The EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) and Horizon Europe (2021-2027) aim at strengthening Europe's innovation capability and ensuring EU’s global competitiveness. The Border Security projects funded by the Horizon Programmes address a wide spectrum of technological capabilities critical for the European Border and Coast Guard, such as unmanned platforms, document fraud detection, situational awareness, biometrics, command and control, artificial intelligence, robotics, augmented reality, integrated systems and identification of illicit drugs. The investments made in the Border Security domain are of high importance to ensure Frontex can fulfil its strategic objectives: reduce vulnerability of the external borders, guarantee safe, secure and well-functioning EU borders, and further enhance European Border and Coast Guard capabilities.
Frontex continuously seeks to engage with cross-sectorial partners responsible for the management, implementation and coordination of the projects so its research and innovation activities are able to transform operational requirements into innovative operational solutions. This effort resulted in co-signing with the Commission's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG-Home) a dedicated Terms of Reference, which lays the foundation for closer partnership and contributes to maximizing joint goal-oriented efforts.
Under these Terms of Reference, Frontex provides its assistance to DG-Home among others in the areas of programming, monitoring and the uptake of projects results. Of key relevance is Frontex active participation in selected activities, such as tests, trials and demonstrations of technologies. These activities do not affect the roles of DG HOME and the Research Executive Agency, which continue carrying out their responsibilities linked to the overall design, implementation and coordination of the security part of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
This section in Frontex website aims at providing an easy access to information on activities carried out by the Agency and relevant Horizon projects and thus to a wide range of research and innovation topics, potential products and services, and research and innovation networks of experts and users.