Innovative solutions to fight wildlife trafficking and to reduce invasion of invasive alien species
Horizon Europe · HORIZON-NATURE-2027-02-04
Funding for tools that help customs and enforcement authorities detect illegal wildlife trade and invasive alien species in trade.
What is this call about?
The topic funds the development and demonstration of tools that help customs, border guards and environmental authorities detect illegal wildlife trade and invasive alien species in online and physical trade. Proposals should involve competent authorities from at least three countries as beneficiaries.
What does this call fund?
Scope
Wildlife trafficking and invasive alien species threaten biodiversity, cause economic damage and pose health risks. The topic funds innovative tools that help law enforcement, customs and competent authorities detect illegal wildlife trade and invasive alien species in online trade, such as e-commerce platforms, and in physical trade and logistics chains, such as ports, border crossings and postal hubs, while minimising disruption to trade.
Activities
- Develop tools and prototypes with end-users, prioritising cost-effective technologies deployable by authorities.
- Ensure interoperability with existing operational systems used by law enforcement and competent authorities.
- Ensure lawful collection, preservation and admissibility of digital and physical evidence, including cross-border evidence collection with an unbroken chain of custody.
- Demonstrate the solutions in relevant environments, ensure scalability and plan long-term maintenance.
- Train customs, border guards, law enforcement and environmental agencies to use the tools.
- Run public awareness campaigns with civil society and companies where relevant.
Other conditions
Pre-commercial procurement subcontracting is possible. Projects are encouraged to liaise with the Joint Research Centre, for example to test results at its Border Security Lab. Activities may start at any TRL and are expected to reach TRL 6-7 by the end of the project.
Expected outcomes
Stronger capacity of enforcement officers and authorities to detect illegal wildlife trade and prevent the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.
What are the key facts?
- Topic budget
- €13,000,000
- Funding per project
- €13,000,000
- Call code
- HORIZON-NATURE-2027-02-04
- Programme
- Horizon Europe
- Funder
- European Commission, Horizon Europe
- Expected number of projects
- 1
Who can apply for this call?
- Proposals should involve, as beneficiaries, at least three relevant competent authorities, representing law enforcement (such as customs or border guards), nature conservation services or environmental protection services, from at least three different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
- The topic requires effective contribution of social sciences and humanities disciplines and experts.
- Pre-commercial procurement subcontracting activities may be included.
Check your eligibility and how your project fits
In your free account, we check the eligibility conditions against the call documents for your organisation and assess how well your project fits this call.
When is the deadline?
14 January 2027 (68 days)
Interested in this call? Summary written with AI from the official call documents. Details can differ, so check the official call page before you apply. Read the official call documents before you decide. The official text is always binding.
Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the official call documents. Official call page Last updated 6 October 2026.