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Strategic Analysis
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action (IA) targets the integration of ethical, inclusive, and scalable AI solutions within the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). A winning proposal must demonstrate concrete, piloted AI applications that address identified operational gaps, foster cultural and linguistic diversity, enhance accessibility for vulnerable groups, and ultimately drive innovation and competitiveness across diverse CCSI value chains.
TRL 4 → 8
Based on programme defaults
Develop scalable pilots for innovative AI-enabled products and services across diverse segments of sectoral value chains, in cooperation with CCSI. These pilots are expected to address identified gaps in CCSI operations and prioritise solutions that catalyse innovation in sectors whose business models are not yet taking full advantage of AI. Applicants should have flexibility to select their preferred application areas.
Design and pilot innovative, inclusive, ethically driven, transparent AI solutions to foster cultural and linguistic diversity, and enhance accessibility, with a focus on engaging individuals in vulnerable situations, particularly youth, older people, persons with disabilities and individuals with special needs. Applicants should have the flexibility to select their preferred application areas.
Insights, recommendations, strategies, guidelines, methods and tools supporting full AI integration in CCSI practices become available to CCSI, policymakers, and stakeholders.
Scenarios for co-created solutions tailored to CCSI needs, utilizing quality data and federated data sources, along with digital infrastructures, and inclusive cooperation processes, become available.
Generally made available AI-powered and ethically designed solutions, tools and services in several CCSI areas benefit creators, cultural professionals, and society, including persons with disabilities and other specific needs, fostering innovative creative expressions and improving creative business models while preserving and enhancing cultural diversity, and inclusion.
By mastering ethical and inclusive AI, CCSI are empowered drivers of culture, innovation, competitiveness and societal wellbeing.
The full potential of cultural heritage, arts and cultural and creative industries and sectors as drivers of both sustainable innovation and a European sense of belonging is realised through a continuous engagement with society, citizens and economic sectors.
Council conclusions of 21 May 2014 on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable Europe (2014/C 183/08)
highThese Council conclusions highlight cultural heritage as a strategic resource for Europe's sustainable development. They emphasize its multifaceted value, contributing to economic growth, social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and cultural diversity. The conclusions call for integrated approaches to cultural heritage policies.
Proposals should demonstrate how their activities contribute to leveraging cultural heritage as a strategic resource, aligning with its economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Evaluators will look for evidence of integrated approaches that promote the sustainable management, valorisation, and societal benefit of cultural heritage.
CETS 199 - Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society
highAlso known as the Faro Convention, this framework convention emphasizes the broader value of cultural heritage for society, focusing on human rights, democracy, and sustainable development. It promotes a people-centred approach, recognizing the right to cultural heritage and encouraging public participation in its identification, interpretation, protection, and presentation.
Proposals should demonstrate alignment with the principles of the Faro Convention, particularly regarding the social value of cultural heritage, community engagement, and the right to cultural heritage. Evaluators will look for inclusive and participatory approaches that empower communities and recognize the diverse meanings and uses of heritage.
AI Continent Action Plan
highWhile not a single formal EU policy document, the 'AI Continent Action Plan' broadly refers to the EU's strategic ambition to foster AI development and adoption, positioning Europe as a global leader in trustworthy and human-centric AI. This encompasses initiatives like the Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence, the AI Act, and efforts to build international partnerships and strengthen Europe's AI ecosystem.
Proposals should demonstrate how their AI integration efforts align with the EU's strategic objectives for AI leadership, ethical development, and societal benefit. This includes addressing aspects of trustworthiness, transparency, accountability, and potentially contributing to international cooperation or the global competitiveness of European AI.
Decision (EU) 2021/820 of 20 May 2021 on the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) 2021-2027
highThis Decision establishes the Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) for the period 2021-2027. It outlines the EIT's strategic priorities, objectives, and activities to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent development across Europe, primarily through its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), addressing global challenges.
Proposals should demonstrate how they align with the EIT's strategic objectives as outlined in the SIA 2021-2027. This could involve contributing to fostering innovation ecosystems, promoting entrepreneurship, developing critical skills, or collaborating with EIT KICs, particularly in areas relevant to the call's focus on innovation and competitiveness.
Specific requirements
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
1. Admissibility conditions — Proposal page limit and layout As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. The page limit of the Part B of the Innovation Action (IA) application using lump sum is 50 pages. In addition, it is mandatory to submit a detailed budget table using the template available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries — As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 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. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide .
3. Other Eligibility Conditions — Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks. As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion — As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds — As described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes — As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual .
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement — As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants — Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf ]]. Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties. The support to third parties can only be provided in the form of grants. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is EUR 60 000. The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5. In addition, as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) Lump Sum MGA Call-specific instructions Detailed budget table (HE LS) Information on financial support to third parties (HE) Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 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 Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that clearly demonstrate:
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Develop scalable pilots for innovative AI-enabled products and services across diverse segments of sectoral value chains, in cooperation with CCSI. These pilots are expected to address identified gaps in CCSI operations and prioritise solutions that catalyse innovation in sectors whose business models are not yet taking full advantage of AI. Applicants should have flexibility to select their preferred application areas. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Design and pilot innovative, inclusive, ethically driven, transparent AI solutions to foster cultural and linguistic diversity, and enhance accessibility, with a focus on engaging individuals in vulnerable situations, particularly youth, older people, persons with disabilities and individuals with special needs. Applicants should have the flexibility to select their preferred application areas. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Insights, recommendations, strategies, guidelines, methods and tools supporting full AI integration in CCSI practices become available to CCSI, policymakers, and stakeholders. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Scenarios for co-created solutions tailored to CCSI needs, utilizing quality data and federated data sources, along with digital infrastructures, and inclusive cooperation processes, become available. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Generally made available AI-powered and ethically designed solutions, tools and services in several CCSI areas benefit creators, cultural professionals, and society, including persons with disabilities and other specific needs, fostering innovative creative expressions and improving creative business models while preserving and enhancing cultural diversity, and inclusion. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4By mastering ethical and inclusive AI, CCSI are empowered drivers of culture, innovation, competitiveness and societal wellbeing. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Consortium representation of CCSI and technology developersConsortia should include representatives of the cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) and technology developers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Liaison with EIT KIC Culture and CreativityProposals should liaise with the EIT KIC Culture and Creativity. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Synergies with Horizon Europe digital transformation projectsProposals should build upon existing R&I outcomes, particularly insights and resources from Horizon Europe-funded projects focused on digital transformation, innovation, or competitiveness in CCSI, and science-technology-art collaboration. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Leveraging European digital infrastructures and data spacesWhenever relevant, proposals might make use of existing facilities such as the European High-Performance-Computing network, ECCCH, Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage, ALT EDIC and other data spaces, EDIHs, AI Factories, and relevant research infrastructures. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5FAIR data complianceParticular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of actions under this Destination is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Leveraging EOSC, ESFRI infrastructures, and European Data SpacesWhere appropriate, actions should leverage data and services available through European Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) or included in ESFRI, as well as data from relevant European Data Spaces. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Integration with the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH)Projects that produce data or digital tools of potential interest to cultural heritage institutions or researchers should, as appropriate, establish links to and/or consider integrating their results in the ECCCH. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Encouraged international cooperationTo maximise the impacts of R&I under this Destination in line with EU priorities, international cooperation is encouraged whenever relevant in the proposed topics. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ9Financial support to third parties for pilot developmentFinancial support to third parties may be foreseen (up to EUR 60 000 per third party in the form of grants) with the aim of engaging entities external to the consortium in the development of pilots. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1The full potential of cultural heritage, arts and cultural and creative industries and sectors as drivers of both sustainable innovation and a European sense of belonging is realised through a continuous engagement with society, citizens and economic sectors. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1council conclusions of 21 may 2014 on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable europeThese Council conclusions highlight cultural heritage as a strategic resource for Europe's sustainable development. They emphasize its multifaceted value, contributing to economic growth, social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and cultural diversity. The conclusions call for integrated approaches to cultural heritage policies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2cets 199 - council of europe framework convention on the value of cultural heritage for societyAlso known as the Faro Convention, this framework convention emphasizes the broader value of cultural heritage for society, focusing on human rights, democracy, and sustainable development. It promotes a people-centred approach, recognizing the right to cultural heritage and encouraging public participation in its identification, interpretation, protection, and presentation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3ai continent action planWhile not a single formal EU policy document, the 'AI Continent Action Plan' broadly refers to the EU's strategic ambition to foster AI development and adoption, positioning Europe as a global leader in trustworthy and human-centric AI. This encompasses initiatives like the Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence, the AI Act, and efforts to build international partnerships and strengthen Europe's AI ecosystem. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4decision (eu) 2021/820 of 20 may 2021 on the strategic innovation agenda of the european institute of innovation and technology (eit) 2021-2027This Decision establishes the Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) for the period 2021-2027. It outlines the EIT's strategic priorities, objectives, and activities to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent development across Europe, primarily through its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), addressing global challenges. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
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