Budget
Funding rate: EU covers 60% of eligible costs for for-profit entities; non-profit entities receive 100% funding. Budget conditions / limitations: The maximum funding per experiment is €125,000, with up to €60,000 per partner. Payments: Distributed in three instalments—25% after initial deliverables, 50% after monitoring meeting, and 25% upon final approval.
Key dates and deadline
Call Opening: August 7, 2025 Call Closing: October 9, 2025, 17:00 CEST Eligibility Check: October, 10, 2025 Proposal Evaluation: October 13 – November 9, 2025 Decision and Final Ranking: November 16, 2025 Results Communication: November 17, 2025 Contractual Process: November 17 – December 1, 2025 Experiment Execution: December 2 – December 2, 2026
Details
The goal of the second open call for the WASABI project is to select at least 10 additional experiments, offering SMEs a unique opportunity to participate in the digital transformation towards Industry 5.0. Selected participants will implement cutting-edge AI-based assistance solutions aimed at enhancing manufacturing processes and products, as well as develop and implement a marketplace to commercialize the digital assistant. The WASABI 2nd Open Call is open to SMEs from the manufacturing sector interested in integrating and exploring AI-based digital assistant solutions to support, optimize, or enhance their existing processes or products. Participation of a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) or a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) is mandatory for all proposals. The project is specifically looking for innovative actors ready to: - Develop and test a Digital Intelligence Assistant (DIA) tailored to a real-world use case in the manufacturing sector - Distribute the DIA via the WASABI marketplace, enabling its adoption by other SMEs.
Eligibility
Applications are only accepted from consortia composed of 2 to 3 legal entities, including at least one SME from the manufacturing sector and one Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) or European DIH (EDIH). An optional third partner can be included if additional IT expertise is required. Consortia must be composed of legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Individual applications are not eligible.
Additional information
How to apply?
https://wasabiproject.eu/2ndoc/