Enhancing Mobility for All: affordable, reliable, and accessible multimodal transport for inclusive rural and urban connectivity – Societal Readiness pilot
Horizon Europe · Grant topic
Summary
A Polish company can use this call for R&D.
Funds local authorities, transport operators, companies and researchers piloting affordable, accessible multimodal connections between rural and urban areas, addressing vulnerable populations' needs.
- Who can apply
- Companies can lead: SME, large company, startup, research org, university, public body, municipality.
- Amount
- €7M per projectTotal budget €21,000,000
- Deadline
- 07 Oct 2027 02:00 CESTin 348 days
- Status
- Forthcomingopens 3 Jun 2027
Machine-classified from the call text; check eligibility at the source.
Description
Expected Outcome:
Proposals should address all of the following outcomes:
• Strategies, best practices and innovative solutions are made available to local authorities and actors to improve the availability, accessibility, and affordability of rural-urban transport and provide rural and urban populations in a vulnerable situation with better access to services and opportunities;
• Integrated multimodal solutions, which ensure seamless transitions between rural and urban transport modes improving first- and last-mile connectivity, are piloted and related implementation plans are developed for/by local authorities and transport operators;
• Responsiveness to a deeper understanding of the needs and concerns of diverse social group involved in or potentially affected by the R&I development, thereby increasing the potential for beneficial societal uptake, and building trust in results and outcomes. Development of options for behavioural change towards healthier, safer and more sustainable mobility and lifestyles in rural and urban populations in a vulnerable situation.
Scope:
EU policies, such as the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the European Green Deal, emphasise the need for inclusive, efficient, accessible and sustainable transport systems that leave no one behind. Transport poverty refers to individuals’ and households’ inability or difficulty to meet the costs of private or public transport, or their lack of or limited access to transport needed for their access to essential socioeconomic services and activities. Considering the national and spatial context, transport poverty affects both rural and underserved urban areas. Addressing this challenge requires innovative multimodal transport solutions which integrate various modes efficiently, leveraging digitalisation, shared mobility, and demand-responsive transport to enhance affordability, reliability, and accessibility, thereby ensuring Mobility as a Right.
Proposals should address all the following aspects:
• Building on the outcome of previous calls and existing knowledge (e.g. SMARTA-NET[1], the study on Novel policy ideas for a shift to low-carbon mobility[2], the study on Transport poverty: definitions, indicators, determinants, and mitigation strategies[3] and other relevant EU-funded projects[4]), and drawing on the feedback experience of existing innovative mobility solutions (e.g. SMARTA-NET Catalogue of rural shared mobility solutions[5]), investigate strategies to enhance availability and accessibility of sustainable and inclusive transport services in sparsely populated regions with limited transport options.
• Analyse the demand for mobility services in regions and communities affected by transport poverty and investigate which drivers could facilitate transport users in a vulnerable situation (including consideration of gender disparities in mobility and access to transport) to use public transport or other shared mobility options (including e.g. underutilised regional and secondary rail lines or feeder services to main rail corridors).
• Develop new sustainable and inclusive integrated multimodal solutions that ensure seamless transitions between rural and urban transport modes, improving first- and last-mile connectivity. Solutions should focus on vulnerable and low-income households (including consideration of gender disparities in mobility and access to transport), and should combine, in an optimal (economic, social, environmental, and operational) way, the various modal transport offers to go beyond forced car ownership. Developing new digital platforms is out of the scope of this topic.
• Each proposal must include pilot demonstrations in at least 4 pilot sites. The pilot demonstrations must cover 4 different areas across the EU and Associated Countries ensuring geographical balance and diversity of issues addressed (e.g. presence or not of transport services such as regional trains, frequency of services, population density). Each proposed issue must be addressed in at least two pilots. The pilots must be community-driven, carried out under the lead or with the involvement of rural/local/regional public authorities/administrations and the local transport authorities, and these entities must be included in the consortium as beneficiaries.
• Elaborate and propose plans for a possible implementation of the developed and tested solutions by local authorities and transport authorities/operators.
• Through the active engagement of public transport operators, local authorities, rural communities, and civil society organisations, through the European Rural Mobility Network (ERMN)[6], elaborate a roadmap to implement and scaling up the tested solutions, while ensuring widespread adoption across diverse regional contexts.
