Leveraging artificial intelligence for creativity-driven innovation

The grant opportunity titled "Leveraging artificial intelligence for creativity-driven innovation" is part of the Horizon Europe Cluster 2 program, focusing on the integration of AI into cultural and creative sectors. This initiative seeks to address ethical and diversity considerations while fostering innovation in these fields.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), cultural organizations, and other stakeholders in the creative industries with expertise in AI and cultural heritage. The funding type is a grant known as a "HORIZON Lump Sum Grant."

A consortium is typically required for participation, as Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) generally involve partnerships. Geographic eligibility extends to EU member states, EEA countries, and Horizon Europe-associated third countries. Target sectors include cultural heritage, creative industries (such as arts and design), and artificial intelligence, notably human-centered and generative AI, emphasizing ethics and intellectual property rights.

There are no specific countries mentioned; however, eligibility aligns with EU and associated countries. The project aims at the research and development stage, with the grants ranging from €4 million to €5 million per project, supporting a total budget allocation of approximately €15 million for this particular topic.

The application process is a single-stage open call with a submission deadline on September 16, 2025. Projects are expected to tackle challenges related to human-AI collaboration in creative processes and the implications of AI in artistic endeavors. The success rates for these grants are estimated to be between 10% and 39%, reflecting the competitive nature of Horizon Europe. Co-funding is not required.

In summary, this grant opportunity supports interdisciplinary research and innovation involving AI in cultural and creative sectors, aimed at ensuring that AI tools are developed with human-centric and culturally sensitive considerations while encouraging collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

This is a summary of several Horizon Europe funding opportunities under the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society pillar, specifically for the year 2025. These opportunities are divided into three main categories: Democracy, Heritage, and Transformation, each with its own set of Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). All opportunities are single-stage, meaning there is only one submission deadline. The opening date for submissions is May 15, 2025, and the deadline is September 16, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. Funding is provided as a lump sum.

The Democracy category includes twelve topics (HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-01 through -12). Most of these topics are Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 10,500,000 EUR each, and an indicative contribution of 3,000,000 to 3,500,000 EUR, expected to fund three projects each. There are also Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) with a budget of 3,000,000 or 3,500,000 EUR each, expected to fund one project each.

The Heritage category includes seven topics (HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-03 through -09). One topic, HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-03, is an Innovation Action (IA) with a budget of 26,000,000 EUR, an indicative contribution of 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, and is expected to fund eight projects. The remaining topics are Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with budgets ranging from 2,000,000 to 15,000,000 EUR and indicative contributions ranging from 2,500,000 to 5,000,000 EUR, expected to fund one to three projects each.

The Transformation category includes eleven topics (HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-01 through -11). Most of these topics are Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 10,200,000 EUR each, and an indicative contribution of around 3,400,000 EUR, expected to fund three projects each. One topic, HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-08, is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) with a budget of 15,000,000 EUR, an indicative contribution of 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR, and is expected to fund three projects. One topic, HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-11, is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) with a budget of 2,000,000 EUR, an indicative contribution of around 2,000,000 EUR, and is expected to fund one project.

A key focus of these funding opportunities is the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI). Projects are expected to explore the impact of AI on CCI, develop evidence-based policy recommendations, promote human-centric AI applications, and address intellectual property rights. Proposals should involve representatives from the CCI and build on existing knowledge and networks.

The general conditions for these calls include admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout, eligible countries, and financial and operational capacity. The evaluation and award process follows the standard Horizon Europe procedures. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Applicants are encouraged to consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and the various helpdesks and contact points provided for guidance and support. Partner search tools are also available to help applicants find suitable collaborators.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to leverage artificial intelligence for creativity-driven innovation within the cultural and creative sectors. It seeks to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in these industries, foster a mutually beneficial relationship between AI and CCI, and promote a culture- and creativity-driven European innovation ecosystem. The call is structured around three main categories: Democracy, Heritage, and Transformation, each offering a range of funding opportunities for research and innovation actions as well as coordination and support actions. The goal is to support projects that contribute to policy recommendations, innovative tools, and collaborative platforms that enhance creativity, protect cultural diversity, and promote ethical and human-centric AI applications within the CCI.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the context, they include entities from Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI), research institutions (including SSH disciplines), educational institutions, industry, and other stakeholders. The focus is on entities capable of contributing to research and innovation actions, as well as coordination and support actions. SMEs are specifically mentioned as a significant part of the CCI.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, supporting HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA). There are also HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA).

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a consortium is mandatory, but it is heavily implied. The call encourages interaction among artists, creatives, AI specialists, cultural institutions, and creative businesses, suggesting that a consortium approach is preferred to ensure a multidisciplinary approach. The partner search announcements further support the idea of collaborative projects.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility appears to be focused on EU and associated countries, as indicated by the reference to Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. However, the mention of "non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding" suggests that there may be specific provisions for participants from other countries under certain conditions.

Target Sector: The primary target sectors are the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This includes a wide array of industries relying on cultural and creative inputs such as: architecture, archives and libraries, artistic crafts, audiovisual (including film, television, software and video games, and multimedia and recorded music), cultural heritage, design, creativity-driven high-end industries and fashion, festivals, live music, performing arts, books and publishing (newspapers and magazines), radio and visual arts, and advertising. The program aims to foster innovation at the intersection of technology, arts, culture, and society.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the European Union and associated countries. There is also a mention of "non-EU/non-Associated Countries," indicating that some third countries might be eligible under specific conditions.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the type of action. Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) suggest projects in the research, development, and validation stages. Innovation Actions (IA) imply projects in the demonstration and commercialization stages. Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) focus on networking, knowledge sharing, and developing strategic recommendations, which can support projects at various stages.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary widely depending on the specific topic and type of action:
HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA): typically EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 3,500,000
HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA): typically EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000
HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA): EUR 2,500,000 to EUR 4,000,000, with some projects reaching EUR 26,000,000 in total budget.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage open call, as indicated by "single-stage" and "Open For Submission."

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, under the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society pillar, aims to leverage artificial intelligence for creativity-driven innovation within the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI). The call seeks to address the transformative impact of AI on the CCI, fostering a European innovation ecosystem that balances technological advancement with cultural diversity, ethical considerations, and the protection of creators' rights. The call encompasses various actions, including research and innovation actions, innovation actions, and coordination and support actions, with funding ranging from EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000 (and up to EUR 26,000,000 for some Innovation Actions). Eligible applicants include a wide range of stakeholders from the CCI, research, education, and industry sectors, primarily from the EU and associated countries, with potential exceptions for specific third countries. The application process involves a single-stage submission, with eligible costs covered as a lump sum grant. The call emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and the integration of artistic and humanistic perspectives into AI development to ensure that AI tools are human-centric, unbiased, and culturally sensitive.