Drive the evolution of the internet towards open and interoperable Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds: building blocks in priority areas (RIA) (Virtual Worlds Partnership)

The grant opportunity titled "Drive the evolution of the internet towards open and interoperable Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds" with reference number HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-16 is part of the Horizon Europe program. It seeks to advance the development of an open, interoperable Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds ecosystem in Europe by leveraging digital commons technologies and Open Source solutions. The funding type is a grant categorized as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), specifically focused on collaborative proposals within a consortium framework.

Eligible applicants can include universities, research institutes, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, and other relevant organizations from the EU and associated countries. The call emphasizes the importance of collaborative ecosystems and encourages partnerships among a broad array of stakeholders. The geographic eligibility encompasses EU member states, associated countries, and possibly some third countries that contribute value to the project.

The target sectors for this grant include virtual worlds, web 4.0 technologies, information and communication technology (ICT), software services, cybersecurity, decentralized applications, and open standards. Projects funded under this grant aim to provide early demonstrations of a future Web 4.0 framework, incorporating essential building blocks such as identity management, software supply chain security, open hardware, and decentralized solutions.

The total budget for this specific call is set at €14.5 million, with individual project funding ranging from €1 million to €3 million. The application process follows a single-stage submission procedure, with a submission deadline of October 2, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to align their projects with strategic objectives outlined for research and innovation in the digital space.

The project duration typically spans 24 to 36 months, and while specific success rates for this call are not detailed, historical data suggests a range of 10% to 39% for similar Horizon Europe initiatives. Co-funding is generally required, especially for entities participating in consortia involving private organizations.

Overall, this grant aims to foster a transition to a more collaborative, user-centered internet through research and development in key technological areas, ultimately supporting the emergence of new business and sustainability models based on open-source principles and addressing necessary security and accessibility challenges.

The EU Funding Opportunity: Driving the Evolution of the Internet Towards Open and Interoperable Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds

This opportunity, titled "Drive the evolution of the internet towards open and interoperable Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds: building blocks in priority areas (RIA) (Virtual Worlds Partnership)" with reference number HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-16, is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically within the DIGITAL CNECT (HORIZON-CL4-2025-03) call. It aims to foster the development of an open and interoperable Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds ecosystem in Europe, leveraging digital commons technologies and Open Source solutions.

The type of action is HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions), utilizing a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement. The deadline model is single-stage. The planned opening date is 10 June 2025, and the deadline for submission is 02 October 2025, 17:00:00 Brussels time.

Expected Outcomes:

The projects funded under this topic are expected to contribute to:

An early demonstration of the future Web 4.0 architectural framework, including protocols and standards, composed of key Open Source internet building blocks in priority areas such as identity, software supply chain, open hardware, decentralized solutions, and virtual worlds.

The emergence of open and interoperable Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds supported by EU-based internet ecosystems, centered on EU values and regulatory frameworks, with high socio-economic impact through the application of digital commons technologies, Open Source solutions, and open standards in various use cases.

Supporting the transition from the current internet towards Web 4.0, where end-users have access to a more personalized and interactive experience through more collaborative, decentralized, and user-centered approaches, with special attention to security, scalability, and accessibility issues.

New business opportunities and the emergence of new business and sustainability models based on Open Source.

Scope:

The primary goal is to advance the internet's evolution towards an open and interoperable Web 4.0, enabling Virtual Worlds and ensuring a seamless user experience across platforms. This will be achieved by increasing the adoption of digital commons technologies and Open Source solutions in Europe, leveraging the European Open Source innovator community to contribute to relevant digital commons and deliver key features for virtual worlds.

The topic supports early demonstrations of Web 4.0 and its architectural framework, utilizing key building blocks with sufficient maturity and a critical mass of commons contributors, particularly within the context of the Next Generation Internet initiative.

The envisaged Web 4.0 should be powered by open and decentralized technologies, enabling interoperability between platforms and networks and providing freedom of choice for users. It should be developed through Open Source/digital commons, addressing security, scalability, and sustainability at the core of technological developments.

