EU research

  • Introduction
  • Horizon projects
  • Research grants
  • News and events

    • Research and innovation programmes are one of the main driving forces behind EU’s growth, modern solutions and even future technological vision. Each EU institution, body or agency as well as non-governmental partner may contribute to the general development with their know-how and expertise through various forms of cooperation.

    In February 2020, Frontex and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG Home) co-signed the Terms of Reference regarding Frontex’s role in the EU’s research & innovation programmes (Horizon). Under these terms, Frontex provides its assistance to DG Home in relation to projects in the border security domain, namely in the areas of:

    • programming, evaluation of research proposals,
    • monitoring of project results and their further application to develop the capabilities of the European Border and Coast Guard community.

    Frontex also actively participates in a wide range of selected activities of border-security projects, such as tests, trials, and demonstrations of technologies.

    Our page dedicated to the current Horizon projects in the area of border security provides more information on this subject.

    Grants for non-profit organisations and academia

    To pursue an even closer cooperation with non-profit organisations and academia, in 2022 Frontex launched the Research Grants Programme, a financing scheme to support the development of breakthrough technologies relevant to border security. One of the primary objectives of this programme is to identify the cutting-edge technologies which have the potential to address current border management operational needs, thus developing the capabilities of the European Border and Coast Guard community. Please go to our grants section to consult all research-related calls for proposals.

    The grants programme is designed to fund projects which are innovative, viable and aligned with the Frontex’s mission. At the end of the funding period, the beneficiaries are required to demonstrate novel technological concepts, proof-of-concepts, or prototypes. For more detailed information about the projects co-funded under the Research Grants Programme please visit our page on research grants.