FAIR Integration for Enhanced Research Data in the EOSC ecosystem and beyond

The European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) grant opportunity, specifically the HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-02 call, focuses on enhancing the integration of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data within the EOSC ecosystem. It is part of the Horizon Europe initiative targeting research infrastructures, aiming to improve the interoperability and collaboration of research data across Europe.

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and consortia. The type of funding is primarily through grants, with a total budget allocated for this call of €16 million; individual project grants will range between €5 million and €8 million.

Consortium participation is required, with proposals needing to collaborate with other EOSC projects and align with existing initiatives. Geographic eligibility encompasses EU member states and associated countries, underscoring the initiative's aim to integrate research infrastructures across Europe.

Targeted sectors are primarily research infrastructures and information and communication technology (ICT), while geographic scope focuses on EU and associated nations. Projects under this call should be in the development or operational phases, with expectations of maturity beyond initial research stages.

The application process is structured as a single-stage open call with a submission deadline on September 18, 2025. Nature of support is monetary, provided through grants. There is a co-funding requirement involving contributions from both EU and non-EU partners.

Success rates and detailed specifics regarding evaluation processes are not provided within the available data. The funding aims to operationalize FAIR practices, facilitate the creation of FAIR digital objects, and promote standards that enhance the quality and usability of research data.

Overall, the initiative encourages cooperation and alignment with other European data frameworks to bolster open science practices and foster cross-sector data utilization, promoting collaborative research and transparency in publicly funded research initiatives.

The EU Funding Opportunity is the HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-02 call, titled "FAIR Integration for Enhanced Research Data in the EOSC ecosystem and beyond". This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call under the Research Infrastructures 2025 program (HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01). The type of action is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and uses a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement. The call is currently open for submission with a single-stage deadline. The opening date was 06 May 2025, and the deadline for submissions is 18 September 2025 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this call include: improved findability, accessibility, interoperability, and re-usability (FAIRness) of research data and other digital research outputs; wider uptake of and compliance with FAIR data principles and practices by national and European research data and metadata providers, repositories, and databases; operationalisation of the concept of FAIR digital objects throughout the entire research data lifecycle; enhanced and mainstreamed technical specifications for FAIR digital objects to facilitate the creation of digital objects that are FAIR-by-design.

The scope of the call is centered on advancing the interoperability and integration of research data within the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), in alignment with the broader context of the Common European Data Spaces and cross-sector collaboration. FAIR digital objects provide a conceptual and implementation framework to develop scalable cross-disciplinary capabilities, deal with the increasing data volumes and their inherent complexity, build tools that help to increase trust in data, create mechanisms to efficiently operate in the domain of scientific assertions, and promote data interoperability.

Proposals should cover all of the following areas and activities:

FAIR-by-Design digital objects creation: the development of tools that enable the creation of digital objects adhering to the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles both from the “source” or as a result of an analysis.

Automated standardisation and data quality assessment: development and provision of automated tools and procedures for standardisation and data quality assessment. This will ensure that data across different domains adhere to common standards, fostering greater compatibility and enhancing overall data quality.

Operational data services specification: delivering technical specifications for operational data services that support the transformation of digital objects into FAIR entities. Such services may include the integration of AI-based tools capable of autonomously operating on data repositories, contributing to the automatic establishment of FAIR practices throughout the research ecosystem.

Interoperability and training to promote the uptake of open standards: the action should make substantial contributions to the development, upkeep and widespread adoption of open standards for metadata, formats, vocabularies, semantics and APIs. Activities should foster compatibility among digital objects across different domains, facilitating seamless data exchange and integration. Training and dissemination activities will facilitate the uptake of these standards, fostering collaboration and compatibility.

Collaboration and alignment with Common European Data Spaces: harmonisation of EOSC technical specifications with those of other Common European Data Spaces.

Interoperability demonstration and content integration: demonstrating the tangible outcomes of applying FAIR tools, standards, and specifications will showcase the achieved interoperability and integration, strengthening the case for data sharing and reuse across disciplines and sectors.

Cross-Sector data utilization: by enhancing content integration from data spaces, industry, and beyond, the reuse of science data in various sectors is to be encouraged. This will ease access to real-life data from other data spaces, fostering its utilization in research and expanding its impact.

