Objective
CUSTOMICS addresses the growing threat of illegal vegetable seed flows and associated microbiological risks to EU supply chains. Illicit seed trade undermines phytosanitary security, agricultural innovation, and market integrity, while climate change increases the likelihood of novel pathogens entering the EU through seeds. To respond to these challenges, CUSTOMICS will develop a rapid and scalable inspection platform that integrates next-generation sequencing (NGS), portable genomic devices, and secure data systems to support real-time customs decision-making. Using tomato seeds as a proof-of-concept crop of high economic value, CUSTOMICS will establish fast genomic workflows for seed variety authentication, ensuring traceability and protection of intellectual property rights. In parallel, the project will create a metagenomic pipeline capable of detecting a broad spectrum of microbial contaminants—including viruses, bacteria, and fungi—within a One Health framework, strengthening EU capacity to identify emerging phytosanitary threats at borders. To ensure operational relevance, CUSTOMICS will co-develop procedures with EU customs laboratories and prototype a cybersecurity-enabled fraud-reporting database that links customs, phytosanitary authorities, and law-enforcement agencies. This will enable real-time case cross-referencing, harmonised workflows, and evidence-based interventions across Member States. By combining plant genomics, metagenomics, cybersecurity, bioinformatics, and regulatory expertise, CUSTOMICS will deliver a field-adapted, interoperable, and legally compliant solution that enhances EU border security, accelerates inspections, and protects agricultural resources and consumer trust. The project will lay the foundation for a scalable model applicable to additional crop species, reinforcing EU resilience against biological and economic threats.
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 biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture horticulture vegetable growing
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences climatology climatic changes
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computer security
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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.2.3 - Civil Security for Society
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.3.2 - Protection and Security
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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-IA - HORIZON Innovation 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-CL3-2025-01
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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.
00128 Roma
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.