Apply AI: AI-Driven Robotics for Industry: Enabling System Integration and Adoption (IA) (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics)

This summary provides a detailed overview of the upcoming EU funding opportunity titled "AI-Driven Robotics for Industry: Enabling System Integration and Adoption," under the Horizon Europe program, specifically focusing on the identifier HORIZON-CL4. The opportunity has a budget of €18 million and is set to open for submissions on November 17, 2026, with a deadline of March 18, 2027. Eligible applicant types include a broad range of entities such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), larger manufacturers, technology providers, research organizations, and system integrators. This highlights a collaborative approach among various stakeholders, especially aiming to bridge the gap between technology developers and end-users. The funding type is categorized as a grant under Horizon Europe’s Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA). It emphasizes programmatic support for design and implementation rather than basic research. While a single grant of €18 million is allocated, it is expected that this will support a consortium comprising multiple applicants. Geographically, participation is limited to legal entities from EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, and associated countries including Canada, Israel, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This strategy ensures alignment with EU strategic interests. The target sector focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics, industrial automation, and digital manufacturing technologies, highlighting innovations relevant for practical industrial applications and emphasizing system integration and technology adoption. The project aims to deliver practical, validated frameworks through real-world pilots. Emphasis is placed on creating interoperable integration frameworks, ready-to-use modules, and guidelines for efficient AI deployment within diverse industrial environments. The project focuses on validation beyond theoretical frameworks and seeks contributions to open standards to enhance interoperability. The application process follows a single-stage submission, which simplifies the proposal development phase. Proposals should comprehensively address all evaluation criteria in one submission rather than undergoing multiple stages of evaluation. Though exact success rates are not stated, they are anticipated to be quite competitive, potentially falling within the range of 5% to 15%, given the significant interest and funding allocated. Co-funding is not explicitly required, and the grant mechanism typically covers up to 100% of eligible costs. However, voluntary contributions from partners may enhance proposals and demonstrate commitment. Summarizing the goals, the funding initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of AI-driven robotics by ensuring the solutions developed are practical, modular, and adaptable for various industries. This aligns with broader EU objectives for innovation, competitiveness, and green technology adoption. The project encourages collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to addressing industry challenges in robotics implementation.

This EU funding opportunity focuses on AI-Driven Robotics for Industry, specifically enabling system integration and adoption through Innovation Actions (IA) under the Horizon Europe program, DIGITAL (HORIZON-CL4-2027-04). It is a co-programmed European Partnership on AI, data, and robotics (ADRA). The main goal is to accelerate the transition from research to real-world deployment of AI-powered robotics by delivering common frameworks and reusable components applicable across various sectors and use cases. This will strengthen Europe's capacity to scale up AI-driven robotics. Expected outcomes include: Wider and faster deployment of robotics, bridging the gap between technology providers and end-users. Development and implementation of modular and interoperable integration frameworks and solutions, including standardized protocols for data, training and safety testing, evaluation and validation of robotic solutions in key use cases Improved competitiveness of European industries, notably SMEs via the development of advanced robotics systems, intelligent planning and control systems, user feedback rendering techniques and cutting-edge AI innovations The scope of the project involves addressing the current European gap in system integration capabilities for robotics solutions across various industrial needs. It aims to disseminate a deep understanding of state-of-the-art robotics components (hardware and software) and expertise in addressing interoperability issues to upskill system integrators. Key aspects to consider: Maximizing impact and adaptability through appropriate tools for integration, AI design, training, and inference methodologies. Ensuring scalability, transferability, transparency, robustness, flexibility, and real-world applicability in diverse industrial environments. Adapting to the latest technological developments. Promoting energy-efficient AI models and hardware ('Green AI') and carbon-aware deployment strategies. Contributing to open and widely recognized standards for interoperability. Enhancing safety and performance using high-fidelity simulation environments or digital twins. Ensuring a smooth transfer from simulation to real-world deployment. The project is expected to deliver: A deployable, modular integration framework, validated through at least three real-world industrial pilots covering different reference scenarios to demonstrate adaptability to varied industrial needs and company sizes (SMEs and larger manufacturers). This framework should include a common software layer, standard interfaces for connecting to existing workflow and legacy systems, the ability to connect various robot components, coordinate multiple robots, link them with AI tools and IoT environments, tested configuration templates, and clear guidelines for safe and efficient use. An Integration Kit, building on this framework, offering ready-to-use modules, example configurations, and practical tools to help system integrators and companies set up, test, and run AI-enabled robotics solutions more quickly and with reduced technical effort. Where relevant, high-fidelity digital twin testbeds linked to each pilot, allowing safe and realistic testing and training before deployment, and supporting a smooth transition from virtual models to actual production lines. Reusable datasets (compliant with relevant regulation and IP protection) and practical benchmark tasks, made available to the wider robotics and AI community, to support further development and comparison of new solutions while respecting European data protection rules. A clear Step-by-Step Adoption Guide aimed at SMEs and other end-users, providing easy-to-follow instructions, practical checklists, and examples to help companies plan, budget, and implement AI-driven robotics in a safe and cost-effective way, even with limited in-house expertise, including guidance to navigate regulatory compliance and certification. Concrete contributions to relevant open standards and clear guidance on certification pathways, to help ensure compliance with European regulations and build trust in the safe use of AI in robotics. Projects are expected to utilize existing robotics resources and assets from the AI-on-Demand Platform, such as the EuroCORE repository, to maximize synergies and avoid duplication. All proposals are expected to allocate tasks for cohesion activities with ADRA. General conditions include: Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout (described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form). Eligible Countries (described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes). Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Iceland and Norway and the following additional associated countries: Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Other Eligible Conditions: Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may face restrictions. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion (described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes). Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds (described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes). Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes (described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual). Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement (described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes). Legal and financial set-up of the grants (described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes). Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme. Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates are available in the Submission System (Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)). Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations (Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide. Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the HE MGA. Call-specific instructions include the Ownership Control Declaration Annex (new template to be added in January 2026). Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement The budget overview for 2027 includes several topics: HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-03 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget €35,000,000, indicative number of grants 2. HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-08 - HORIZON-IA: Budget €38,000,000, indicative number of grants 2. HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-09 - HORIZON-IA: Budget €39,000,000, indicative number of grants 3. HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-04 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget €42,000,000, indicative number of grants 3. HORIZON-CL4 - HORIZON-IA: Budget €18,000,000, indicative number of grants 1. HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-06 - HORIZON-IA: Budget €3,000,000, indicative number of grants 2. HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-10 - HORIZON-CSA: Budget €4,000,000, indicative number of grants 1. HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-11 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget €44,000,000, indicative number of grants 1. HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-01 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget €39,000,000, indicative number of grants 8. HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-02 - HORIZON-CSA: Budget €3,000,000, indicative number of grants 1. HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-07 - HORIZON-CSA: Budget €7,000,000, indicative number of grants 1. The opening date is planned for 17 November 2026, and the deadline for submission is 18 March 2027. This opportunity aims to bridge the gap between AI-driven robotics research and its practical application in industries, particularly SMEs. It seeks to create deployable, modular integration frameworks and tools that can be easily adopted, tested, and scaled, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of European industries and fostering trust in the safe and efficient use of AI in robotics. The emphasis on standardization, interoperability, and real-world validation through industrial pilots makes this a comprehensive initiative to accelerate the deployment of AI-powered robotics across Europe.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is primarily targeted towards legal entities, including SMEs, larger manufacturers, technology providers, and end-users. The call aims to bridge the gap between these entities, suggesting that a consortium approach involving different types of organizations is encouraged. Research organizations and system integrators are also implied as potential applicants. Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) under the Horizon Europe program. These actions are budget-based grants. Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on bridging the gap between technology providers and end-users, the need for industrial pilots, and the involvement of SMEs and larger manufacturers strongly suggests that a consortium of multiple applicants is preferred, if not required. The partner search announcements further support this. Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Iceland, and Norway, as well as the following associated countries: Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Entities from third countries that may become associated with Horizon Europe during 2026 and 2027 may also be eligible if their country is identified as eligible at the time of application. There are also restrictions on entities controlled by non-eligible countries. Target Sector: The primary target sector is AI-driven robotics, with a focus on enabling system integration and adoption in various industries. This includes the digital, industry, and space sectors, as well as areas related to data, emerging digital technologies, and human-centric approaches. Specific areas of focus include AI, data, robotics, manufacturing, and system integration. Mentioned Countries: Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, EU Member States. Project Stage: The project stage is primarily focused on innovation actions, which implies a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5-7, encompassing technology validation in an industrial environment. The call also involves research and innovation actions, and coordination and support actions, suggesting a range of project stages from development to demonstration and validation. Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €3,000,000 to €44,000,000. The indicative number of grants for each topic also varies. For example, HORIZON-CL4 has a budget of €18,000,000 and an indicative number of 1 grant, while HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-01 has a budget of €39,000,000 and an indicative number of 8 grants with contributions ranging from €4,800,000 to €5,600,000. Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process. Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to support their projects. Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage. Success Rates: Success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential success rate. Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. Summary: This Horizon Europe call, under the DIGITAL program, focuses on "Apply AI: AI-Driven Robotics for Industry: Enabling System Integration and Adoption." It aims to accelerate the deployment of AI-powered robotics across various sectors by addressing the European gap in system integration capabilities. The call encourages projects that deliver common frameworks, reusable building blocks, and modular integration frameworks to improve the competitiveness of European industries, especially SMEs. Eligible applicants include legal entities from EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, and associated countries like Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The funding is provided through Horizon Innovation Actions (IA), Horizon Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Horizon Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), with budgets ranging from €3,000,000 to €44,000,000 per topic. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a planned opening date of November 17, 2026, and a deadline of March 18, 2027. Projects should contribute to wider robotics deployment, interoperable integration frameworks, and improved industrial competitiveness, with a strong emphasis on AI, data, robotics, and system integration. The call also encourages the use of digital twins, reusable datasets, and the development of adoption guides for SMEs.