Advisory support and network to counter disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)

The main goal of this opportunity is to counter disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), which threaten democracy, human rights, social cohesion, and European security. The action focuses on making research-based tools, recommendations, and educational materials widely accessible across sectors such as media, education, security, and ICT. It encourages collaboration by building on previous and ongoing EU-funded projects and addresses challenges like hybrid threats, identity-based disinformation, and the use of generative AI in spreading false information. The scope covers EU countries, associated countries, and certain non-EU countries that meet specific funding conditions.

• Projects must build on results from past or ongoing EU-funded initiatives, especially under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.
• Proposals should leverage or integrate frameworks such as DISARM and D-RAIL.
• Projects must address disinformation, FIMI, or related hybrid threats.
• Initiatives should aim to make research outputs accessible to wider audiences in media, education, security, or ICT.
• Collaboration across sectors and with other EU-funded projects is encouraged.

Example Projects:

• A project that adapts an existing EU-funded toolkit for use in schools to teach students about disinformation.
• A collaboration between media organizations and researchers to deploy scientific methods for detecting AI-generated fake news.
• An initiative that expands a successful security sector pilot to help local governments counter identity-based disinformation campaigns.

• Personnel costs for project staff
• Costs for developing or adapting educational materials
• Expenses for organizing workshops, seminars, or training sessions
• Purchase or licensing of software tools related to disinformation analysis
• Travel and accommodation for project-related events
• Communication and dissemination activities
• Subcontracting specific tasks or services
• Costs for collaboration or partnership-building activities
• Administrative and management expenses directly related to the project

Restrictions: All expenses are covered under a single lump sum, and only costs directly linked to the project objectives are eligible.

• Budget for this Call: 3.500.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1
• Budget per project: 3.500.000€

• Applicants must be legal entities established in an EU country, an associated country, or certain non-EU countries with specific funding provisions.
• Entities from non-associated third countries may participate under exceptional conditions.
• Eligibility may depend on the protection of European communication networks.
• Applicants should be able to demonstrate the ability to build on previous or ongoing EU-funded projects.
• Partnerships or collaborations, especially with other EU-funded initiatives, are encouraged.
• Organizations must comply with Horizon Europe Programme Guide provisions on participation and funding.