Apply AI: Next-Generation Agile and Intelligent Robotics Platforms for Industrial and Service Applications (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics) (RIA...

The Horizon Europe opportunity titled HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03 focuses on the development of next-generation agile and intelligent robotics platforms for both industrial and service applications under the Apply AI strategy. This initiative encourages collaboration among various eligible applicants, including research institutions, universities, companies, and public-private partnerships, primarily from EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The funding type is structured as a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (RIA) grant, with a total budget of €25 million for this specific topic. The expected funding per project ranges from €12 million to €13 million, with two projects anticipated to receive support.

This opportunity emphasizes consortium-based applications, which must include diverse participants such as AI developers, industrial players, and end-users to ensure strong collaborative frameworks. The expected outcomes aim to validate robotic systems through real-world applications, focusing on advancing robot design techniques, materials, and control architectures.

The application window opens on January 15, 2026, and closes on April 15, 2026, with a single-stage evaluation process for proposal submissions. The assessment will evaluate admissibility, eligibility, financial capacity, and quality against various criteria. It is anticipated to be a competitive process, with a lower success rate due to limited funding allocation and high demand.

Overall, this call aims to enhance the competitiveness of European industries by fostering innovation in robotics and AI technologies while integrating them into existing workflows efficiently and safely.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call, specifically DIGITAL (HORIZON-CL4-2026-05), for HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions. The topic is titled "Apply AI: Next-Generation Agile and Intelligent Robotics Platforms for Industrial and Service Applications (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics) (RIA)". The type of Model Grant Agreement is HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. It is a forthcoming call with a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 15 January 2026, and the deadline date is 15 April 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome of this call is to contribute to the Apply AI Strategy by developing next-generation robotic platforms. The project results should lead to: Novel robot design techniques, materials, and control techniques for flexible and meticulous manipulation of robots in unstructured environments, with high autonomy and in collaboration with humans. A new generation of flexible and safe robot systems validated in key application sectors defined in the Apply AI strategy, developed with a human-centric approach.

The scope of this call includes: Developing agile, cost-effective, intelligent, and modular robot platforms for dynamic real-world environments that can interact safely and effectively with humans across diverse industrial and service applications. Ensuring solutions address industrial demands for high speed, precision, and reliability, enabling deployment in real-time, high-performance operational contexts. Seamlessly integrating robotic systems into existing industrial and service workflows to enhance productivity and operational flexibility. Improving platform performance by exploiting new design methods, including non-rigid structures and advanced materials (e.g., composite materials), innovative actuation, and sensing approaches. Targeting robotic systems addressing high-impact needs in strategic industrial and service sectors, focusing on enhanced mobility, autonomy, and simplified control architectures. Integrating advanced sensors (e.g., touch, proximity, vision) to enable reliable human-robot interaction, especially in rare or unpredictable safety-critical scenarios. Designing secure and efficient communication protocols to ensure interoperability between robotic systems and digital frameworks or multi-agent environments. Encouraging collaboration with end-users and industry partners to validate the practical applicability and impact of the proposed robotic solutions. Demonstrating clear pathways to scalability and commercial deployment, engaging with industry partners and end-users for validation, and adopting a safety-product approach. Encouraging coordination with HORIZON-CL4-2025-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-05, focused on soft robotics. Implementing the co-programmed European Partnership on AI, data, and robotics (ADRA) and allocating tasks for cohesion activities with ADRA.

The general conditions for this call 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, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Other Eligible Conditions: Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may participate under specific guarantees. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is 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.

The documents required for this call include: Application form templates available in the Submission System (Standard application form HE RIA, IA). Evaluation form templates (Standard evaluation form HE RIA, IA). Guidance: HE Programme Guide. Model Grant Agreements (MGA): HE MGA. Call-specific instructions: Ownership Control Declaration Annex (new template will be provided in January 2026). Additional documents: 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, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, 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, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview for this call includes three topics: HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02: Budget of EUR 38,000,000, single-stage, opening on 2026-01-15, deadline on 2026-04-15, with an indicative contribution of around EUR 19,000,000 and 2 indicative number of grants. HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03: Budget of EUR 25,000,000, single-stage, opening on 2026-01-15, deadline on 2026-04-15, with an indicative contribution of EUR 12,000,000 to EUR 13,000,000 and 2 indicative number of grants. HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-MAT-PROD-25: Budget of EUR 22,500,000, single-stage, opening on 2026-01-15, deadline on 2026-04-15, with an indicative contribution of around EUR 7,500,000 and 3 indicative number of grants.

