Objective
Short on Strength (SOS) examines the growing recruitment crisis facing European militaries. Despite rising security threats and higher defense budgets, many countries struggle to attract new personnel and retain those already serving. This dual challenge poses a pressing policy problem but also offers a unique opportunity to explore deeper political and social questions. Military service has long been central to the formation of modern states and the meaning of citizenship. Understanding why fewer Europeans are willing to serve provides insights into the evolving relationship between citizens, the state, and the armed forces.
The project pursues five objectives: (1) developing a multi-level theoretical framework for military recruitment; (2) identifying military recruitment challenges across Europe; (3) documenting the demographic profile of military personnel; (4) analyzing the causes of the recruitment crisis; and (5) evaluating alternative service models, including conscription and the recruitment of foreign nationals.
SOS adopts a comparative, multi-method design that combines large-N statistical analysis, online experiments, original surveys, document analysis, and interviews with military personnel. The project will generate original data, theoretical innovation, and actionable insights for policymakers seeking to design more sustainable and inclusive armed forces. In doing so, SOS will shed light not only on a critical defense challenge but also on broader transformations in European democracies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
55100 Lucca
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.