Apply AI: Challenge-Driven AI Innovation Booster in Apply AI prioritised sectors (RIA) (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics)

The Challenge-Driven AI Innovation Booster supports significant technological progress and innovation in priority sectors as identified by the EU Apply AI Strategy. Through large-scale, multi-stage challenge competitions, the action promotes the adoption and development of advanced, trustworthy AI solutions in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and in-vehicle autonomous driving. Each supported project will organize competitions to address impactful use-cases, fostering collaboration between AI developers, SMEs, research organizations, and user-industry enterprises, contributing to the competitiveness and visibility of the European AI ecosystem.

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Agency	HORIZON (EU)
Region	EUUKother
Country	ATBEBGHRCYCZDKEEFIFRDEGRHUIEITLVLTLUMTNLPLPTROSKSIESSEISNOCAILKRNZCHGB
Legal form	Company, NGO, Government organization, Other
Start date	17 Nov 2026
End date	18 Mar 2027
Max funding	EUR 300,000 (Stage 2 per SME/team), EUR 2,250,000 (Stage 3 per SME/team), EUR 2,550,000 (total maximum per third party across all stages)
Budget	EUR 3,000,000 (Stage 2 total per proposal for all selected teams) EUR 9,000,000 (Stage 3 total per proposal for all selected teams)
Coverage	Financial support covers the development and maturation of challenge solutions by third parties; the support is provided in the form of grants and covers eligible activities as set out by the action.

Grant application conditions

Eligible Countries	Applicants must be established in an EU Member State, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, or Switzerland. Entities from additional associated countries may be eligible if listed in the official List of Participating Countries at the time of submission.
Organizational Eligibility	Participation is open to legal entities such as SMEs, research organisations, and public bodies in eligible countries. Teams led by an SME are eligible; other team members may be SMEs, research organisations, or public bodies.
Restrictions Based on Control	Entities controlled (directly or indirectly) by a non-eligible country or entity may not participate unless national guarantees are provided confirming no negative impact on the EU’s strategic assets, autonomy, or security. High-risk suppliers of mobile network equipment are excluded.
Ownership Limit	SMEs or private research organisations must not be directly majority-owned (more than 50% of the capital) by entities established in non-eligible countries.
Sector Focus	Each proposal must address one of three key sectors: healthcare, advanced manufacturing (including AI-powered robotics), or in-vehicle autonomous driving.
Support Type	Financial support to third parties must take the form of grants.
Industry Involvement	User-industry companies from the targeted sector must be core partners and actively support the challenge process.
Documentation	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-04

Eligible expenses

Evaluation criteria

Business exclusions

Reporting

Application process

Application requirements