Supporting the AI/ML digital transition of Copernicus Services

The grant opportunity titled "Supporting the AI/ML digital transition of Copernicus Services" is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically under Cluster 4 which focuses on Digital, Industry, and Space. The objective of this grant is to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into the Copernicus Services, which are related to Earth observation.

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and public-private partnerships that are involved in AI/ML and Earth observation activities. Collaboration with Entrusted Entities like Copernicus services is encouraged, highlighting the importance of partnerships in this initiative.

The funding type is characterized as a Horizon Lump Sum Grant, indicating a monetary contribution toward project activities rather than reimbursement for expenses. A consortium is required for this grant, suggesting that collaborative proposals are necessary. Geographic eligibility primarily includes EU member states along with associated countries, although some limited international collaboration opportunities exist.

The target sectors encompass AI, space, security, and climate resilience, aiming to improve the quality and efficiency of Copernicus data and services. Although specific countries are not mandated, Ukraine and Japan are noted in the context of relevant discussions.

The project stage pertains to the validation and demonstration of AI/ML technologies, indicating that funded proposals should focus on transitioning these innovations into operational workflows. Expected funding amounts vary by project but typically range from €1 million to €5 million, with specifics adjusting depending on project details.

The application process involves a single-stage submission, with a deadline set for September 25, 2025. Success rates for grants under Horizon Europe usually range between 10% to 39%. Co-funding is typically not required for lump-sum grants, allowing for full funding of eligible project costs.

In summary, the grant aims to boost the integration of AI and ML within the Copernicus framework to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. It seeks proposals that demonstrate collaborative efforts across sectors to achieve innovative solutions in Earth observation while aligning with EU digital and environmental policies.

The EU Funding and Tenders Portal presents a Horizon Europe call, SPACE-HADEA (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02), focused on supporting the AI/ML digital transition of Copernicus Services. This call encompasses various topics with different types of actions, budgets, and indicative numbers of grants. The general call information includes:

Programme: Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
Call: SPACE-HADEA (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02)
Type of Action: HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) and HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Actions) and HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions)
Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]
Submission Model: Single-stage
Opening Date: 22 May 2025
Deadline Date: 25 September 2025, 17:00:00 Brussels time

The call aims to integrate AI and ML strategies across Copernicus Services, value chains, and workflows to improve the quality, timeliness, reliability, and resilience of Copernicus data, products, and applications. It also seeks to enhance user experience through interactivity and on-demand capabilities, promote knowledge exchange, and improve the AI-readiness of Copernicus data.

The scope of the call includes several areas of Research and Innovation:

AI-supported retrieval algorithms for passive and active sensing in Copernicus missions.
Fast and reliable identification of clouds and shadows in optical sensing.
Multi-source multi-target AI models for automatic segmentation.
Physics parameterization and optimization to increase the fidelity of numerical models.
Fault and outlier detection in production and delivery workflows.
Automated pre-processing and QA/QC of observations and data.
Data fusion techniques for added-value products.
Data compression and mining methods for efficient navigation of big data.
Hybrid observation operator, ensemble data assimilation techniques, error calibration, and uncertainty quantification.
Analysis-driven Earth system deep learning models, including Digital Twin Earth models.
Observation-only-driven forecasting for time-critical service elements.
Exploration of large pre-trained foundation models and transfer learning for Earth system modelling.
Downscaling and super-resolution applications using Copernicus data.
Adaptive workflow optimizations.
Enhanced interactive interfaces for on-demand product and service generation.
Chatbots for user support across Copernicus services.

Applicants are expected to address as many of these areas as possible in their proposals. The call encourages game-changing approaches towards next-generation Earth system analysis and prediction systems, integrated AI/ML strategies, and cooperation with Entrusted Entities. Explainable, trustworthy, open-source, and responsible use of AI approaches are of particular interest, along with benchmarking approaches to quantify the impact of AI/ML methods. Collaboration with EuroGEO and projects funded under HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-09 is also encouraged.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate by providing access to relevant models, tools, and datasets, offering insights into existing operational workflows, and testing new developments in a pre-operational setting. The integration of the gender dimension in research and innovation content should be addressed where relevant.

