Objective
NEPTUNE – Next-generation European Protection and Technology for Undersea critical infrastructure Network Enhancement – addresses the urgent need for a coordinated European research and innovation road map for submarine cable infrastructures. These cables form the backbone of Europe’s digital and energy connectivity, but face rising risks from technical failures, natural hazards, and intentional attacks, while governance and Research & Innovation remain fragmented across Member States. NEPTUNE will deliver comprehensive Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda - a Roadmap that defines key R&I priorities, investment needs, and governance mechanisms to enhance the resilience, security, and sustainability of submarine cables. It will cover all relevant domains, including construction, operation, maintenance, and repair, and align with the resilience cycle of the EU Action Plan for Cable Security (Prevent, Detect, Respond & Repair, Deter). NEPTUNE will map and assess critical hardware and software components, define R&I activities with investment scenarios, and develop resilience and preparedness frameworks. It will also provide policy recommendations, guidance for NIS2 and CER implementation, and a skills and training agenda to build future capacity. By integrating sustainability considerations, the project will promote environmentally responsible and climate-resilient infrastructures in line with the European Green Deal. Through its roadmap, NEPTUNE will strengthen cross-border collaboration between authorities, operators, and industry, improve governance coordination, and establish European leadership in submarine cable technologies. The consortium partners combines methodological excellence, operational insight, and policy relevance with strong industry linkages. Designed to be compact and agile, it ensures neutrality toward competing technologies while remaining deeply embedded in industry networks through operators, ministries, and pan-European organisations.
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.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- social sciences sociology governance
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences physical geography natural disasters
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.2 - Key Digital Technologies
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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-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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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) HORIZON-CL4-2025-03
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
01300 Vantaa
Finland
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.