Horizon Europe is the framework programme for research and innovation for the years 2021-2027, in which Frontex’s role is further strengthened.
How?
The programme requires that the border management research proposals formulated by the consortia of industry and academia address the priorities of the European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) community starting from the design and engage with Frontex in the implementation of the projects.
How did Frontex contribute?
Frontex provided diverse, numerous and user-perspective contributions to the EU-funded border security research projects, e.g.:
- proposing research topics to the European Commission;
- evaluating research proposals;
- feedback on projects;
- participation in projects reviews, meetings, workshops and demonstrations;
- facilitation of interaction with Frontex operational departments and initiation of common endeavours;
- dissemination of the projects content and results to the EBCG community.
How did this start?
In February 2020, Frontex and the Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG Home) signed the terms of reference regarding Frontex’s role in the EU’s Research & Innovation Programmes. This document laid the foundation for a close partnership and allowed for an enhanced contribution from Frontex to maximising EU research as a joint goal-oriented effort.
What’s new?
Seven new projects were launched in 2022 and will be monitored and supported by Frontex.
Project EURMARS will improve sensing capabilities for a wide range of security risks and threats in wide border areas, by clustering high altitude platforms technology, satellite imagery, unmanned vehicles and ground-based sensors into a novel joint surveillance capability.
Project I-SEAMORE aims at delivering a platform to be used in managing the operation of multiple assets and systems with advanced maritime surveillance capabilities that can be easily deployed and operated at European maritime operation centres.
Project ODYSSEUS will leverage the power of digital technology offering to citizens the appropriate tools to cross land and sea borders in a secure and seamless manner without stopping, while equipping the border authorities with novel tools for secure identity verification and unobtrusive vehicle/luggage/cargo checks, eliminating long delays at border.
FLEXI-cross project aims to increase security and reliability of EU border checks for people and goods through the development, deployment, and validation of a toolkit of innovative border-checking solutions. The resulting flexibility and dynamicity of border check planning will offer novel capabilities such as dynamic deployment of checkpoints and support via mobile applications for border personnel.
Project MELCHIOR aims to improve a novel technology for fast detection of drugs, explosives, weapons, and illicit goods concealed on individuals and in critical cavities of the human body based on infrasound mechanical impedance interrogation, optionally complemented with other harmless and non-contact technologies.
Project iFLOWS will design, develop, integrate, test, and validate a novel multi-tier synergistic toolkit for enhancing intelligence extraction, screening and detection of illicit material and hazardous substances within courier and postal flows moving across and within EU borders.
Project PARSEC addresses the detection of threats and illicit goods in postal and express courier flow. It will develop and test next-generation non-intrusive technologies and combine them into an architecture designed for detection accuracy, speed, and reliability.
All the above-mentioned projects are listed on the dedicated section of the Frontex website.