COSMIC 1st Open Call: AI & Data Solutions to Boost the Green Transition

The COSMIC 1st Open Call is part of a broader initiative funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research program. It aims to support the Green Deal objectives by leveraging artificial intelligence and big data for large-scale energy resource optimization. The grant opportunity specifically targets small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including startups and non-profit legal entities, located in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Each selected entity can receive up to €150,000 as a fixed sum, with funding covering up to 70% of eligible costs for SMEs and startups, while non-profits may receive full funding.

The program encourages applications focused on creating AI and data-driven solutions that enhance energy efficiency and resource optimization. Solutions may be validated in large-scale pilots across six specific countries: Spain, Belgium, Portugal, France, Ireland, and Finland. The application process is structured in five stages, including eligibility checks and evaluations, leading up to a final pitch to a jury. The total funding available for this call is €3 million, and the application deadline is set for August 27, 2025.

Selected projects will undergo a comprehensive 10-month support program that includes mentoring and business scaling, facilitating the transition from proof of concept to implementation. The initiative focuses on addressing challenges such as carbon footprint integration, community engagement, waste classification, and smart energy management, with an emphasis on scalability and measurable impact.

In summary, this opportunity represents a significant chance for SMEs to receive funding and support for developing innovative AI and data solutions that align with environmental sustainability goals while gaining access to resources and testing environments in several European countries.

The COSMIC 1st Open Call focuses on AI and Data Solutions to Boost the Green Transition. This open call is part of the broader COSMIC project, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101189676. The COSMIC project aims to support the Green Deal objectives by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and big data for large-scale energy resource optimization. It involves a diverse consortium of large industries, research institutions, public authorities, NGOs, and SMEs working together to co-develop impactful and scalable digital solutions that address key sustainability challenges.

Through two Open Calls, COSMIC intends to select a maximum of 27 SMEs to co-develop AI-powered services and technologies aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and resource optimization. The 1st Open Call specifically targets up to 20 SMEs, including start-ups, that are working on AI- and data-driven innovations aligned with COSMIC’s mission. Selected participants will be enrolled in a 10-month support programme that includes mentoring, solution development, pilot site integration, and business scaling support.

Each selected SME may receive up to €150,000 as a fixed lump sum.

Funding conditions specify that SMEs and start-ups can receive reimbursement of up to 70% of their eligible costs, while non-profit legal entities may be funded up to 100% of their eligible costs. Beneficiaries will have the opportunity to collaborate with COSMIC’s Core Technical Facilitators (CTFs), receiving technological support to integrate their AI- and data-driven solutions. These solutions may be validated within COSMIC’s large-scale pilots across six European countries: Spain, Belgium, Portugal, France, Ireland, and Finland. Selected proposals will be supported for real-world testing in industrial or urban environments.

Each selected entity is expected to develop a solution addressing one of the specific challenges outlined in the COSMIC Technical Guidelines. These challenges include, but are not limited to, carbon footprint integration, community engagement, waste classification, and smart energy management.

Participation is open to individual SMEs (including startups) from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Proposals must be AI- and data-centric, with clear potential for scalability, integration into COSMIC’s infrastructure, and measurable environmental and social impact.

The opening date for the call was August 18, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is August 27, 2025, at 16:00 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is the 10-month support programme, which is divided into four stages:

Stage 1: Individual Mentoring Plan & Proof of Concept
Stage 2: Innovative Solution Development
Stage 3: Solution Testing and Validation
Stage 4: Business Support

The total funding available for this call is €3,000,000.00. The project acronym is COSMIC, and the full name of the EU-funded project is "Combined AI and Data Solutions for Large Scale Resource Optimization with Green Deal Impact." The grant agreement number is 101189676. The topic is HORIZON-CL4-2024-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-04 - Industrial leadership in AI, Data and Robotics boosting competitiveness and the green transition (AI Data and Robotics Partnership) (IA).

The selection process involves five steps:

Step one: An initial check to verify whether the applications meet the basic eligibility requirements.
Step two: The COSMIC Selection Committee will assess whether the proposal aligns with the project’s scope and European dimension, using a Yes/No approach.
Step three: Independent evaluators will assess the proposals based on the defined evaluation criteria.
Step four: The Selection Committee will review the evaluation results and select participants for the Jury Day, considering both rankings and strategic alignment with COSMIC.
Step five: Shortlisted applicants will pitch their projects to the COSMIC Jury. Final funding decisions will be made based on impact, team quality, and alignment with COSMIC goals.

Selected beneficiaries will undergo a final eligibility check and sign the Sub-grant Agreement before joining the programme.

