Developing a model for a Data Lab for Science linking with EOSC and RAISE (RAISE pilot) (CSA)

HORIZON-RAISE is a forthcoming Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (lump sum) under the AI in Science call to develop a model for a Data Lab for Science linking with the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and the RAISE pilot, including governance, services, interoperability and sustainability arrangements. The call is single-stage with a planned opening on 13 October 2026 and a submission deadline of 2 February 2027 (17:00 Brussels time), with an indicative topic contribution of around €1,000,000 for one grant. Eligible applicants are legal entities from Horizon-eligible countries forming a consortium as required by the Horizon Europe General Annexes and the specific topic conditions, and proposals should be structured around deliverables, work packages and lump-sum acceptance criteria.

Call and action type

AI in Science (HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-04) — HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (Lump Sum)

Call and Administrative Snapshot

What this topic funds

This Horizon-RAISE-2027-01-04 CSA topic targets a Coordination and Support Action to develop a model for a Data Lab for Science that links with the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and the RAISE initiative (Resource for AI Science in Europe) as a RAISE pilot. The action is expected to: design a practical, operational model for a Data Lab for Science; define governance, services, technical and organisational components; ensure interoperability with EOSC services and RAISE assets; pilot the model; and provide recommendations and a roadmap for deployment and sustainability across the European Research Area (ERA).

Budget, financial modality and grant setup

Eligibility and Applicants

Eligible participants are legal entities established in Horizon-eligible countries as defined in Annex B of the Horizon Europe General Annexes (EU Member States, Horizon-associated countries and eligible third countries as specified). The topic is a CSA and can be implemented by a single beneficiary or a consortium depending on the topic requirements and the applicant’s capacity to deliver. The call description and General Annexes specify country eligibility and participation rules; some non-associated third countries may participate under exceptional funding conditions described in the Work Programme Guide. National public bodies, universities, research performing organisations, research infrastructures, SMEs, non-profits, NGOs and international organisations may participate subject to the general eligibility rules and specific topic conditions.

Evaluation, award criteria and scoring

Submission, deadlines and process

Lump-sum funding, costs and reporting

This topic uses lump-sum funding. Eligible costs are defined in the Work Programme General Annexes and the topic text; the lump sum will be paid according to milestones and deliverables accepted by the Commission. Although costs are not reported as actual incurred costs, beneficiaries must keep records and supporting documents described in the MGA and General Annexes and must deliver the planned outputs and reports. A proportion of the payment may be retained as Mutual Insurance Mechanism contribution where applicable or be subject to pre-financing distribution restrictions and reporting. Lump-sum projects are evaluated and may receive reviewer comments including recommendations for lump-sum budget adjustments if justified.

Consortium and project design recommendations

For a CSA developing a model Data Lab for Science linking EOSC and RAISE, the Commission expects a well-structured consortium including organisations with expertise in: data infrastructure and interoperability (EOSC-aligned), AI and high-performance computing for science (RAISE-relevant), domain science communities, data stewardship and FAIR data, legal and policy expertise for data governance and research security, and practical implementation partners able to pilot the Data Lab model (research infrastructures, universities, national data nodes). A robust project plan should include co-design with user communities, a pilot deployment, assessment of sustainability and financing models, and a clear exploitation and uptake plan.

Evaluation forms, templates and guidance

The evaluation will use the HE CSA standard evaluation form (available in Reference Documents). Specific adaptations for lump sums and for RAISE/EOSC alignment will be used where appropriate. Applicants should consult the Online Manual, the HE Programme Guide, the Lump Sum MGA, and the annotated Model Grant Agreement to prepare compliant proposals and budgets.

Risk, ethics, security and legal considerations

Proposals must address ethical issues, data protection (GDPR compliance), intellectual property management, and research security (including risk of technology leakage or dependencies). Where AI systems are involved, applicants must consider ethical AI principles, robustness and explainability as relevant and applicable. Classified information or security-restricted materials must be handled per the MGA Article on confidentiality and security. Proposals must declare any involvement of human participants and follow appropriate ethics procedures and approvals. Actions addressing global partners should justify the participation and funding of third-country partners under the Work Programme rules.

Evaluation and award timetable (indicative)

Application templates and structure guidance

Use the Part A administrative form and Part B technical form in the Submission System. Follow Part B structure, including sections on excellence, impact, implementation (work packages, deliverables, milestones), consortium description, resources and detailed lump-sum budget justification per topic rules. For CSAs the Part B template describes the page limits and layout. Use the Reference Documents area for examples and the Lump Sum Decision guidance.

Footnotes

1. 1Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme and guidance on lump sums for actions: ec.europa.eu

This is a forthcoming Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action under the AI in Science call, with a single stage deadline on 2 February 2027 and an indicative budget of around €1,000,000 for one grant. The call is designed as a lump sum action.

What the funding is about

The topic sits within the RAISE pilot, which the work programme presents as part of a €100 million package of five topics intended to accelerate interdisciplinary breakthroughs at the intersection of AI and scientific discovery, with the option for additional support from foundations or other philanthropic actors2. For this CSA, the work programme expects a model for a Data Lab for Science that identifies, consolidates and orchestrates existing data, services and relevant outputs from EOSC related projects, demonstrates use cases in coordination with the EOSC Federation and relevant EuroHPC Federation developments, and designs governance and financing arrangements that can sustain the Data Lab beyond the project lifetime2. The programme also asks the project to identify researchers needs and gaps in data services across scientific disciplines2.

Who can apply

Eligibility follows the Horizon Europe general annexes and the specific topic conditions. In practical terms, applicants should expect a consortium of eligible legal entities from Horizon Europe eligible countries, with non EU or non associated participants generally subject to the general Horizon Europe rules for third country participation; where allowed, such partners may participate as associated partners, and exceptional funding is only available when their participation is essential for the project.

Financial overview

Because this is a lump sum CSA, applicants should structure the proposal around deliverables, work packages and completion of agreed activities rather than around actual cost reimbursement rates. The topic page does not indicate a separate funding rate percentage.

Key conditions and evaluation

What applicants should emphasize

Applicant takeaways

This opportunity is best suited to consortia with strong expertise in research data infrastructures, scientific service orchestration, community engagement, and sustainable governance models. Proposals should read less like a research experiment and more like a strategic coordination and design exercise that turns EOSC and RAISE ambitions into an actionable, reusable model for a Data Lab for Science.