General conditions for participation include:

Admissibility: Compliance with proposal page limits and layout as described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Application Form.
Eligible Countries: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Other Eligibility Conditions: Restrictions for the protection of European communication networks apply. Projects using satellite data must utilize Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.
Financial and Operational Capacity and Exclusion: As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation and Award: The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project per topic. Award criteria are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex F and the Online Manual.
Legal and Financial Set-up: Eligible costs will be reimbursed as a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

The application process involves using templates available in the Submission System, and applicants should consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual for detailed guidance.

The budget overview for the call includes various topics:

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-11: Coordination and Support Actions, EUR 1,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-12: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 3,000,000, indicative 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-13: Innovation Actions, EUR 7,000,000, indicative 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-21: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 18,000,000, indicative 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-22: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 17,500,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-23: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 12,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-24: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 5,000,000, indicative 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-31: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 6,000,000, indicative 3 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-32: Innovation Actions, EUR 11,000,000, indicative 3 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-41: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 10,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-42: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 3,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-43: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 3,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-44: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 5,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-45: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 12,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-46: Innovation Actions, EUR 5,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-71: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 5,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-72: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 8,000,000, indicative 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-73: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 1,000,000, indicative 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-74: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 6,000,000, indicative 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-81: Research and Innovation Actions, EUR 500,000, indicative 1 grant

The call is designed to leverage AI and ML to enhance the Copernicus program, improving data processing, service delivery, and user experience. It encourages applicants to form consortia and address multiple areas of research and innovation to maximize the impact of their projects. The funding mechanism is based on lump sums, and successful projects are expected to contribute to the broader digital transition of Copernicus services.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call is a significant opportunity for research and innovation projects focused on integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into the Copernicus program. It aims to modernize and improve the efficiency, quality, and accessibility of Earth observation data and services, fostering a more proactive and digitally advanced Copernicus ecosystem. The call is structured to support a range of activities, from coordination and support actions to research and innovation actions and innovation actions, with varying budget allocations and expected outcomes. Applicants should carefully review the call conditions and scope to align their proposals with the EU's strategic objectives for the digital transformation of Copernicus.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe calls, they typically include: universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding. 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.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) under the Horizon Europe Programme. The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity appears to require a consortium, as the Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding and there are partner search announcements.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially certain non-EU/non-associated countries, as specified in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The target sector is digital, industry, and space, focusing on the digital transition of the Copernicus program through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Specific areas include Earth system modelling, data processing, and user experience enhancement.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are explicitly mentioned, but the opportunity is open to EU member states, associated countries, and potentially certain non-EU/non-associated countries.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project ranges from research to innovation, including development, validation, and potentially demonstration, depending on whether it is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) or an Innovation Action (IA).

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-11: €1,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-12: €1,000,000 to €3,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-13: €4,000,000 to €7,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-21: €6,000,000 to €12,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-22: €12,000,000 to €17,500,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-23: €10,000,000 to €12,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-24: €2,000,000 to €3,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-31: €1,000,000 to €5,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-32: €2,000,000 to €6,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-41: around €10,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-42: around €3,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-43: around €3,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-44: around €5,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-45: around €12,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-46: around €5,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-71: €4,500,000 to €5,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-72: €3,500,000 to €4,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-73: €800,000 to €1,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-74: €2,500,000 to €3,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-81: €450,000 to €500,000

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive funding in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but Horizon Europe calls typically have success rates between 10% and 39%.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly mentioned, but Horizon Europe actions typically fund 100% of the eligible costs in the form of a lump sum.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call (SPACE-HADEA (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02)) aims to foster the digital transition of the Copernicus program by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. The call seeks to improve the quality, timeliness, reliability, and user experience of Copernicus services, data, products, and applications. It encourages projects that develop innovative AI/ML solutions for various aspects of Earth system modelling, data processing, and service delivery. The call is structured around different types of actions, including Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), each with specific funding ranges and objectives. Consortia of various eligible entities, including universities, research institutes, SMEs, and large enterprises, are expected to submit proposals. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) can participate in the consortia. The call is open to entities from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially certain non-EU/non-associated countries. The application process involves a single-stage submission, and funding is provided as a lump sum grant.