Challenge-Driven GenAI4EU Booster in Apply AI prioritised sectors (RIA) (AI/Data/Robotics Partnership)

Development, validation and demonstration of GenAI solutions targeted to one of the three key sectors.

Participation in competition stages, including technical development, testing, and business exploitation planning.

Relevant personnel, materials, research services, dissemination and communication, and support for collaboration and best-practice sharing.

Excellence: Alignment with the sector's strategic objectives, technical innovation, and challenge relevance.

Impact: Potential for significant sectoral adoption of GenAI, contribution to EU competitiveness, and exploitation planning.

Quality and Efficiency of Implementation: Robustness of the multi-stage competition design, project management, strength of the consortium, and resource allocation.

Sectoral Portfolio Balance: For at least one project in each of the three strategic sectors (aerospace, pharma/drug development, telecommunications), grant will be awarded to the highest-ranked proposal meeting all thresholds in each sector.

Entities and proposals that do not address aerospace, pharma/drug development, or telecommunications are excluded.

Entities established in non-eligible countries or controlled (majority owned) by non-eligible country entities are excluded.

Entities designated as high-risk suppliers for European mobile network equipment (per EU strategic asset protection rules) or entities owned/controlled by such suppliers are excluded.

Beneficiaries must monitor and report on the staged competition, including KPIs, benchmarking, and progress-monitoring.

Intermediate and final reports are required as per Horizon Europe rules.

Multi-stage application:

1. Stage 1: Open call for GenAI proposals in one of the three sectors. The consortium selects up to 20 proposals per sector.

2. Stage 2: Selected Stage 1 entrants receive FSTP grants (EUR 250,000/project), compete, and four are selected for Stage 3.

3. Stage 3: Four winners receive further grants (EUR 2,000,000 each) to develop advanced GenAI solutions; overall best performer is distinguished.

All applications to be submitted via the Horizon Europe Funding and Tenders Portal.

Proposals must include:

— Explanation of sectoral challenge addressed (aerospace, pharma/drug development, or telecommunications)

— Consortium structure and roles (with user industry as core)

— Description of multi-stage competition plan and support mechanisms

— Draft exploitation plan

— Methodology for evaluation, KPIs, timeline, and impact strategy

— All required Horizon Europe application forms (Part A and B), institutional validation, and administrative documentation