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Horizon Europe
1 phase
Strategic Analysis
This call targets challenge-driven AI innovation in critical sectors: healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and autonomous driving. A winning proposal will demonstrate significant technological progress in at least one of these areas, fostering a robust European AI ecosystem and contributing to the EU's strategic autonomy in frontier digital technologies.
TRL 2 → 5
In healthcare - advanced AI will accelerate diagnostics and treatment plans, enhance robotic surgery, or improve patient care through predictive analytics.
In advanced manufacturing - advanced AI will optimize production processes, improve quality control and product design, or enable predictive maintenance.
In autonomous driving - advanced AI will enhance vehicle safety, improve navigation systems, or optimize traffic management. Provided sufficient quality of the proposals received, at least one selected project will focus on in-vehicle autonomous driving applications, in line with the Automotive Action Plan, ensuring coordination with the announced Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance.
Significant technological progress and innovation in Apply AI Strategy's prioritised sectors driven by challenge-oriented, AI-powered solutions.
Increase competitiveness and visibility of the relevant AI community within key application domains, and promote collaborative approaches for AI development in these domains, fostering the ecosystem.
Increase adoption of AI technologies across the following three key application domains: healthcare, advanced manufacturing (including AI-powered robotics) and in-vehicle autonomous driving.
Leadership in frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, Photonics and Semiconductors is essential to Europe’s economic security and global competitiveness.
The EU will consolidate its world-class research ecosystem through initiatives like the RAISE network of AI science labs, the development of safe and efficient frontier AI models, and the deployment of next-generation AI agents and robotics in strategic sectors.
A long-term quantum strategy will reinforce Europe’s excellence across quantum computing, sensing and communication, supported by new infrastructures and standardisation to secure technological sovereignty.
Photonics and semiconductor technologies will remain critical enablers for the digital and green transitions, with investments in advanced integrated photonic devices and resilient semiconductor ecosystems ensuring Europe’s capacity to innovate, scale and compete globally.
Foresight and support to emerging materials and technologies will further strengthen Europe’s position at the cutting edge to make sure Europe’s does not miss the emergence of new disruptive technologies, aligning with the Draghi report and the Competitiveness Compass to secure a cohesive, sovereign and future-proof European industrial base.
Apply AI Strategy
highThe Apply AI Strategy is central to this call, focusing on the deployment of AI in healthcare to improve screening, diagnosis, and patient outcomes. It emphasizes the creation of a European network of AI-powered screening centres.
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that align closely with the Apply AI Strategy, demonstrating how the project will contribute to the European network of AI-powered screening centres, share best practices, and ensure scalability and sustainability of AI solutions in healthcare.
Automotive Action Plan
lowThe Automotive Action Plan typically focuses on strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the European automotive industry. It addresses challenges such as decarbonization, digitalization, and global competition, aiming to support innovation, reskilling, and infrastructure development for future mobility solutions.
Evaluators would expect proposals to demonstrate how they contribute to the goals of the Automotive Action Plan, such as fostering innovation in sustainable and digital automotive technologies, supporting the transition to new mobility solutions, or enhancing the skills base for the automotive sector.
Draghi report
lowThe 'Draghi report' (referring to the report by Mario Draghi on the future of European competitiveness) outlines recommendations for strengthening the EU's economic competitiveness, productivity, and growth. It often focuses on areas like the single market, innovation, investment, and reducing regulatory burdens.
Evaluators would look for proposals that align with the report's recommendations, such as contributing to a more competitive European economy, fostering innovation, improving the single market, or attracting private investment, thereby enhancing the EU's overall economic performance.
Competitiveness Compass
lowThe Competitiveness Compass is a framework or initiative, often associated with specific EU institutions or presidencies, aimed at guiding policy actions to enhance the EU's overall competitiveness. It typically identifies key areas for improvement, such as innovation, digital transformation, skills, and a well-functioning single market.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to the strategic objectives outlined in the Competitiveness Compass, for example, by fostering innovation, strengthening the digital economy, addressing skill gaps, or improving the business environment in Europe to boost overall competitiveness.