Applicants are required to define mechanisms for contributing to and aligning with the strategic roadmap for research and innovation and the architectural Framework, as it becomes available from the specific separate support action HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-17: Specific support for the Virtual Worlds Partnership and the Web 4.0 initiative (CSA).

Applicants should also devise appropriate mechanisms for cooperating with other projects under this action to ensure a coherent approach towards the vision of an open, interoperable Web 4.0.

At least one proposal in each of the following areas will be selected, and proposals should clearly identify the area they are addressing:

Area 1: Identity management

Proposals will support and facilitate the deployment and adoption of the EU Digital Identity Wallet, including testing, community development, and packaging of Open Source solutions for the issuance and verification of electronic attestations and the provision of eIDAS trust services. The aim is to deliver a diversity of Open Source digital solutions and services in accordance with European digital rights and principles, empowering citizens with the freedom of choice from many secure digital identity solutions aligned with EU regulations. Examples include EUDI wallets for Open Source operating systems like Linux, cloud-based wallets, laptop-based wallets, and Open Source Operating Systems for mobile devices. Furthermore, technical solutions and services for secure and anonymous digital payments and money transfers, solutions for the implementation for attestation issuers and verifiers, and eIDAS trust services with a focus on the development of Open Source stacks for issuers and relying parties, especially as/for cloud services. When relevant, proposals may address the validation of physical documents, such as IDs or other identity-related documents.

Area 2: Software Supply Chain security

This area focuses on strengthening the security of the software supply chain by leveraging related NGI building blocks and package solutions for traceability of code, collaborative trust models, detection of anomalous behavior, and construction of software bill of material. Use cases include developers and users of codes, DevSecOps teams, corporate IT, Open Source projects, industry, and parties needing compliance with the Cyber Resilience Act.

Area 3: Open Hardware

This area aims to support the uptake of Open Hardware chips and tools through prototyping, productization, and integration in real-life cases. Proposals can address re-usable tools and components such as controllers, processors, or network chips. Use cases include consumer devices for immersive virtual worlds, industry applications, consumer devices, and smart cities.

Area 4: Alternative solutions to centralized platforms

This area prioritizes nurturing and enriching credible alternatives to centralized platforms, covering the integration, testing, and operation of Open Source decentralized solutions that offer credible alternatives to users, supporting the emergence of Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds experiences. Examples include instant messaging, application stores, or productivity groupware that showcase virtual worlds interoperability, trust, resilience, and scalability. The focus should be on decentralized and federated solutions based on interoperability requirements and open standards.

Area 5: Web 4.0 demonstration for Virtual Worlds

This area focuses on Web 4.0 technologies that enable interoperability and transferability across platforms, ensuring various players can contribute to virtual worlds. It will utilize existing Open Source building blocks for ensuring trust, interoperation, interconnection, transaction (including tokens), and resource access in Virtual Worlds applications and services. Proposals will aim at integrating the various building blocks, with a special focus on interoperability, and will demonstrate seamless interactions in selected scenarios.

For all areas, proposals should innovate beyond the state-of-the-art and include development, integration, testing, deployment, uptake, and operations activities.

Proposals should encourage open access to data, standardization activities, and an IPR regime and sustainability model ensuring lasting impact and reusability of results.

The Commission suggests project durations of 24 to 36 months.

This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on Virtual Worlds.

Conditions and Documents:

The general conditions related to admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion, evaluation and award, and legal and financial setup are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, with a maximum amount of EUR 150,000 per third party. A maximum of 15% of the total requested EU contribution may be allocated to financial support to third parties, selected through open calls.

Application and Evaluation:

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including a standard application form (HE RIA, IA). Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including a standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA).