Proposals must plan for an active collaboration amongst the projects selected under this topic - for dissemination, evaluation and coordination - facilitated by and within the CIVITAS initiative[7] through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding. Proposals should ensure that appropriate provisions for activities and resources aimed at enforcing this collaboration are included in the work-plan.
If the proposed solutions use position, navigation, and/or timing (PNT) services or data, the beneficiaries must make use of Galileo (other GNSS may additionally be used). Where appropriate, Galileo services such as OSNMA (Open Service Navigation Message Authentication) and HAS (High Accuracy Service) should also be utilised.
This topic is a Societal-Readiness pilot:
• Proposals should follow the instructions applying to the Societal Readiness pilot, as described in the introduction of the Horizon Europe Main Work Programme 2026-2027 for Climate, Energy and Mobility. They entail the use of an interdisciplinary approach to deepening consideration and responsiveness of research and innovation activities to societal needs and concerns.
• This topic requires effective contribution of the relevant SSH expertise, including the involvement of SSH experts in the consortium, to meaningfully support Societal Readiness. Specifically, SSH expertise is expected to facilitate the socio-technological interface and enable designing inclusive transport systems that consider accessibility, equity, and digital literacy. Proposals should consider citizens engagement and dialogue, for seeking wider input and support.
Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects
Activities are expected to achieve TRL 7-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL.
[1] https://www.smarta-net.eu/
[2] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/ae58bebf-b2b9-11ef-acb1-01aa75ed71a1
[3] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/0b300f5f-b125-11ef-acb1-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
[4] Various shared mobility solutions have been demonstrated in multiple European projects, including , SMARTA2, LAST MILE, MAMBA, INCLUSION, MARA, MELINDA, Hi-Reach, UPPER and SPINE.
[5] Solutions – SMARTA-NET
[6] ERMN – SMARTA-NET
[7] CIVITAS
Who can apply, in detail
- Applicant types
- SME, Large company, Startup, Research org, University, Public body, Municipality
- Purpose
- Research and innovation
- R&D relevance
- 3 of 3
- Poland eligible
- Yes
- Country limit
- —
- Region
- Any
- Consortium
- Unclear
- Readiness level (TRL)
- —
- Topics
- Inclusive multimodal transport
- Rural-urban connectivity
- First and last mile mobility
- Accessible transport services
Machine-classified from the call text; check eligibility at the source. 23 Oct 2026
Conditions
Typed facts extracted from the source documents by Scindu's grant-data review. Each value keeps its own conditions. Unknown means unstated, not zero or unlimited.
- Consortium requiredBeneficiaries; affiliated entities do not count toward minimum
- Yes
Unless the topic provides otherwise, at least three independent legal-entity beneficiaries from three different countries: one from a Member State and two others each from different Member States or Associated Countries.
- Other condition
- The Work Programme classifies this exact topic as an Innovation Action.
- Other condition
- General Annex B excludes legal entities established in China from Innovation Actions. The specific Work Programme condition additionally excludes entities established in an eligible country but directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China only where that topic states the critical-technology restriction.
- Other condition
- Horizon Europe projects must focus exclusively on civil applications.
- Other condition
- If proposed solutions use PNT services or data, beneficiaries must use Galileo; other GNSS may additionally be used. Where appropriate, OSNMA and HAS should also be used.
- Other condition
- If the project uses satellite-based Earth-observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data or services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS; other data and services may also be used.
- Other condition
- Where a Type 2 detailed budget is required, estimates may include subcontracting, purchases, and other cost categories per beneficiary/affiliated entity and work package. Subcontracting must cover action tasks and meet the MGA eligibility and best-value/no-conflict conditions; purchases follow the beneficiary’s usual purchasing practices and best value for money or lowest price, with no conflict of interest. These are estimated-cost rules, not separate LS reimbursement promises.
- Other condition
- Expected outcomes include solutions available to local actors to improve rural-urban transport availability, accessibility and affordability for vulnerable populations; piloted seamless multimodal transitions and local implementation plans; and responsive, inclusive R&I that builds trust and supports healthier, safer, sustainable mobility.
- Other condition
- The call overview indicates around 3 project(s) expected to be funded under this topic. This is a planning estimate, not a guaranteed award count or consortium-size rule.