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that clearly articulate how their AI-powered solutions address specific challenges within the prioritised sectors (@SC1, @SC2, @SC3). They will look for a strong emphasis on innovation, technological leadership, and a clear path to increasing AI adoption (@EO1, @EO3). A robust plan for fostering collaboration within the AI community and leveraging existing initiatives like the AI-on-demand platform or the European Partnership on AI, Data and Robotics (ADRA) is crucial (@EO2, @possible_collaborations). Furthermore, proposals must demonstrate how they contribute to Europe's strategic autonomy and competitiveness in AI (@EI1, @EI2), with particular attention to the mandatory financial support to third parties (FSTP) mechanism and strict adherence to the eligibility conditions regarding control by non-eligible countries.
The AI has drafted potential core elements based on the call analysis. To start building your project proposal structure, select the elements that resonate with your consortium's concept. You can refine and rewrite them fully once your project workspace is created.
Existing healthcare systems often face challenges with slow diagnostic processes, lack of personalized treatment options, and inefficient patient care pathways, leading to suboptimal outcomes and increased costs.
Many advanced manufacturing operations struggle with sub-optimal production efficiency, inconsistent quality control, and reactive maintenance strategies, leading to higher operational costs and reduced competitiveness.
Despite advancements, public and regulatory concerns regarding the safety, reliability, and ethical implications of autonomous driving systems remain significant barriers to their widespread adoption and integration into daily life.
The European AI landscape is often fragmented, with insufficient collaboration between research, industry, and public sectors, which can impede innovation, slow down technology adoption, and undermine global competitiveness against other major AI hubs.
Hospitals, clinics, medical research institutions, and healthcare professionals who will directly benefit from and implement advanced AI diagnostic and treatment tools.
SMEs and large industries involved in manufacturing processes that can adopt AI-powered robotics, quality control, and predictive maintenance solutions.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), automotive suppliers, and technology developers focused on integrating AI into autonomous driving systems.
Academic and industrial researchers, AI engineers, and technology developers who will contribute to and benefit from the project's innovations and collaborative ecosystem.
Government agencies and regulatory bodies responsible for shaping policies related to AI adoption, safety, and ethical guidelines in the prioritised sectors.
The broader academic and research community in AI, robotics, computer science, and related application domains, benefiting from new knowledge, methodologies, and open-source contributions.
The general public who will ultimately benefit from improved healthcare services, safer transportation, and higher quality, more sustainably produced goods.
To research, develop, and rigorously validate novel AI algorithms and systems capable of significantly improving the speed and accuracy of medical diagnostics, personalizing treatment plans, and enhancing robotic surgery or patient care through predictive analytics, directly addressing challenges in the healthcare sector.
To design, develop, and integrate advanced AI and robotics solutions that optimize production processes, enhance quality control, improve product design, and enable predictive maintenance in advanced manufacturing environments, thereby boosting efficiency and competitiveness.
To research and develop cutting-edge AI algorithms and systems specifically for in-vehicle autonomous driving applications, focusing on improving vehicle safety, refining navigation systems, and optimizing traffic management, ensuring coordination with the Automotive Action Plan and the Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance.
To build and strengthen a collaborative European AI ecosystem by facilitating knowledge exchange, promoting open standards, and increasing the adoption of advanced AI technologies across healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and autonomous driving, thereby enhancing the EU's global leadership and strategic autonomy in digital technologies.
The project will significantly boost the competitiveness and global standing of the European AI community by delivering cutting-edge, challenge-driven solutions and fostering a collaborative ecosystem, positioning Europe as a leader in frontier AI technologies.
Advanced AI solutions will lead to faster, more accurate diagnostics and personalized treatment plans, improving patient care, reducing healthcare costs, and increasing the overall efficiency of health systems across Europe.
AI-powered manufacturing processes, including advanced robotics and predictive maintenance, will lead to higher operational efficiency, reduced waste, and superior product quality, strengthening Europe's industrial base and promoting sustainable practices.
Breakthroughs in AI for autonomous driving will significantly enhance vehicle safety, optimize traffic flow, and contribute to the development of next-generation mobility solutions, leading to fewer accidents and more efficient transportation systems.
By fostering indigenous AI development and deployment in strategic sectors, the project will reduce technological dependencies on non-EU sources and reinforce Europe's sovereignty and resilience in critical frontier digital technologies.