There are 5 partner search announcements available. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header. There are no topic Q&As found.

For support, applicants are encouraged to read all provisions, consult the Online Manual and Horizon Europe Programme Guide, check the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, use the Research Enquiry Service, contact National Contact Points (NCPs) or the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), and use the IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, and ETSI Research Helpdesk. Applicants can also consult the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment and use the Partner Search tool.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to foster the development and adoption of next-generation AI-powered robotic platforms for industrial and service applications. It seeks to create agile, cost-effective, and intelligent robots that can safely interact with humans, seamlessly integrate into existing workflows, and address strategic industrial needs. The call encourages collaboration, scalability, and commercial deployment, aligning with the EU's Apply AI Strategy and the co-programmed European Partnership on AI, data, and robotics (ADRA). Eligible entities from Member States, Iceland, Norway, and associated countries are invited to submit proposals that contribute to the expected outcomes and adhere to the specified conditions and guidelines.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are legal entities established in Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, entities from third countries that may become associated with Horizon Europe during 2026 and 2027 may be eligible if their country is identified as eligible at the time of application submission. However, entities controlled by non-eligible countries or entities may face restrictions unless they can demonstrate their participation would not negatively impact the Union's strategic interests.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (RIA) under the Horizon Europe program. The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the encouragement of collaboration with end-users and industry partners, along with the partner search announcements, suggests that a consortium is preferred, though a single applicant might be possible if they fulfill all requirements.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Third countries that may become associated with Horizon Europe during 2026 and 2027 may also be eligible if identified as such at the time of application.

Target Sector: The target sector is digital, specifically focusing on AI-powered robotics. It also touches upon industry and space, targeting strategic industrial and service sectors. The program aims to develop next-generation agile and intelligent robotics platforms for various industrial and service applications.

Mentioned Countries: Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, EU Member States.

Project Stage: The project stage is research and innovation actions, implying a focus on development, validation, and demonstration of new technologies and solutions in AI and robotics. The projects are expected to demonstrate clear pathways to scalability and commercial deployment, suggesting a stage leaning towards demonstration and potentially early commercialization.

Funding Amount: The budget for the HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03 topic is EUR 25,000,000. The indicative contribution per grant ranges from EUR 12,000,000 to EUR 13,000,000. For HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02, the budget is EUR 38,000,000 with an indicative contribution of around EUR 19,000,000 per grant. For HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-MAT-PROD-25, the budget is EUR 22,500,000 with an indicative contribution of around EUR 7,500,000 per grant.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage call, meaning applicants submit a full proposal at once.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to fund their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage, where a full proposal is submitted for evaluation.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants provides some context. For HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03, with a budget of EUR 25,000,000, two grants are expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02, with a budget of EUR 38,000,000, two grants are expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-MAT-PROD-25, with a budget of EUR 22,500,000, three grants are expected.

Co-funding Requirement: The need for co-funding is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, under the DIGITAL (HORIZON-CL4-2026-05) call, aims to foster the development and adoption of AI-powered robotics platforms for industrial and service applications. It falls under the Apply AI Strategy, seeking to accelerate the transition from research to deployment through acceleration pipelines and common building blocks. The call targets 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 mechanism is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (RIA) grant, with a single-stage application process. Projects should focus on creating agile, cost-effective, intelligent, and modular robot platforms capable of safe and effective human interaction in dynamic real-world environments. Emphasis is placed on addressing industrial demands for speed, precision, and reliability, and seamless integration into existing workflows. The call encourages collaboration with end-users and industry partners to validate the practical applicability and commercial potential of proposed solutions. The total budget for HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03 is EUR 25,000,000, with individual grants expected to range from EUR 12,000,000 to EUR 13,000,000, with two grants expected. The total budget for HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02 is EUR 38,000,000, with individual grants expected to be around EUR 19,000,000, with two grants expected. The total budget for HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-MAT-PROD-25 is EUR 22,500,000, with individual grants expected to be around EUR 7,500,000, with three grants expected.