O-CEI 1st OPEN CALL FOR UPSCALING PROJECTS

The O-CEI 1st Open Call for Upscaling Projects is a funding initiative under the EU Horizon Europe program aiming to enhance the uptake of innovative Cloud-Edge-IoT solutions. This call has a total budget of €2,400,000 and will fund individual projects with grants of up to €100,000 each for up to 24 selected entities. The call opens on September 18, 2025, and the application deadline is November 19, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. It is a single-stage application process with a 100% funding rate, meaning no co-funding is required.

The program targets a diverse range of organizations including startups, SMEs, academic institutions, and technology companies involved in the development of Cloud-Edge-IoT technologies. Eligible applicants are expected to be based in EU Member States or associated countries, with a strong emphasis on participants from a variety of sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture, and sustainability.

Projects should be at the development to demonstration stage, ready for scaling or market validation. The application process involves five evaluation stages, including initial checks, scope assessments, independent evaluations, and ethical reviews. The overall success rate for selected projects is estimated to be between 10% to 39%, depending on the number of applications received.

Beyond financial support, beneficiaries will also participate in a structured 7-month support program consisting of three stages: individual mentoring and inception planning, development of Cloud-Edge-IoT utilities, and testing and deployment. This initiative aligns with the overarching goals of the O-CEI project to strengthen Europe's competitiveness in key technological areas and foster the development of interoperable digital solutions across various sectors.

Interested parties must complete applications through an online platform specifically designed for this call. For further details on eligibility and the application process, applicants are advised to consult the 'Guide for Applicants' available on the project website.

The O-CEI 1st Open Call for Upscaling Projects is an EU funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program. The call aims to support the uptake of the Open CloudEdgeIoT Platform in large-scale cross-domain pilots.

Key details of the call are as follows:

Opening date: 19 September 2025
Deadline date: 19 November 2025, 17:00 (Brussels time)
Deadline model: Single-stage
Expected duration of participation: 7-month Support Programme, divided into 3 stages:
Stage 1: ‘Individual mentoring Plan and Inception’
Stage 2: ‘Development of CEI utilities’
Stage 3: ‘Release and Testing’
Total funding available: EUR 2,400,000.00
Project acronym: O-CEI
Full name of the EU funded project: Open CloudEdgeIoT Platform Uptake in Large Scale Cross-Domain Pilots
Grant agreement number: 101189589
Topic: HORIZON-CL4-2024-DATA-01-03 - Piloting emerging Smart IoT Platforms and decentralized intelligence (IA)
Financial support: A fixed lump sum of up to EUR 100,000 per project will be granted to up to 24 selected entities.
Funding rate: 100% of the budget included in the application form.

The submission process is through an application form available at: https://opportunities.getonepass.eu/applications/686b9c817bcf244135cad203/start

The selection process consists of five steps:

Step 1: Initial check of the applications.
Step 2: In/Out Scope Screening by a ‘Selection Committee’ to assess the proposal according to the criteria.
Step 3: Independent evaluators assess the proposal according to the criteria (two evaluators per proposal).
Step 4: The ‘Selection Committee’ decides on the ‘Provisional List of FSTP recipients’ and ‘Reserve List’.
Step 5: Ethical aspects check and formal check of the pre-selected beneficiaries.

Further information can be found in the ‘Guide for Applicants’.

Relevant websites and contact information:

OC website: https://opportunities.getonepass.eu/applications/686b9c817bcf244135cad203/start
OC complaints email: support@o-cei.eu
Project website: https://o-cei.eu/

In summary, the O-CEI 1st Open Call provides funding for projects that aim to upscale and pilot the Open CloudEdgeIoT Platform across various domains. The call is part of the Horizon Europe program and specifically targets the HORIZON-CL4-2024-DATA-01-03 topic, focusing on piloting emerging Smart IoT Platforms and decentralized intelligence. Successful applicants will receive up to EUR 100,000 to participate in a 7-month support program involving mentoring, development of CEI utilities, and testing. The selection process involves multiple stages of evaluation, including scope screening, independent evaluation, and ethical review. The call aims to foster the adoption of the O-CEI platform and advance the development of smart IoT solutions.

Eligible Applicant Types: The information provided does not explicitly state the eligible applicant types. Further review of the 'Guide for Applicants' would be necessary to determine the specific eligibility criteria.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically cascade funding, with a fixed lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. Further review of the 'Guide for Applicants' would be necessary to determine if a consortium is required.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The information provided does not explicitly state the geographic eligibility for applicants. Further review of the 'Guide for Applicants' would be necessary to determine the geographic eligibility.

Target Sector: The program targets the Smart IoT Platforms and decentralized intelligence sector, as indicated by the topic "HORIZON-CL4-2024-DATA-01-03 - Piloting emerging Smart IoT Platforms and decentralized intelligence (IA)". It also involves Cloud, Edge, and IoT technologies.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The opportunity is funded by the EU, so it is likely that EU member states are eligible.

Project Stage: The call is for "upscaling projects," suggesting that the projects should be at least at the development or validation stage, and potentially ready for demonstration or commercialization. The support program includes stages for 'Development of CEI utilities' and 'Release and Testing', implying projects should be ready for these activities.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is a fixed lump sum of up to EUR 100,000 per project. A total of EUR 2,400,000 is available, intended for up to 24 selected entities.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with submission through an application form available at a provided URL.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant. They will also receive non-monetary services through a 7-month support program including individual mentoring.

Application Stages: Applicants have to pass through a five-step process: initial check, in/out scope screening by a selection committee, assessment by independent evaluators, decision by the selection committee on a provisional list and reserve list, and finally an ethical and formal check of pre-selected beneficiaries.

Success Rates: The success rate cannot be determined from the provided information. The total funding available and the maximum number of projects to be funded are mentioned, but the expected number of applications is not.

Co-funding Requirement: The funding rate is 100% of the budget included in the application form, suggesting that co-funding is not required.

Summary:

The O-CEI 1st Open Call is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the piloting of emerging Smart IoT Platforms and decentralized intelligence. The call aims to support upscaling projects in the Cloud, Edge, and IoT domains. The selected projects will receive a fixed lump sum of up to EUR 100,000, with a total of EUR 2,400,000 available for up to 24 projects. The application process involves five stages, including initial checks, scope screening, independent evaluation, selection committee review, and ethical/formal checks. The selected projects will also participate in a 7-month support program, which includes mentoring, development of CEI utilities, and testing. The application deadline is November 19, 2025. The funding rate is 100%, implying no co-funding is required. Applicants should consult the 'Guide for Applicants' for detailed eligibility criteria and application guidelines. The project aims to foster the uptake of Open CloudEdgeIoT Platforms in large-scale cross-domain pilots.