Reliability of age assessment methods in the context of security and border management - European Commission
This grant supports research to analyze, compare, and improve the reliability and rights-protection of existing age assessment methods for minors at EU borders and in security contexts.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: November 5, 2026
Funding Amounts: Approx. €1,330,000 total; single expected grant; lump sum; project duration typically 2–3 years.
Summary: Funds analysis and comparison of age assessment methods for minors in EU border and security contexts, emphasizing reliability, rights protection, and best practice exchange.
Key Information: Requires at least 2 Border or Coast Guard Authorities from 2 different EU/Associated Countries as beneficiaries.
Description
This grant supports a Coordination and Support Action under Horizon Europe to analyze, in collaboration with practitioners, the current and potential methods for age assessment in the context of security and border management. The focus is on evaluating and comparing the scientific reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of various age assessment methods, as well as assessing their potential risks to fundamental rights and strategies to minimize such risks. The project should not develop new methods or technologies, but rather generate evidence-based results on suitable models for age assessment that protect fundamental rights and address diverse needs. Outcomes will help expand European-based knowledge, inform better identification of minors in migratory, security, and border management contexts, and promote the exchange of best practices among European authorities, contributing to the EU Strategy on the rights of the child.