These activities will have to be developed in accordance with standards and guidelines defined or adopted by EOSC, promoting data quality and open access practices. To ensure complementarity of outcomes, proposals are expected to cooperate and align with activities of the EOSC Partnership and to coordinate with relevant initiatives and projects contributing to the development of EOSC, including projects funded by the call topics HORIZON-INFRA-2023-EOSC-01-04 - ‘Next generation services for operational and sustainable EOSC Core Infrastructure’ and HORIZON-INFRA-2024-EOSC-01-05 - ‘Innovative and customizable services for EOSC Exchange’. In addition, cooperation is expected with project(s) funded by the call topic HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-01. Finally, proposals should build on the work delivered by the projects FAIR-IMPACT and FAIRCORE4EOSC, especially in the areas of interoperability across disciplines and sectors, as well as in the mainstreaming of creating FAIR-by-Design digital objects. This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership for the European Open Science Cloud.

General conditions for participation include:

Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

Eligible Countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries are detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Other Eligible Conditions are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are 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.

Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The extent to which the proposed work incorporates the necessary coordination efforts and resources with other relevant projects and the EOSC governance structure in the context of the EOSC Partnership will be taken into account for Impact.

Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Beneficiaries will be subject to additional access rights, including granting royalty-free access to results to the EOSC Association and providing necessary information for monitoring and developing EOSC policies. Beneficiaries must deposit digital research data in a trusted repository federated in the EOSC. These aspects are 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) details:

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including standard application forms for HE RIA, IA and HE CSA.

Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including standard evaluation forms for HE RIA, IA and HE CSA.

Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide.

Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include HE MGA, HE Unit MGA, Lump Sum MGA, Operating Grants MGA, and Framework Partnership Agreement FPA.

Call-specific instructions include a detailed budget table (HE LS), information on financial support to third parties (HE), information on clinical studies (HE), and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 3. Research Infrastructures, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. 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 the HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01 call includes various topics with different budget allocations, action types (CSA and RIA), and indicative numbers of grants. The HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-02 topic has a budget of 16,000,000 EUR with contributions ranging from 5,000,000 to 8,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

There are 8 partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic.

To start the submission process, access the Electronic Submission Service via the provided link and select the appropriate action type and model grant agreement.

For help and support, consult the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, and Partner Search tools.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call focuses on enhancing the FAIRness of research data within the European Open Science Cloud. It aims to improve the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and re-usability of research data by funding projects that develop tools, standards, and specifications for FAIR digital objects. The call encourages collaboration and alignment with other European data spaces and initiatives, and it seeks to promote cross-sector data utilization. The total budget for the HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-02 topic is 16 million EUR, and it is expected to fund approximately 2 projects. Applicants should carefully review the general conditions, specific conditions, and additional documents provided to prepare a strong and competitive proposal. The call is a single-stage process with a deadline of September 18, 2025.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The specific eligibility criteria are detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily grant-based, utilizing Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is a Horizon Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. Lump sum funding may also be used.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope and objectives of the call, particularly the need for interoperability and integration across different domains, a consortium is highly probable. Partner search announcements are available, suggesting that consortia are expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries, as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide provides information on specific provisions for non-EU/non-associated countries.

Target Sector: The program targets the research infrastructures sector, specifically focusing on the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and the broader context of Common European Data Spaces. It aims to improve the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and re-usability (FAIRness) of research data and digital research outputs. The thematic sectors include ICT, data management, cloud computing, and open science.

Mentioned Countries: The text refers to EU member states and associated countries. It also mentions non-EU/non-Associated Countries with specific funding provisions.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project for this opportunity includes development, validation, and demonstration. The call aims to operationalize FAIR digital objects and enhance technical specifications, indicating a need for projects beyond the initial research phase.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €1,000,000 to €15,000,000 for Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) and from €3,000,000 to €15,000,000 or more for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Specific funding ranges are provided for each topic in the budget overview.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants to support their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, part of the Research Infrastructures 2025 work programme, focuses on FAIR Integration for Enhanced Research Data in the EOSC ecosystem and beyond. It aims to improve the FAIRness of research data, promote the uptake of FAIR data principles, operationalize FAIR digital objects, and enhance technical specifications for these objects. The call encourages projects that develop tools for creating FAIR-by-Design digital objects, automate standardization and data quality assessment, deliver technical specifications for operational data services, promote open standards, and harmonize EOSC technical specifications with other Common European Data Spaces. Projects should demonstrate tangible outcomes of applying FAIR principles and encourage cross-sector data utilization. The call is structured around Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), with funding ranging from 1 million to 15 million EUR depending on the action type and specific topic. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, and other legal entities from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries with specific funding provisions. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of September 18, 2025.