Guidance and additional documents include:

HE Programme Guide

HE Model Grant Agreements (MGA)

Call-specific instructions

Information on financial support to third parties (HE)

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes

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

Budget Overview:

The budget overview lists various topics under the HORIZON-CL4-2025-03 call, including DATA, DIGITAL EMERGING, HUMAN, and MATERIALS, specifying the type of action (RIA, CSA, IA), budget (EUR), stage (single-stage), opening date (2025-06-10), deadline (2025-10-02), contributions, and indicative number of grants. The budget for HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-16 is 14,500,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 EUR, and an indicative number of 9 grants.

Partner Search:

LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into the Portal.

Submission:

The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

Support:

The EU Funding & Tenders Portal provides various support resources, including an Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, FAQs, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers, and a Partner Search function.

In summary, this EU funding opportunity aims to drive the evolution of the internet towards a more open, interoperable, secure, and user-centric Web 4.0, particularly focusing on the development and demonstration of key Open Source building blocks for Virtual Worlds. It encourages innovation in areas such as digital identity, software supply chain security, open hardware, and decentralized platforms, with the goal of fostering a competitive and resilient digital ecosystem in Europe. The call is structured to ensure a balanced portfolio of projects, with at least one proposal selected from each of the defined priority areas. Applicants are expected to align their projects with the strategic roadmap for research and innovation and to collaborate with other funded projects to achieve a coherent vision for Web 4.0. The funding is provided through Horizon Europe's Research and Innovation Actions, with a focus on supporting activities that go beyond the state-of-the-art and contribute to the creation of new business opportunities and sustainable models based on Open Source technologies.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated but can be inferred to include a wide range of entities such as research organizations, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant organizations from the context of Horizon Europe framework. The call aims to leverage the strong and active community of European Open Source innovators, suggesting that entities involved in open source development are particularly encouraged.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe Programme. The type of MGA (Model Grant Agreement) is HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the nature of the projects and the desire for broad impact suggests that consortia are likely to be more competitive, although single applicants might be eligible. Partner search announcements are available, implying that collaborations are encouraged.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is focused on European entities, as the call aims to increase the take-up of digital commons technologies and other Open Source solutions in Europe. However, non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible under specific provisions, as detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The program targets the digital sector, specifically focusing on the evolution of the internet towards open and interoperable Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds. It encompasses areas such as identity management, software supply chain security, open hardware, alternative solutions to centralized platforms, and Web 4.0 demonstrations for Virtual Worlds. The program also touches upon ICT, software services, security/cybersecurity, and innovation.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity does not explicitly mention specific countries, but it focuses on Europe and includes non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have specific provisions for funding in Horizon Europe projects.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project for this opportunity ranges from research and development to demonstration, deployment, uptake, and operations activities. The call supports early demonstrations for Web 4.0 and its architectural framework, suggesting projects in the development and demonstration phases are particularly relevant.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific action type (RIA, CSA, IA) and topic. The budget overview provides a detailed breakdown of the funding ranges for each topic, with individual grants ranging from around EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 75,000,000.

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 grants. Additionally, beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties, with a maximum amount of EUR 150,000 per third party, and a maximum of 15% of the total EU contribution allocated to financial support for third parties.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The 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, HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-16, aims to drive the evolution of the internet towards an open and interoperable Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds ecosystem, focusing on European values and regulatory frameworks. The call seeks to fund projects that demonstrate the future Web 4.0 architectural framework using open-source building blocks in areas like identity management, software supply chain security, open hardware, and decentralized solutions. The goal is to support the transition to a more personalized, interactive, and user-centered internet, fostering new business opportunities and sustainability models based on open-source principles. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities, such as research organizations, universities, SMEs, and large enterprises, particularly those involved in open-source development. The funding is provided through grants, with project durations typically ranging from 24 to 36 months. The application process is a single-stage open call, with the submission system planned to open on June 10, 2025, and a deadline of October 2, 2025. The call encourages collaboration and provides resources for partner searches, with a budget overview detailing the funding ranges for various topics within the call. The projects should contribute to an early demonstration of the Web 4.0 framework, the emergence of open and interoperable Virtual Worlds, and support the transition to a more collaborative, decentralized, and user-centered internet, while addressing security, scalability, and accessibility issues.