Detection and tracking of illegal and trafficked goods
Closed
Status as published by the data source.
Expected Outcome:
Projects’ results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following outcomes:
• Contributing to development of fully automated customs control checkpoints;
• Enhancing detection capabilities for customs security, while facilitating trade. Scope:
European customs need improved capabilities that allow bettering and automatically detecting from traces; interpreting images from scanned cargo; interpreting data; tracking goods; and/or identifying anomalies that support the detection of threats, smuggling or illicit trade eliminating or minimizing disruption to the trade flow. The proposed system should hence advance and/or combine as much as possible the components of detection, tracking and risk-based anticipation.
On detection, the proposed solution(s) could include trustworthy algorithms for recognition that minimise false positives and biases. Proposed research could include, for example, image (shape) recognition and interpretation, and/or a trace detection approach
On tracking, the research can propose and explore, for example, technologies for improved traceability of goods and items that could be illicitly trafficked using non-invasive markings.
On risk-based anticipation, the proposed solution(s) can leverage automated image recognition and interpretation capability coupled with data analytics, such as using advance cargo information in order to anticipate and detect security risks prior to goods’ arrival at the EU external borders.
The research project can test one or more specific use cases, such as (non-exhaustive examples): art; cultural goods; waste and other environmentally risky material, including radioactive ones; valuables; and/or dangerous items either assembled or disassembled.
Improving energy efficiency and environmental impact aspects of new security technologies for this capability (e.g. low environmental footprint, low emissions, circular economy aspects and/or self-sustained equipment) would be desirable.
Examples of technologies and approaches that can be explored by the research projects include (non-prescriptive and non-exhaustive): scanning (vision), detectors/”sniffers” (traces), nanotechnology, blockchain/DLT, artificial intelligence.
Research projects should consider, build on (if appropriate) and not duplicate previous research, including but not limited to research by other recent EU Framework Programmes projects on security research.
Proposals should delineate the plans for further development to subsequent TRLs as well as uptake (industrialisation, commercialisation, acquisition and/or deployment) at national and EU level, should the research deliver on its goals. The results of the research should be taken up by EU customs authorities in the framework of the Customs Union “acting as one”, with the support of the Customs Control Equipment Instrument (CCEI).
The involvement of Police Authorities[1] is encouraged, as well as synergies with relevant topics of the Fighting against Crime and Terrorism Destination.
[1] In the context of this Destination, ‘Police Authorities’ means public authorities explicitly designated by national law, or other entities legally mandated by the competent national authority, for the prevention, detection and/or investigation of terrorist offences or other criminal offences, specifically excluding police academies, forensic institutes, training facilities as well as border and customs authorities.
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- (time not stated)
- Opens
- Published
- Total budget
- €6,000,000
- Grant range
- €3,000,000 – €3,000,000
- Country
- European Union (EU-wide)
- Programme
- Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
- Official page
- Open at the source portal
Other calls under Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
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- Advanced TSO control rooms to enhance grid observability, stability and resilience
- Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADSM) for more efficient and flexible distribution grids
- Community of practice - Data-Driven Decision-Making in Energy
- Industrial processes and equipment for innovative, reliable and scalable tandem technologies (EUPI-PV Partnership)
- Integrated Approaches for Retrofitting Infrastructures with Innovative Energy Storage Technologies
- Demonstration of hydropower technologies for efficient and forward-looking refurbishment of existing hydropower plants
- Delivery of industrial CCUS clusters – Societal Readiness pilot
All calls under this programme
Similar opportunities
- Detection and characterisation of threats or illegal/ smuggled goods in cargo
- Advanced border surveillance and situational awareness
- Preventing and fighting illicit trafficking of cultural goods
- Open topic on enhanced prevention, detection and deterrence of societal issues related to various forms of crime
- Open topic on increasing security of citizens against terrorism, including in public spaces
- Organised crime and drug trafficking
Where this came from
- Source document
- https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/data/topicDetails/horizon-cl3-2024-bm-01-05.json
- Document fingerprint
93ef58425914e8ee(SHA-256, first 16 hex characters)- Retrieved
- First recorded here
What has changed
- url first recorded as https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl3-2024-bm-01-05 on
- currency first recorded as EUR on
- amount_max first recorded as 3000000.00 on
- amount_min first recorded as 3000000.00 on
- budget_total first recorded as 6000000.00 on
- deadline first recorded as 2024-11-20 on
- opens_on first recorded as 2024-06-27 on
- published_on first recorded as 2022-12-07 on
- status_basis first recorded as source_status on
- status first recorded as closed on
- title first recorded as Detection and tracking of illegal and trafficked goods on
Data source
© European Union, 2026. Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Reused under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU — CC BY 4.0.
Retrieved from the source on .
The source last updated this document on Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:58:22 GMT.
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