding of the bio-based innovation, as well as delivering higher understanding of consumption patterns and social demands; foresee the cooperation and feedback loops with industry and authorities, in respect to any new market solutions proposed. The multi-actor approach is encouraged. Proposals should involve SMEs – both as project beneficiaries or external actors - and offer opportunities to newcomers to Horizon Europe Cluster 6, as well as engage with the civil society stakeholders such as NGOs and consumer organisations to advance scale-up and facilitate future market deployment. Cooperation with projects funded under parallel topics such as HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-07: Advancing the European bio-based innovation enabled by biotechnology and biomanufacturing concepts is encouraged to maximise synergies, while avoiding overlaps. Cooperation between all projects funded under this topic should also be foreseen, as a specific tasks, with an allocation of resources, for synergies. Proposals should integrate the gender dimension and consider other social categories besides gender (disability, age, socio-economic status, ethnic and/or cultural origin, sexual orientation, etc.), and their intersections. This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and involvement of SSH experts in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. International cooperation is encouraged. Technology Readiness Level - Techn Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy Keywords: Bio-based products (products that are manufactured using biological material as feedstock) bio-based materials, bio-based plastics, biofuels, bio-based and bio-derived bulk and fine chemicals, bio-based and bio-derived novel materials, Biochemical research methods, Biochemistry and molecular biology, Biodiversity conservation, Bioprocessing technologies (industrial processes relying on biological agents to drive the process) biocatalysis, fermentation, Environmental biotechnology, Environmental engineering, Industrial biotechnology, Materials engineering, Social innovation, Social sciences, interdisciplinary, Sociology, bio-based, bio-product, bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, biomass, biotechnology, fair transition

HORIZON-CL5-2026-10-D6-03 funds generative AI applied to cooperative, connected and automated mobility, and it is one of the clearer statements yet of how European transport research intends to absorb large models. The scope targets robust environment perception and decision-making for Level 3 and Level 4 automated vehicle services - explicitly across the edge, on-board, at infrastructure and at back-office - with particular emphasis on vulnerable road user recognition and safety. Beyond perception, the call asks for generative AI including large language models and vision-language models to be used for scenario generation and validation testing, and for tools and guidelines that help developers integrate these technologies into existing CCAM concepts. That validation angle is the strategically interesting part: the hard unsolved problem in automated driving is proving safety across a scenario space too large to drive, and generative scenario synthesis is a direct attack on it. Proposals are expected to address security, fairness and compliance with European standards for connected and automated mobility, so a purely performance-driven proposal without regulatory and assurance work will read as incomplete. The call runs under the CCAM Partnership, which in practice means proposals should align with the partnership's roadmap and that consortia typically include vehicle manufacturers or tier-one suppliers, road operators or infrastructure partners, and research organisations. The HORIZON-CL5-2026-10 call opens on 4 June 2026 with a proposal deadline of 8 October 2026, giving roughly four months from opening - workable but tight for a consortium of this complexity, so partner discussions should begin before the call opens. Applicants should verify the topic budget, type of action and deadline on the official EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

Flagship-pilot: large-scale demonstrations of CCAM (CCAM Partnership) is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: This flagship pilot is the culmination of the entire activity catalogue carried out by the CCAM Partnership since its launch in 2021. It will combine in one project the most promising CCAM use-cases across three key domains, with the technological advancements from all its R&I clusters [1] supporting and enabling CCAM systems and services towards market uptake. This action is expected to contribute to all the following outcomes: Large-scale demonstrations of inclusive, user-oriented, and well-integrated CCAM systems and services for people and goods in mixed traffic through Field Operational Tests (FOTs), Technology Pilots, and Living Labs, building upon advanced and emerging SAE Level 2 systems to move towards SAE Level 3 and 4 functionalities, at multiple test sites and corridors showcasing CCAM potential [2] , for a minimum of 12 months. Validation of enabling technologies that facilitate the extension of Operational Design Domains (ODDs) in large-scale operations and enhance perception performance under poor lighting and adverse weather conditions in large-scale demonstrations and pilots. Assessment of deployment readiness and demonstration of technological maturity focusing on their reliability, security, and real-world applicability. Identification of the remaining technological and societal development needs to accelerate deployment and drive user and societal demand. These demonstrations will strengthen the connection with users and society through a co-creative process, ensuring that technological developments align with real-world needs and societal expectations. Recommendations for regulatory action aimed at facilitating the deployment of Automated Vehicles (AVs) in Europe, by engaging with relevant policy and regulatory bodies. Identification and selection of viable business models for each of the use-cases explored per domain, aiming for continued operation after the flagship pilot through private investment or national/local public funding including mechanisms for transferability and replicability to enable a broader application of results to other cities and regions. Scope: CCAM solutions are expected to provide a more user-centred, inclusive mobility system that enhances safety, reduces congestion, lowers harmful emissions, and contributes to decarbonization. In addition, CCAM solutions enhance transport effectiveness, thereby strengthening Europe's competitiveness in the global mobility sector. Novel mobility services can enable seamless integration with existing services such as public transport and logistics, while higher levels of automation are expected to boost transport productivity and efficiency. However, the benefits of these solutions must be proven through large-scale demonstrations, validating their effectiveness for both people and goods. It is also of key importance to integrate and test enabling vehicle technologies and to validate trusted communication and cyber security, as well as real time information transmission. Moreover, a comprehensive assessment of technology maturity is necessary, evaluating the readiness of automated driving functions within mixed traffic conditions and in confined areas. This evaluation helps determine the readiness of automation technologies for deployment, considering factors such as operational reliability, regulatory compliance, and user acceptance. By fostering a systematic approach to large-scale demonstrations, technology validation, and maturity assessment, and by prioritising zero-emission mobility, these efforts contribute to the seamless integration of CCAM solutions across the entire public and private transport ecosystem. The proposed action is expected to demonstrate different CCAM solutions and technologies in all the following domains: Individual mobility within mixed traffic environments, encompassing urban, suburban, motorway, and rural settings, with a focus on the seamless integration of automated and conventional vehicles. Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Industrial Competitiveness in Transport, Clean, Safe and Accessible Transport and Mobility, Smart Mobility