Budget
We will allocate a total funding of 4.050.000 Euros to the best proposals emerging from the 2 Open Calls. In total, a maximum of 27 individual projects will be selected, each receiving a lump sum of up to 150.000 Euros. The 1st Open Call, with a total budget of 3.000.000 Euros, aims to select as many as 20 beneficiaries. Funding Conditions: ● Each applicant must demonstrate the ability to provide at least 30% of the total project budget through self-financing. ● The COSMIC project will offer a lump sum covering up to 70% of the project budget for third-party beneficiaries (up to 150.000 Euros). ● Non-profit legal entities may be eligible to receive up to 100% funding.
Key dates and deadline
Open Call launch date 18 August 2025 at 8:00 Brussels Time Open Call close date 27 October 2025 at 17:00 Brussels Time Webinars “How to Apply” 9 September and 2 October 2025
Details
This call will select and support proposals to develop, facilitate, test, and validate AI-based technologies/assets, using diverse datasets, to address large scale energy resource optimisation and the transition to a net-zero society. Selected applicants will receive up to 150 000 euros per project and will be invited to a 10- month support programme, including technical mentoring and business support. It's expected to support up to 27 AI-powered solutions throughout the project's lifespan. Please note that this information is preliminary, and the launch date and deadline are tentative; it might change until the open call launch. Our call targets challenges in energy resource optimization, including but not limited to: ● Carbon footprint integration: Combining energy and waste data for environmental insights. ● Community engagement and reporting: Delivering personalized analytics and benchmarking for end users and community managers. ● Optimizing the uptake of smart appliances and meters: Driving consumer research of AI in energy efficiency. ● Waste sorting assistance: Utilizing computer vision to streamline waste classification.
Eligibility
We are looking for individual SMEs (including startups) registered in: ● The Member States of the European Union 2 and their Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) or ● Associated Countries (AC) to Horizon Europe The applicants who are subject to EU restrictive measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) are not eligible to participate in this open call.
Additional information
We are particularly interested in receiving applications from, but not limited to, the following types of applicants: ● Technology developers: SMEs with a strong track record in software development, system integration, and innovative IT solutions, particularly those tailored to AI and big data. ● AI technology providers: Companies specializing in machine learning, computer vision, and data analytics capable of developing AI-driven tools to enhance energy resource optimization. ● Data analytics and IoT specialists: SMEs experienced in managing large datasets, building smart data platforms, and integrating IoT systems to produce actionable insights. ● Environmental technology innovators: Businesses focused on sustainability, offering solutions related to carbon footprint integration, circular economy practices, and energy efficiency improvements. ● Waste management and recycling tech SMEs: Emerging companies working on technologies like computer vision for waste sorting and platforms that encourage community engagement in waste reduction. ● User insight and behavioural analytics SMEs: Companies using data-driven methods, such as panel studies, behavioural modeling, or AI-enhanced survey tools, to generate actionable insights on user acceptance, adoption behaviour, and market viability to support the development, calibration, and validation of AI and big data solutions.
How to apply?
https://cosmic-horizon.eu/opencalls