Innovation Schemes Second Call for Proposals (oc1-2025-TIS-01)

The ENFIELD Innovation Scheme Open Call, designated as oc1-2025-TIS-01, is part of the Horizon Europe program, targeting the advancement of AI technologies in key industrial sectors including energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and space. The primary goal is to address specific scientific and technological challenges, thereby enhancing EU competitiveness. Eligible applicants include private-for-profit companies such as startups, SMEs, large enterprises, and research centers located in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The project can be submitted by either a single entity or a group of at least two legal entities. Applications are open from April 17, 2025, with a submission deadline of June 17, 2025, at 13:00 Brussels time. The total funding for the call is €1.1 million, aimed at funding approximately 10 projects with grants capped at €60,000 per project. For private-for-profit organizations, the funding covers up to 70% of eligible project costs. Grants will be disbursed in two installments: 50% upon grant signature and the remainder upon achieving specified project outcomes. Projects must focus on Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) from 3 to 6, meaning they should be at the research to validation stages. The application process is a single-stage model requiring online submission through an application form, where a budget overview must also be included. Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria such as innovation beyond the current state of the art, the soundness of the technical approach, effectiveness of dissemination plans, and the capacities of the project team. Each submission will be scored between 0 and 5 on these criteria, needing to reach specific thresholds for consideration. Moreover, entities tied or linked to the ENFIELD consortium are not eligible to apply. This call represents a significant opportunity for entities focused on applied research to secure funding for projects that integrate AI technology and enhance the operational capacities within the targeted sectors.

The ENFIELD Innovation Scheme Open Call, identified as oc1-2025-TIS-01, is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, specifically linked to the topic HORIZON-CL4 - European Network of AI Excellence Centres: Expanding the European AI lighthouse (RIA). The call aims to attract research and industry partners to conduct applied research addressing scientific and technological challenges within the industrial domains of energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and space. The goal is to contribute to the ENFIELD network and promote the adoption of AI technologies to enhance EU competitiveness.

The opening date for submissions is April 17, 2025, and the deadline for submission is June 17, 2025, at 13:00 (Brussels time). The call employs a single-stage submission model. The expected duration of participation is a maximum of six months, with the project execution timeframe spanning from August 2025 to June 2026.

The total funding available for this call is 1,100,000.00 €. The project acronym is ENFIELD, and the full name of the EU-funded project is ENFIELD: European Lighthouse to Manifest Trustworthy and Green AI. The grant agreement number is 101120657.

Eligible beneficiaries include private-for-profit companies (including start-ups, SMEs, and large companies) and research centers (legal entities) established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. A beneficiary is qualified as an SME as defined in the EU recommendation 2003/361. The ENFIELD Innovation Scheme Open Call will fund projects implemented by one legal entity or groups of a minimum of two legal entities that are eligible under Horizon Europe rules. Applicants can submit multiple applications, but only one can be funded within the open call. Entities that are partners or linked-third parties in the ENFIELD consortium or formally linked to them are not eligible.

The application process is detailed in the Guide for Applicants available at enfield-project.eu. Proposals must be submitted via the Application Form online at ec.europa.eu. Applicants must complete all mandatory questions in the Application Form and include a Budget Overview, using the template available at enfield-project.eu. Late submissions are not permitted.

The proposal evaluation process involves an initial eligibility check. Eligible proposals will be evaluated remotely by one senior expert from ENFIELD partners industry organizations and two external senior experts. Proposals will be scored based on the following criteria:

1. Advanced state of the art:The extent to which the proposal is beyond the state-of-the-art and presents an innovative approach (e.g., novel concepts and approaches) linked to the industrial use cases in energy, healthcare, manufacturing, or space.

2. Soundness of the technical approach:Credibility of the proposed methodology for the implementation of the project.

3. Dissemination and communication:Effectiveness of the proposed measures to exploit and disseminate the project results, including methods (publications, presentations, workshops, and/or webinars) and targeted audiences.

4. Technical, creative, and business capacities:i) Demonstration of competences and skills of the project team and its capacity to carry out the activities of the proposal; ii) Quality and effectiveness of the resources assigned to the proposal; iii) Track-record of the team in similar projects. In case of a consortium application, complementarity of partners.

