Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP)

Space critical Equipment for EU non-dependence – Space Refuelling Interface is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Reinforcing EU strategic autonomy by reducing non-EU dependencies on critical space Equipment and related technologies across their entire supply chain; Providing unrestricted access to critical space Equipment and related technologies relevant for EU space missions and pilots (e.g. In-Orbit Space Operations); Developing or regaining capacity to operate independently in space by developing resilient space Equipment and related technologies supply chains, relying on EU supply chains and/or trustable and reliable supply chains not affected by non-EU export restrictions; Enhancing competitiveness by developing products and capabilities reaching equivalent or superior performance level than those from outside the EU and compete at worldwide level. Scope: Unrestricted access to state-of-art space equipment and related technologies is a pre-requisite for the EU space industry responding to EU space missions. However, especially for some families of equipment, the available solutions in EU do not meet the current high-performance space requirements. Currently, alternative products sourced from outside EU, are either affected by non-EU export control, that limits its use, or present challenges in terms of trustable supply chains for the implementation of EU space missions with a security dimension. Within the frame of this topic, it is expected to finance and implement a development project aiming at maturing critical equipment with the final goal of lowering the dependency from outside EU. This will be done by establishing a long-term sustainable supply chain for supporting EU strategic autonomy in the space sector. The selection of the supply chains shall reflect this objective. Therefore, the supply chain shall preferably be built fully based in EU and when this can only be achieved partially, services procured from outside EU shall nevertheless ensure that the overall supply chain will remain trustable and not affected by non-EU export control. The latest scenario is subject to the approval of the granting authority (i.e. DG-DEFIS and HaDEA). The space equipment and related technologies relevant for this topic represent a direct implementation of the EU Observatory of Critical Technologies (OCT) Technology Roadmap, named Robotics Manipulators for Space Applications: Space Refuelling Interface . Further details will be provided at the latest at the opening of the Call, in a Guidance document published on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Space is a low volume market affected by a dynamic industrial landscape compared to the terrestrial market therefore, technological spin in and/or bilateral collaborations should be enhanced between European non-space and space industries. Furthermore, proposed activities should be complementary to relevant national or other activities at EU level. Complementary activities should be clearly identified, described and the proposal should report how the complementarity is ensured. To achieve the non-dependence objective, applicants are expected to include a dedicated proposal’s paragraph covering: The description of the technology and/or technology processes used for developing the equipment and high-level breakdown of the supply chain to be used. Applicants should demonstrate that the supply chain and final product are free of any legal export restrictions or limitations, such as those established in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or equivalent instruments applicable in other non-EU jurisdictions. Applicants shall also report, in a dedicated subsection, if and which part of the supply chain is affected by non-EU export controls such as the Export Administration regulation (EAR) i.e. EAR99. The description of the suitable technology development process that has been identified and set up within the consortium for avoiding export restrictions of non-EU states and assess vulnerab Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Digital, Industry and Space, Space, including Earth Observation

This is the largest single pot of federal money aimed at counter-drone capability, and it is worth understanding precisely who can touch it: eligible applicants are state governments only, which makes this a pass-through opportunity for the AI and sensing vendors that states procure from rather than a grant that a technology company applies to directly. Established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 and administered by FEMA as opportunity DHS-FEMA-C-UAS-161, the program provides $500 million total to help states and their local partners detect, identify, monitor, track and, in select jurisdictions, mitigate unmanned aircraft that threaten public safety or critical infrastructure. The funding splits across two years with a deliberate geographic logic: $250 million in FY2026 is prioritized for the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 events plus the National Capital Region hosting America 250 celebrations, and the remaining $250 million in FY2027 is distributed across all 56 states and territories with a broader emphasis on building durable national detection and response capacity. Award sizes are extraordinary in range - a floor of $3,325,000 against a ceiling of $250,000,000 across roughly 12 awards - reflecting that a single state consortium award can absorb an entire fiscal year's tranche. The AI relevance is in what the money buys: DIMT-M (detection, identification, monitoring, tracking and mitigation) technologies depend on sensor fusion, radio-frequency and radar signal classification, computer vision for visual drone identification, and machine learning models that distinguish hostile UAS from lawful traffic and birds in cluttered urban airspace. Practically, AI vendors should pursue this through state homeland security offices and existing statewide procurement vehicles. FEMA moved unusually fast on the first tranche, publishing the NOFO on October 28, 2025 and announcing $250 million in awards to World Cup host states by December 30, 2025, so companies should engage state emergency management agencies well ahead of the FY2027 cycle rather than waiting for a NOFO to appear.

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