Applicants can submit a proposal through the website: https://hub.getonepass.eu/opportunities/c/cosmic-1st-open-call-for-ai-data-solutions-to-boost-the-green-transition. Further information can be found on the project website at https://cosmic-horizon.eu/, or by contacting the helpdesk at helpdesk.cosmic@fundingbox.com.

In summary, the COSMIC 1st Open Call is an opportunity for SMEs and start-ups in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries to receive funding and support for developing AI and data-driven solutions that contribute to the Green Deal objectives. The call provides a 10-month support programme, access to Core Technical Facilitators, and potential validation through large-scale pilots in several European countries. The focus is on solutions that address challenges related to energy efficiency, resource optimization, and sustainability, such as carbon footprint integration, community engagement, waste classification, and smart energy management. The call aims to foster innovation and scalability in the application of AI and data technologies for environmental and social impact.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are SMEs, including startups, and non-profit legal entities. Participation is open to individual SMEs (including startups) from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically cascade funding. Each selected SME may receive up to €150,000 as a fixed lump sum. SMEs and start-ups can receive reimbursement of up to 70% of their eligible costs, while non-profit legal entities may be funded up to 100% of their eligible costs.

Consortium Requirement: A single applicant is required. The call is open to individual SMEs.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Target Sector: The program targets the following sectors: artificial intelligence (AI), big data, energy, environment, and green transition. Specifically, it focuses on AI and data-driven innovations for energy efficiency and resource optimization. The topic is HORIZON-CL4-2024-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-04 - Industrial leadership in AI, Data and Robotics boosting competitiveness and the green transition (AI Data and Robotics Partnership).

Mentioned Countries: Spain, Belgium, Portugal, France, Ireland, and Finland are explicitly mentioned as countries where solutions may be validated within COSMIC’s large-scale pilots. EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are also mentioned as eligible regions.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is development, validation, and demonstration. The 10-month support program includes stages for Proof of Concept, Innovative Solution Development, and Solution Testing and Validation.

Funding Amount: The funding range is up to €150,000 per SME as a fixed lump sum. The total funding available for the call is €3,000,000.00.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive both money (grants up to €150,000) and non-monetary services. The non-monetary services include a 10-month support program with mentoring, solution development, pilot site integration, and business scaling support. Beneficiaries will also have the opportunity to collaborate with COSMIC’s Core Technical Facilitators (CTFs) for technological support.

Application Stages: There are five stages in the application process:
Step one: An initial check will verify whether the applications meet the basic eligibility requirements.
Step two: The COSMIC Selection Committee will assess whether the proposal aligns with the project’s scope and European dimension, using a Yes/No approach.
Step three: Independent evaluators will assess the proposals based on the defined evaluation criteria.
Step four: The Selection Committee will review the evaluation results and select participants for the Jury Day, considering both rankings and strategic alignment with COSMIC.
Step five: Shortlisted applicants will pitch their projects to the COSMIC Jury. Final funding decisions will be made based on impact, team quality, and alignment with COSMIC goals.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the call aims to select a maximum of 20 SMEs out of all applicants.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding may be required, as SMEs and start-ups can receive reimbursement of up to 70% of their eligible costs, implying they need to cover the remaining 30%. Non-profit legal entities may be funded up to 100% of their eligible costs, implying no co-funding is required from them.

Summary:

The COSMIC 1st Open Call is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, designed to support the Green Deal objectives by leveraging artificial intelligence and big data for energy resource optimization. The call aims to select up to 20 SMEs, including startups, from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, to co-develop AI-powered services and technologies that enhance energy efficiency and resource optimization. Each selected SME can receive up to €150,000 as a fixed lump sum, with funding covering up to 70% of eligible costs for SMEs and startups and up to 100% for non-profit legal entities. The selected SMEs will participate in a 10-month support program that includes mentoring, solution development, pilot site integration, and business scaling support. They will also have the opportunity to collaborate with COSMIC’s Core Technical Facilitators (CTFs) and validate their solutions in large-scale pilots across six European countries: Spain, Belgium, Portugal, France, Ireland, and Finland. The application process involves five stages, including eligibility checks, alignment assessment, independent evaluation, selection for a Jury Day, and a final pitch to the COSMIC Jury. The call focuses on AI- and data-centric proposals with clear potential for scalability, integration into COSMIC’s infrastructure, and measurable environmental and social impact. Specific challenges to be addressed include carbon footprint integration, community engagement, waste classification, and smart energy management. The opening date for the call is August 18, 2025, and the deadline is August 27, 2025, at 16:00 Brussels time. The total funding available for this call is €3,000,000.00.