Thematic Networks of Excellence for AI in Science – Agriculture and Environmental Pollution (RAISE pilot)

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-02 aims to establish thematic Networks of Excellence for AI in science, especially focusing on agriculture and environmental pollution. This initiative encourages collaboration among leading European research labs with strong experience in applying AI within scientific research. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, and organizations that showcase expertise in AI solutions for scientific purposes, with at least half of the consortium members required to have a proven track record in this field.

The funding type is a grant under Horizon Europe, specifically styled as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA). The total budget allocated for this call is €12.8 million, with expectations to fund one project. The application process is single-stage, with a submission window opening on January 6, 2026, and a deadline set for April 21, 2026.

The geographic scope for beneficiaries includes EU Member States and associated countries, promoting a wide participation to foster excellence across Europe. The initiative also allows for financial support to third parties, enabling partnerships that can enhance the research capabilities and share complementary expertise. Each third party can receive up to €60,000 in funding.

Proposals must outline a strategic research agenda that addresses key scientific challenges using AI in the selected thematic areas. Collaborative research is emphasized, alongside the need for synergies with ongoing Horizon Europe projects focused on AI, particularly in foundation models.

The unique aspect of this program is its focus on interdisciplinary approaches, potentially incorporating insights from social sciences and humanities to achieve project goals. It aims to create a robust network that not only addresses immediate scientific challenges but also facilitates knowledge transfer and industry collaboration, reinforcing the European community's position in AI-driven scientific discovery.

Overall, HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-02 presents a highly competitive opportunity for advanced research collaboration using AI, with the expectation of significant contributions to agricultural and environmental pollution sciences.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically under the AI in Science (HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01) call, focusing on establishing Thematic Networks of Excellence for AI in Science, with a pilot in Agriculture and Environmental Pollution (RAISE pilot). The action type is HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions), utilizing a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement. The deadline model is single-stage, with a planned opening date of January 6, 2026, and a deadline of April 21, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of the projects funded under this call are: scientific progress through the application of AI to strategic scientific challenges in agricultural sciences and environmental pollution sciences; the creation of a pilot network of excellent labs in these thematic areas, functioning as a virtual institute across Europe as part of the Resource for AI Science in Europe (RAISE); the establishment of a cooperation model among these labs to support the development of a strategic research agenda for AI in scientific research within the selected domains; reinforcement of the European AI in science community, attracting talent and spreading excellence; and the development of synergies with the “Science for AI” RAISE pilot call.

The scope of the call is to establish a network of leading European research labs with experience in applying AI to the research process, particularly in agricultural sciences and environmental pollution sciences (Cluster 6). At least half of the consortium members should have a proven track record of developing innovative AI solutions for scientific research. Consortia are encouraged to include expertise from Social Sciences and Humanities.

The consortium's activities should include: proposing an ambitious strategic research agenda for the field, identifying key scientific grand challenges addressable with AI; conducting collaborative research to solve these challenges with explicit targets and milestones; working closely with central RAISE governance and other RAISE networks of excellence to share data, research results, expertise, and infrastructure; developing talent and knowledge exchange schemes, such as fellowships, mobility schemes, summer schools, and matchmaking events, including partnering schemes with institutes outside the network; identifying, expanding, curating, integrating, sharing, and making available relevant datasets and AI models, and developing community-driven standards and benchmarks for AI models; and developing collaborations with industry for the uptake of scientific outcomes and AI-based research methodologies.

Financial support to third parties (FSTP) is required to spread excellence and seek complementary expertise across Europe. The FSTP should bring complementary data, expertise, AI models, etc. The consortium must set up an open and objective selection process, with a maximum of EUR 60,000 per third party. The core consortium’s activities should represent at least 85% of the proposed budget. FSTP recipients must be established in a Member State or an Associated Country, and their activities should be integrated into separate work packages.

Proposals should develop synergies with running Horizon Europe projects in the same field, particularly those on AI foundation models in agricultural sciences and environmental pollution sciences funded under topic HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-DIGITAL-61: AI Foundation models in science (GenAI4EU).

General conditions for admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion, evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, indicative timeline, and legal and financial setup are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (A, B, C, D, F, G) and the Online Manual. Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, up to EUR 60,000 per third party.

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including a standard application form (HE RIA, IA). Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including a standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, HE MGA, and call-specific instructions, including information on financial support to third parties and clinical studies.

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 14. Horizontal Activities, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, 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.

There are two specific topics under this call: HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-01 with a budget of EUR 15,000,000 and HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-02 with a budget of EUR 12,800,000. Both are single-stage actions with an opening date of January 6, 2026, and a deadline of April 21, 2026. Each topic anticipates funding one project.

The Funding & Tenders Portal provides resources such as an Online Manual, FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers, and a Partner Search tool.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to establish networks of excellent European labs to advance AI research in agricultural sciences and environmental pollution sciences. It requires consortia with strong AI expertise, a strategic research agenda, collaborative research activities, knowledge exchange programs, and the development of community-driven standards. Financial support to third parties is a key component, and proposals must align with existing Horizon Europe projects. The call provides funding opportunities for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with budgets of EUR 15 million and EUR 12.8 million, respectively, with a single-stage submission process and a deadline in April 2026.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are leading European research labs. The selected consortium will be composed of leading European research labs in the thematic area with strong experience in applying AI in the research process. At least half the members of the consortium should have a proven track record of developing innovative AI solutions for scientific research. Consortia are welcome to involve expertise in Social Sciences and Humanities in their proposal as they see fit to achieve the objectives.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] under HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions). Beneficiaries may also provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required. The selected consortium will be composed of leading European research labs.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. FSTP recipients should be established in a Member State or an Associated Country. 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.

Target Sector: The target sectors are agricultural sciences, environmental pollution sciences, and artificial intelligence (AI). The network of excellence will be dedicated to the application of AI to scientific research in agricultural sciences and environmental pollution sciences (Cluster 6). Expertise in Social Sciences and Humanities is also welcome.

Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, Associated Countries, and non-EU/non-Associated Countries (with specific provisions).

Project Stage: The project stage is research and innovation actions, aiming to establish a network of excellent labs and develop a strategic research agenda.

Funding Amount: The budget for HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-01 is EUR 15,000,000, and for HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-02 is EUR 12,800,000. The financial support to third parties (FSTP) has a maximum of EUR 60,000 per third party.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant. They may also provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, with a maximum of EUR 60,000 per third party.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The indicative number of grants is 1 for each topic.

Co-funding Requirement: The core consortium’s activities should represent a minimum of 85% of the proposed budget.

This opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically the AI in Science (HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01) call. It aims to establish thematic networks of excellence for AI in science, focusing on agriculture and environmental pollution (RAISE pilot). The goal is to create a network of leading European research labs that will collaborate on applying AI to solve strategic scientific challenges in these areas. The selected consortia will develop a strategic research agenda, conduct collaborative research, share data and expertise, develop talent exchange programs, and collaborate with industry for the uptake of scientific outcomes. The funding is provided through Horizon Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), with a budget of EUR 15,000,000 for topic HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-01 and EUR 12,800,000 for topic HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-02. The application process is single-stage, with a deadline of April 21, 2026. Consortia can also provide financial support to third parties, up to EUR 60,000 per third party, to spread excellence and seek complementary expertise. The initiative seeks to pilot RAISE, aligning research efforts and reinforcing the European AI in science community.