- Other condition
- The specific topic conditions state that eligible costs take the form of a lump sum under the Horizon Europe lump-sum decision. This is not direct reimbursement of each actual payroll or invoice.
- Other condition
- The call Work Programme specifies lump-sum funding but does not identify its subtype. For project-based Type 2 lump sums, the Commission’s guidance calls for realistic estimates by cost category, beneficiary/affiliated entity, and work package, using costs eligible under the programme’s actual-cost rules, in line with normal practices, reasonable and necessary for the activities. Confirm the subtype in the call’s submission system before treating that Type 2 estimate table as call-specific.
- Other condition
- Public universities (higher education establishments) established in China and administered by or under the supervision of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology are ineligible to participate in any action under all parts of this Work Programme.
- Other condition
- Each proposal must include pilots at at least four sites in four different EU/Associated-Country areas, ensuring geographical balance and issue diversity; each proposed issue must be addressed in at least two pilots. Pilots must be community-driven and led or involve rural/local/regional authorities and local transport authorities, which must be consortium beneficiaries.
- Other condition
- The topic requires effective contribution of relevant SSH expertise, including SSH experts in the consortium, to support Societal Readiness. The stated role is disciplinary expertise and capability; the Work Programme does not specify job titles, headcount, salary, or employment arrangement.
- Other condition
- The granting authority may, for up to four years after the action ends, object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results under the specific Annex 5 provision.
- Other condition
- Develop inclusive integrated multimodal services with seamless rural/urban and first/last-mile connectivity, focused on vulnerable and low-income households; optimize modal offers economically, socially, environmentally and operationally. Developing new digital platforms is out of scope.
- Other condition
- Build on prior research and experience; investigate availability/accessibility of sustainable inclusive transport in sparsely populated areas with limited services; analyse mobility demand and barriers for vulnerable groups, including gender disparities and options such as regional/secondary rail or feeder services.
- Other condition
- This is a Societal-Readiness pilot; proposals should follow the programme introduction’s societal-readiness instructions. Proposals must plan active collaboration among selected projects for dissemination, evaluation and coordination through CIVITAS, facilitated by a signed Memorandum of Understanding, and include resources/work-plan activities for it.
- Other condition
- The pilot instructions expect reasonable resources in a dedicated task to engage with the D2-09 Coordination and Support Action, including annual physical workshops, interviews and exchanges; D2-09 covers travel to physical workshops.
- Other condition
- The instructions expect a public Final report on Societal Readiness within the last three months, reflecting implementation experience, outcomes, challenges, engagement and recommendations.
- Other condition
- The instructions expect a public First report on Societal Readiness within the first six months; it sets out the project approach, initial needs/concerns, guiding-question responses, roles and plans.
- Other condition
- The application page limit is extended by two pages to 47 pages to address Societal Readiness issues.
- Other condition
- D6-08 explicitly requires proposals to follow the Societal Readiness pilot introduction; Work Programme footnote 23 identifies D6-08 among the three pilot topics.
- Other condition
- The pilot instructions expect explicit resources for Societal Readiness activities and transversal integration either as tasks across work packages associated with R&I or as a transversal work package.
- Other condition
- Proposals should explain in application section 1.2 Methodology how Societal Readiness will be integrated throughout the work and address relevant Responsible Research and Innovation guiding questions.
- Other condition
- The pilot instructions say consortia should bring appropriate SSH expertise through partner inclusion to facilitate the socio-technical interface and design compatible objectives, work packages and tasks.
- Other condition
- The Work Programme expects activity to reach TRL 7–8 by project end. This is an expected range, not a guarantee or a separately imposed funding entitlement.
- Other condition
- The Work Programme allows the responsible Director-General to open the call up to one month before or after its planned opening and to delay its deadline by up to two months. These are call-programme flexibilities, not a claim that a change occurred.
- Other condition
- The Work Programme schedules this call to open 2027-06-03 and sets the deadline as 2027-10-07 at 17:00 Brussels local time.
- Technology readiness level at end, maximum
- 8 TRL
Both endpoints are an expected end-of-project target range, not separate eligibility floors or ceilings. The Work Programme says activities may start at any TRL.
