CITADEL Open Call 1

Applications are submitted online via the dedicated platform before the deadline (English only) https://citadel.grantplatform.com/.

Evaluation process (6 steps):

1. Administrative eligibility check
2. External evaluation by at least two independent experts (Excellence, Impact, Implementation / score 0-5 each; threshold 10/15; +1 bonus for transnational consortia)
3. Consensus meeting and ranking list
4. Online Jury Day (pitch + Q&A; max. 9 points)
5. Final ranking combining external evaluation (max. 16 incl. bonus) + Jury (max. 9) = 25 points
6. Invitation to sign Sub-Grant Agreement (subject to document verification)

Up to 17 projects will be funded under CITADEL Open Call 1.

The CITADEL Open Call 1 supports security-focused demonstration and pilot projects aimed at strengthening the protection and resilience of critical infrastructures, urban environments, and territories against physical, cyber, and hybrid threats.

Projects must validate advanced digital security technologies in real or near-real operational environments, moving from TRL 5–6 to TRL 6–7+.

Supported technologies include in particular:

1. Artificial Intelligence and data analytics (predictive analytics, anomaly detection, decision support, digital twins)
2. IoT and smart sensing systems (multi-sensor monitoring, edge AI, secure IoT architectures)
3. Photonics and optical systems (computer vision, advanced sensing, robotics perception)
4. Cybersecurity solutions (threat detection, secure data management, cyber resilience)
5. Secure communication and interoperable platforms for crisis coordination and emergency response

Funding does not cover technology acquisition, but rather field validation, operational testing, performance measurement (KPIs), and integration within the security value chain to accelerate market uptake.

Financial support is addressed exclusively to for-profit SMEs established in EU Member States or countries associated to the Single Market Programme. Projects must be submitted by a consortium of two independent legal entities:

1. Partner 1: SME from the digital sector (technology provider - offer side)
2. Partner 2: Private (SME or non-SME) or public entity acting as end-user from the security sector (demand side)

Only SMEs receive funding (max. 60 000 € lump sum per project, max. 80% of total budget; ≥20% private co-financing).