Boosting CBRNE Innovation in Southern CEE through Academy-Industry Collaboration

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Call ID

HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-02-01

Duration

06.2025 – 06.2027 (24 m)

Total Budget
0 €
Partners
0
Countries
0
Duration
0 Months

Motivation

CBRNE technologies play a vital role in public safety, environmental protection, and infrastructure security across the EU, especially in the geopolitically sensitive Southern CEE region. Despite having strong research capabilities, this region struggles with fragmented efforts, limited collaboration, and slow market adoption. In contrast, Western and Northern Europe benefit from better funding, structured networks, and strong academy-industry ties. To boost resilience and address regional threats, the Southern CEE must foster innovation ecosystems that support the effective deployment of research-based CBRNE technologies.

Lab scientist
Mobile laboratory

Vision

The GROUNDUP project aims to build a strong CBRNE innovation ecosystem in the Southern CEE region by connecting students, researchers, businesses, end-users, and institutions. Through targeted engagement, capacity-building, and mentoring activities, it fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange to unlock the region’s innovation potential. Led by VINS and UPB, with support from DTERM and other key partners, GROUNDUP also links the Southern CEE to more advanced innovation ecosystems across Europe, helping bridge regional gaps and create a lasting impact.

Coordination & Support Activities

Build a Resilient Business Community

  • Map the European CBRNE business landscape
  • Strengthen cooperation with R&I organisations
  • Establish a resilient, long-term ecosystem framework

Foster collaboration and build academic capacity

  • Connect the CBRNE research landscape in Southern CEE
  • Host hackathons to engage students and young innovators
  • Promote active academia-business interconnections

Boost entrepreneurship and business skills

  • Mentor young innovators to develop business concepts
  • Offer internships for high-potential students and researchers
  • Assess programme impact and showcase best practices

Expand project results through global outreach

  • Expand project results through active dissemination and communication activities
  • Foster academia-business interconnections;
  • Create a cluster of relevant EU-funded projects

Partners

Vinca Institute for Nuclear Sciences
Design Terminal
National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest
Privanova
Scorpion Networks

Apply for the GroundUp Mentoring Programme!

Have an innovative idea in the CBRNE field and want to take it further?

The GROUNDUP Mentoring Programme is looking for motivated students, researchers, and early-stage innovators ready to develop their concepts with expert support and strong international connections. The programme is designed to help participants strengthen their ideas, build business thinking, and connect with the wider European CBRNE innovation ecosystem.

Applications are open until 15 June, 2026.

Latest News

  • 9 July 2026|News|3.4 min|

    CBRNE Challenges in Europe and How the GROUNDUP Project Is Responding

    CBRNE threats are among the most complex security challenges of our time, requiring strong collaboration across science, innovation, policy, and operational practice. The GROUNDUP project strengthens the CBRNE innovation ecosystem in Southern Central and Eastern Europe by fostering cross-sector cooperation and creating the conditions for sustainable, impactful innovation.

  • 22 June 2026|News|2.3 min|

    GroundUp Mentoring Programme: Empowering the Next Generation of CBRNE Innovators

    The GROUNDUP Mentoring Programme connects young innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs with experienced mentors, helping transform promising CBRNE ideas into real-world solutions that enhance safety, security, and resilience.

  • 18 June 2026|News|2.8 min|

    Why Academia-Industry Collaboration Is the Missing Link for CBRNE Innovation in Southern CEE

    Across Southern Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), valuable CBRNE research often remains confined to the laboratory. GROUNDUP aims to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem by connecting researchers, students, businesses, innovators, and end-users to help turn ideas into real-world solutions.

  • 7 April 2026|News|4 min|

    GroundUP Hackathon in Budapest: From Ideas to Action in CBRNE Innovation

    The GroundUP Hackathon in Budapest, held on 21 March 2026, was designed as a practical innovation activity under Horizon Europe to help young innovators turn promising ideas into solution-oriented concepts for a safer society.

  • 20 November 2025|News|2.2 min|

    Boosting CBRNE Innovation in Southern CEE through Academy-Industry Collaboration: The GroundUp Story

    At GroundUp, innovation starts with people who collaborate, share, and grow together. Our brand reflects this spirit: building resilience, empowering talent, and connecting communities for a safer, more innovative Europe.

  • 25 September 2025|News|4.2 min|

    From Lab to Lives: A True Journey of CBRNE Innovation and Its Value to Society

    The GroundUp Project is building a CBRNE innovation ecosystem in Southern CEE, bridging research, industry, and young innovators to turn discoveries into real-world solutions for public safety.

  • 2 September 2025|News|3.2 min|

    GroundUp Application Packages

    The GROUNDUP Project engages 52 CEE tech providers, developing CBRNE solutions like OMNISCAN, CROWDSCAN, TRANSCAN & FARSCAN, set for EU-wide impact by 2027.

  • 18 July 2025|News|0.6 min|

    Privanova Presents GroundUp at UNODC

    The GroundUp Project was presented at the UNODC Constructive Dialogue on Technical Assistance and International Cooperation by Farhan Sahito, partner at Privanova,

Events

  • 16 April 2026|Events|1.1 min|

    Open Call: Join the GROUNDUP Mentoring Programme

    The GROUNDUP Mentoring Programme is looking for motivated students, researchers, and early-stage innovators ready to develop their concepts with expert support and strong international connections.

  • 8 December 2025|Events|2.6 min|

    GroundUp Hackathons 2026 | Hungary & Serbia

    GroundUp is organising cross-border hackathons in Hungary and Serbia, uniting researchers, first responders, students, and policymakers to develop rapid, practical solutions to today’s CBRNE challenges.

  • 29 October 2025|Events|1.9 min|

    GroundUp Showcased at LEA Projects Cluster Meeting for Cybersecurity Awareness Month

    GroundUp participated in the LEA Projects Cluster Meeting on Friday, 24 October 2025, hosted by Privanova and SafeHorizon, gathering representatives from over 45 EU-funded projects in the field of law enforcement innovation, cybersecurity, and digital resilience.

  • 30 September 2025|Events|1.2 min|

    Hands-On CBRNE Training Boosts Regional Readiness

    Advancing GROUNDUP’s mission to strengthen the Southern CEE CBRNE ecosystem, partners delivered an intensive five-day live-agent programme from 15 to 19 September 2025.