- Technology readiness level at end, minimum
- 7 TRL
Both endpoints are an expected end-of-project target range, not separate eligibility floors or ceilings. The Work Programme says activities may start at any TRL.
Amounts and costs
- Indicative budget
- €21,000,000
Topic budget as stated in the portal's budget table. Lump-sum and per-project limits are in the call conditions.
- Eligible cost limitEligible direct costs in MGA categories A–D, with stated exclusions
- 25 percent of eligible direct costs
The HE MGA flat-rate calculation excludes volunteer costs, subcontracting, financial support to third parties, and exempted specific cost categories. For these topics the grant is a lump sum; this is an underlying estimate/eligibility rule, not a separately reimbursed 25% payment. Operating-grant restrictions may also make indirect costs ineligible under the lump-sum guide.
- Funding intensity, maximumNon-profit legal entity beneficiaries only
- 100 percent of eligible costs per beneficiary
General Annex G permits a rate up to 100% for non-profit Innovation Action beneficiaries. The rate is not an award guarantee and for lump sums is applied through the amount-setting methodology.
- Funding intensity, maximumBeneficiary category under this action type
- 70 percent of eligible costs per beneficiary
General Annex G maximum for this Horizon Europe action type; not an award guarantee. For lump-sum grants, the rate is applied through the amount-setting methodology rather than shown separately in the grant agreement.
- Expected contribution per projectCommission estimated EU contribution for this topic
- €7,000,000
The overview identifies this as an amount around which outcomes could be addressed; different proposal amounts are not precluded. This is not a fixed minimum, maximum, or award guarantee.
- Topic allocationTopic-specific indicative allocation in the 2027 Work Programme call table
- €21,000,000
The Work Programme labels the amount indicative; call footnote says the budget is subject to Union budget appropriations. It is a topic allocation, not a per-beneficiary grant amount.
Personnel and services
Other role
Staff cost the grant can fund
These are cost-category estimate inputs only if this call uses a project-based Type 2 lump-sum detailed budget. The Work Programme only identifies lump-sum funding and does not identify the lump-sum subtype. A role row does not advertise a vacancy, fix a headcount, salary, or hiring entitlement; the lump sum is paid for action implementation, not separately as actual payroll. MGA A.2/A.3 requires assignment to the action, employee-like working conditions, and (unless agreed otherwise) the result belonging to the beneficiary; the calculated rate must correspond to actual costs and not be significantly different from similar employee tasks.
Other role
Staff cost the grant can fund
These are cost-category estimate inputs only if this call uses a project-based Type 2 lump-sum detailed budget. The Work Programme only identifies lump-sum funding and does not identify the lump-sum subtype. A role row does not advertise a vacancy, fix a headcount, salary, or hiring entitlement; the lump sum is paid for action implementation, not separately as actual payroll. Under the HE MGA, employee costs may qualify when the person works for the beneficiary under an employment contract/equivalent appointing act and is assigned to the action; eligible remuneration components and calculation follow Article 6.2 A.1.
Other role
Staff cost the grant can fund
These are cost-category estimate inputs only if this call uses a project-based Type 2 lump-sum detailed budget. The Work Programme only identifies lump-sum funding and does not identify the lump-sum subtype. A role row does not advertise a vacancy, fix a headcount, salary, or hiring entitlement; the lump sum is paid for action implementation, not separately as actual payroll. MGA A.4 permits such action work to be declared as personnel costs only where the person is an SME owner or natural-person beneficiary not receiving a salary and the amount is calculated as the applicable unit cost under Annex 2a.
Other role
Required staff
The topic requires effective contribution of relevant SSH expertise, including involvement of SSH experts in the consortium, to support Societal Readiness and facilitate its socio-technological interface. No particular position, headcount, salary, or employment arrangement is specified.
Source documents
Call facts
- Opens
- 3 Jun 2027
- Deadline model
- Single-stage
- Programme
- Horizon Europe · 2021 - 2027
- Call
- HORIZON-CL5-2027-06 · MOBILITY
- Types of action
- HORIZON Innovation Actions
- Source
- ec.europa.eu
- Checked
- 24 Oct 2026
- Portal updated
- 7 Oct 2026
- Review status
- Partial review
- Reviewed
- 23 Oct 2026
This is a summary of the source page, not the official text. Eligibility, conditions and the submission system are at the source.