Call: Integration of detection capabilities and data fusion with utility providers’ networks

The primary aims of the Secure Societies Challenge are:

• to enhance the resilience of our society against natural and man-made disasters, ranging from the development of new crisis management tools to communication interoperability, and to develop novel solutions for the protection of critical infrastructure;
• to fight crime and terrorism ranging from new forensic tools to protection against explosives;
• to improve border security, ranging from improved maritime border protection to supply chain security and to support the Union's external security policies including through conflict prevention and peace building;
• and to provide enhanced cyber-security, ranging from secure information sharing to new assurance models

Research undertaken in recent years has proposed innovative approaches for the detection of precursors of explosives, drugs, and more generally speaking substances threatening the security of the citizens. Such approaches often require the installation of networks of sensors throughout urban areas. Utility networks, which are well developed in such areas, could be both sources of information through the analysis of the substance that they transport/provide (e.g. energy consumption, characteristics of used waters) or of their environment (e.g. quality of air, etc.).

Proposals should address the deployment of detection systems in large and medium cities, in existing networks, or a combination of such networks, for instance for the detection of explosive precursors and illegal chemicals (drugs). Proposals shall address sewage networks and quality of air monitoring networks, and may address other networks. Proposals should also provide for a mobile platform equipped to ascertain the composition and location of suspicious measurements, once data have been provided by the networked detection systems. Proposals should provide for the prototype of a system controlling the detection systems and capable of fusing data provided by a variety of such networks, and of interfacing with other networks, pay particular attention to ethical issues raised when using such systems, and address the sustainability of such systems.

At least two independent utility network operators; and Law enforcement agencies (LEA) in charge of counter-terrorism, or bomb squad units, from at least 3 EU Members States must be beneficiaries of the grant agreement(Additional participation from LEAs from Associated Countries is encouraged) and should be directly involved in the carrying out of the tasks foreseen in the grant.
Demonstrations must take place in at least 2 agglomerations: One of over 1,000,000 inhabitants, and another of between 100,000 and 300,000 inhabitants, located in 2 different Member States, and using different types of sewage systems (separating domestic waters from rain waters, or not).

Funding rate: 70% (except for non-profit legal entities, where a rate of 100% applies).

Indicative budget: The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of 8 million € would allow for this topic to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Link to the National Contact Point Finder.