Each criterion will be scored between 0 and 5, with a threshold of 3 for each criterion and an overall score threshold of 12.

ENFIELD has allocated a total budget of 1,100,000 € to fund the participation of at least 18 beneficiaries in Innovation Schemes. This second call is expected to select 10 beneficiaries. The consortium reserves the right to not award all available funds or to redistribute them between the open calls planned within the project, depending on the applications received and the results of the evaluation. Successful applicants will receive a grant that cannot surpass 60,000 €. For private-for-profit organizations, the grant will be calculated as 70% of the eligible cost. The grant will be paid in two installments: 50% upon grant signature and 50% upon achievement of expected outcomes/deliverables.

The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of activities to be implemented should be between TRL3 and TRL6.

In summary, the ENFIELD Innovation Scheme Open Call is a funding opportunity for research and industry partners to conduct applied research in AI-related projects within the energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and space sectors. The call aims to foster innovation, create a network of collaborators, and boost the adoption of AI technologies to enhance the EU's competitive edge. Eligible entities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply for grants up to 60,000 € to implement projects with a duration of up to six months, focusing on advancing technologies from TRL3 to TRL6. The evaluation process considers the innovativeness, technical soundness, dissemination plan, and the team's capabilities.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are private-for-profit companies (including start-ups, SMEs, and large companies) and research centers (legal entities). All applicants must be established in an eligible country. A beneficiary is qualified as an SME as defined in the EU recommendation 2003/361. Applications will not be accepted from entities who are partners (beneficiaries) or linked-third parties in the ENFIELD consortium members or who are formally linked in any way to the partners/linked-third parties of the consortium.

Funding Type:The primary financial mechanism is a grant. Successful applicants will receive a grant that cannot surpass €60,000. For private-for-profit organizations, the grant will be calculated as 70% of the eligible cost and paid as a lump sum. The grant will be paid in two installments: 50% upon grant signature and 50% upon achievement of expected outcomes/deliverables.

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity allows for both single applicants (one legal entity) and consortia (groups of a minimum of 2 legal entities). All entities must be eligible under Horizon Europe rules.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility is limited to entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries only.

Target Sector:The program targets the industrial domains of energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and space. It aims to address specific scientific/technological challenges within these sectors, contributing to the adoption of AI technologies.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are mentioned, but the eligible region is EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Project Stage:The expected Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of activities to be implemented is between TRL3 and TRL6.

Funding Amount:The funding range is up to €60,000 per project. A total budget of €1,100,000 is allocated for funding at least 18 beneficiaries in Innovation Schemes.

Application Type:The application type is an open call. Proposals must be submitted by completing the Application Form online.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant.

Application Stages:The application process appears to be single-stage, with an initial eligibility verification followed by a remote evaluation by experts.

Success Rates:The call is expected to select 10 beneficiaries out of at least 18 funded in total by ENFIELD. The success rate is therefore likely to be below 10 to 39%.

Co-funding Requirement:For private-for-profit organizations, the grant covers 70% of the eligible cost, implying a co-funding requirement of 30% from the applicant.

Summary:

The ENFIELD Innovation Scheme Open Call (oc1-2025-TIS-01) is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, aimed at attracting research and industry partners to conduct applied research in the fields of energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and space. The goal is to address specific scientific and technological challenges and promote the adoption of AI technologies to enhance EU competitiveness. The call is open to private-for-profit companies (including startups, SMEs, and large companies) and research centers established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Projects must fall between TRL3 and TRL6.

Applicants can apply as a single legal entity or as a consortium of at least two legal entities. The maximum grant amount is €60,000 per project, with private-for-profit organizations receiving 70% of their eligible costs as a lump sum. The total budget for this call is €1,100,000, and it is expected to fund approximately 10 beneficiaries. The project duration is limited to a maximum of six months, with the project execution timeframe between August 2025 and June 2026.

The application process involves completing an online application form and providing a budget overview. Proposals will be evaluated based on their advanced state of the art, soundness of the technical approach, dissemination and communication plans, and the technical, creative, and business capacities of the project team. The deadline for submissions is June 17, 2025, at 13:00 Brussels time. This call represents an opportunity for organizations to secure funding for innovative projects that contribute to the ENFIELD network and the broader adoption of AI in key industrial sectors.