Low power Edge AI Chips

The HORIZON-JU-CHIPS-2025-IA-LEAI-two-stage grant opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting innovation in low-power Edge AI chips. The application period opens in March 2025 with a two-stage submission process. The first deadline is April 29, 2025, and the second is September 17, 2025. The total budget for this call is 20 million EUR, with funding ranging from 1 million to 20 million EUR per project, aiming to support approximately two projects.

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, and research and technology organizations (RTOs). A consortium consisting of at least three independent legal entities from different countries is required to apply for the grant. The projects should develop AI chip prototypes that reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-7, meaning they should undergo development, validation, and integration of advanced technologies like neuromorphic computing and photonic connectivity.

The focus sectors are semiconductors and artificial intelligence, with applications in telecommunications (like 6G), autonomous systems, industrial automation, and healthcare. The geographical eligibility extends to entities from EU member states and associated countries, with potential for participation from non-EU countries under specific conditions.

Funding for profit organizations is capped at 70%, meaning they must provide 30% co-funding; non-profit entities may receive up to 100% funding without co-funding requirements. The application stages consist of a concept note followed by a full proposal. Although exact success rates are not specified, competition is expected to be high due to the limited number of grants available.

Overall, the grant aims to advance the development of next-generation, energy-efficient AI chips capable of supporting various applications that align with Europe’s digital transformation and sustainability goals. The successful proposals should demonstrate real-time, on-chip AI processing capabilities while balancing performance with power consumption.

The HORIZON-JU-CHIPS-2025-IA-LEAI-two-stage call, part of the Horizon Europe program, aims to foster innovation in low-power Edge AI chips. It falls under the HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions. The call employs a two-stage submission process. The planned opening date is March 4, 2025, with the first deadline on April 29, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time, and the second deadline on September 17, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The total budget allocated for this topic is 20,000,000 EUR for the year 2025. The expected contribution per project ranges from 1,000,000 to 20,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 2 grants to be awarded.

The primary goal is to develop next-generation edge AI chips that combine high performance with ultra-low power consumption. These chips should enable real-time, on-chip AI capabilities for applications in mobile communication networks (e.g. 6G), autonomous systems, industrial automation, and healthcare, all while aligning with Europe’s sustainability and digitalization goals.

Successful proposals should deliver the following outcomes:

Develop AI chip prototypes reaching Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-7. These prototypes should integrate cutting-edge technologies such as non-volatile memories, neuromorphic computing, 3D heterogeneous integration, and photonic connectivity. The prototypes should be tested under real-world conditions and demonstrate potential for industrial scaling.

Leverage advanced capabilities of state-of-the-art infrastructures with fabrication and testing capabilities available within the Union, especially at leading Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs). This includes utilizing the Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) for Edge AI hardware (PREVAIL project), a platform designed to accelerate the development of cutting-edge AI solutions, as well as Pilot Lines, including the ones of the Chips for Europe Initiative.

The prototypes should demonstrate robust AI capabilities, including real-time inference, on-device learning, and adaptive decision-making. This enables edge AI systems to process data locally, make decisions, and adapt to changing environments without relying on cloud infrastructure, reducing latency and power consumption.

The prototypes must achieve ultra-low power consumption to ensure energy-efficient AI operations in power-constrained edge environments, particularly for battery-powered devices. The emphasis should be on balancing computing power with energy efficiency.

By advancing AI chips that are energy-efficient and highly secure, the developed technologies should contribute to Europe's digital transformation and help meet sustainability goals.

Regarding the general conditions, the proposal page limit and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. Eligible countries are detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may have specific provisions for funding their participants, as described in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Other eligible conditions are also described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are outlined in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. The evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. The legal and financial setup of the grants is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including standard application forms for HE RIA, IA, CSA, RI, PCP, PPI, COFUND, FPA, MSCA DN, PF, SE, COFUND, ERC STG, COG, ADG, POC, SYG, EIC PATHFINDER CHALLENGES, EIC PATHFINDER OPEN, and EIC TRANSITION. Evaluation form templates, which will be adapted as necessary, include standard evaluation forms for HE RIA, IA, CSA, PCP PPI, COFUND, FPA, MSCA, EIC PATHFINDER CHALLENGES, EIC PATHFINDER OPEN, EIC TRANSITION, and EIC Accelerator (stage 1 and stage 2).

Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements (HE MGA, HE Unit MGA, Lump Sum MGA, Operating Grants MGA, Framework Partnership Agreement FPA), call-specific instructions, 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 the HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 (General Introduction, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Research Infrastructures, Health, Culture, creativity and inclusive society, Civil Security for Society, Digital, Industry and Space, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE), Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area, Missions, and General Annexes), the HE Programme Guide, 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, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited on the portal. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully read all provisions before preparing their application. The Online Manual serves as a guide for procedures from proposal submission to grant management. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide provides detailed guidance on the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe. The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ addresses frequently asked questions. The Research Enquiry Service can answer questions about European research. National Contact Points (NCPs) offer guidance and assistance. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) provides advice to businesses, especially SMEs. The IT Helpdesk addresses technical questions. The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on standardisation. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outline the roles and responsibilities of researchers. Partner Search helps find partner organisations.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call focuses on funding innovation actions to develop next-generation edge AI chips. The goal is to create high-performance, ultra-low power consumption chips that can be used in various applications such as 6G mobile networks, autonomous systems, industrial automation, and healthcare. The call emphasizes the use of cutting-edge technologies, the leveraging of European research infrastructures, and the achievement of specific technology readiness levels. The application process is two-staged, with deadlines in April and September 2025. A substantial budget of 20 million EUR is allocated to support approximately two projects, each receiving between 1 and 20 million EUR. The call aims to contribute to Europe's digital transformation and sustainability goals by advancing energy-efficient and secure AI technologies.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the Horizon Europe framework and the nature of Innovation Actions, eligible applicants are likely to include: Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs), universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The call encourages leveraging state-of-the-art infrastructures, suggesting that entities with relevant facilities and expertise are particularly encouraged to apply.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG], which is part of the HORIZON JU (Joint Undertaking) Innovation Actions (HORIZON-JU-IA).

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the call encourages leveraging advanced capabilities and infrastructures, including those available at leading Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and through initiatives like the Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) for Edge AI hardware (PREVAIL project) and Pilot Lines of the Chips for Europe Initiative. This implicitly suggests that a consortium approach, bringing together diverse expertise and resources, would be beneficial, although single applicants might be possible if they possess all necessary capabilities. Partner search announcements are available, which also suggests that a consortium is possible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is focused on entities within the European Union. However, the text mentions that "A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects." Therefore, while the focus is on EU entities, there is a possibility for participation from non-EU/non-Associated Countries under specific conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The target sector is Digital, Industry and Space, specifically focusing on the development of next-generation edge AI chips. This includes several sub-sectors:
* Artificial Intelligence (AI)
* Microelectronics/Semiconductors (Edge AI chips)
* Mobile Communication Networks (6G)
* Autonomous Systems
* Industrial Automation
* Healthcare
* Advanced Materials (related to chip manufacturing)
* Photonics/Optics (photonic connectivity)

Mentioned Countries: The text refers to EU countries and non-EU/non-Associated Countries. No specific countries are named. The relevant regions are the EU and potentially associated countries, as well as third countries with specific funding provisions.

Project Stage: The project stage is Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-7. This indicates that the projects should focus on developing AI chip prototypes that have already undergone some research and are now ready for demonstration in a relevant environment and potentially system prototype demonstration in an operational environment. The prototypes should be tested under real-world conditions and show potential for industrial scaling.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the topic is EUR 20,000,000. The indicative contributions range from EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 20,000,000 per project. The indicative number of grants is 2.

Application Type: The application type is a two-stage open call. There are two deadlines: one on 29 April 2025 and another on 17 September 2025.

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

Application Stages: The application process is two-stage.

Success Rates: The success rate cannot be determined from the provided text. With an indicative number of 2 grants and a large budget, the competition is expected to be high.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. As this is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action, co-funding may be required, but this would be detailed in the specific call documents and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-JU-CHIPS-2025-IA-LEAI-two-stage, aims to foster the development of next-generation edge AI chips with high performance and ultra-low power consumption. The call, with a total budget of EUR 20 million, seeks to fund projects that can deliver AI chip prototypes at TRL 6-7, integrating advanced technologies like non-volatile memories, neuromorphic computing, 3D heterogeneous integration, and photonic connectivity. These prototypes should enable real-time, on-chip AI capabilities for applications in mobile communication networks (e.g., 6G), autonomous systems, industrial automation, and healthcare, aligning with Europe’s sustainability and digitalization goals.

The call is structured as a two-stage process, with deadlines on April 29, 2025, and September 17, 2025. It falls under the HORIZON JU (Joint Undertaking) Innovation Actions (HORIZON-JU-IA) and utilizes a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] funding mechanism. While primarily targeting entities within the European Union, participation from non-EU/non-Associated Countries may be possible under specific conditions.

Successful proposals are expected to leverage state-of-the-art infrastructures, including those available at leading Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and through initiatives like the Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) for Edge AI hardware (PREVAIL project) and Pilot Lines of the Chips for Europe Initiative. The emphasis is on creating energy-efficient and highly secure AI chips that contribute to Europe's digital transformation and sustainability objectives.

Applicants should consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and other provided documents for detailed guidance on eligibility, evaluation criteria, and application procedures. Partner search announcements are available to facilitate the formation of strong consortia with diverse expertise and resources.