Library FAQ
What is the recommended project duration and expected number of projects?
An effective duration of around 2–3 years is indicated. One project is expected to be funded under this action.
What Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be used to monitor the action?
Minimum KPIs include Time to inform (from application to notification), Time to pay (from reception of service to payment), percentage of EIC Awardees using the lump sum scheme (target at least 20%), and 90% of entities evaluating the application system as lea...
What monitoring and survey obligations does the CSA Beneficiary have?
The CSA Beneficiary must monitor services received, run a quality survey immediately after the service ends and an impact survey 6 months after; both surveys must be validated with the Agency.
What must applications reference and include as proof?
Applications must reference a specific partner from the online EIC Ecosystem Partner Catalogue and include proof of approval from that partner.
What reporting and dashboard requirements must the CSA Beneficiary implement?
They must put in place real-time reporting and monitoring with dashboards showing applications received and funding awarded per EIC Awardee and aggregated data (e.g., geography, service type, financial support, partner distribution, survey results). Exact dash...
What type of financial support will the CSA Beneficiary provide to EIC Awardees?
The CSA Beneficiary will provide fixed-amount lump sums covering up to 70% of costs for access to R&D infrastructure, prototyping and IP/legal support, and up to 50% of costs for other services received from EIC Ecosystem Partners.
Who qualifies as EIC Awardees eligible for this support?
EIC Awardees are defined in the Glossary and include Awardees selected under the H2020 EIC Pilot (2018–2020), entities awarded a Seal of Excellence under EIC Work Programmes, and EIC Pre-Accelerator awardees under the WIDERA Work Programme.
How is the indicative budget for the smart edge and quantum components Challenge allocated?
Indicative budget: EUR 50 million, with at least 30% allocated to Quantum technology components and at least 30% to semiconductor chip development areas; the remainder is flexibly allocated based on submissions.
What compliance is required for AI models developed under the AI Challenge?
AI models must comply with the EU concept for Trustworthy AI, the relevant ethical principles, and the (draft) AI Act, with due attention to data quality, transparency, privacy, and security.
What compliance is required for AI used in virtual worlds projects?
AI models developed or applied must comply with the EU concept for Trustworthy AI, relevant ethical principles, and the (draft) AI Act, with attention to data quality, transparency, privacy, and security.
What interoperability considerations are mentioned for virtual worlds?
Interoperability between solutions is key to enable free movement of users and tools between virtual worlds and to avoid gatekeeper phenomena.
What is the aim of the virtual worlds Challenge related to Industry 5.0?
To enable high-fidelity virtual worlds in high-impact markets that promote Industry 5.0 principles (sustainability, human-centricity, resilience) by scaling up innovations in platforms, middleware, tools, and devices with industry partnerships and end-user inv...
What is the focus of the Emerging quantum technology components Challenge?
Fostering innovation in quantum information processing components, including fault-tolerant quantum computing hardware, quantum sensors for real environments, and quantum communication devices deployable in real environments (e.g., quantum repeaters).
What is the indicative budget for the European-value driven AI Challenge?
Indicative budget: EUR 50 million.
What is the indicative budget for the virtual worlds Challenge?
Indicative budget: EUR 50 million.
What is the scope of the smart edge Challenge?
To promote novel semiconductor components and integrated smart systems for next-generation edge devices focusing on low-power processing, sensing, communication, power management, and highly integrated customised devices.
What must applicants demonstrate for the European-value driven AI Challenge?
Applicants must demonstrate a genuine commitment to developing and deploying “European-Value driven” AI that provides a European perspective as a differentiating factor and helps de-risk future investments.
What outcomes are expected from proposals in the virtual worlds Challenge?
In-situ demonstrations showing added value of virtual worlds in high-impact markets, market uptake and scale-up, skills upgrades and talent attraction, improved employee well-being and knowledge retention, and cost-effectiveness and resource efficiency for ind...
What outcomes are expected from the European-value driven AI Challenge?
Reinforced development of European-value driven foundation models aligned with trustworthy and ethical principles, reduced dependencies, strengthened European companies’ use of generative AI, and potential strategic partnerships and capital attraction.
What outcomes are expected from the smart edge Challenge?
Deep-tech innovations for next-generation edge and IoT semiconductor devices with impacts across industrial automation, mobility, smart cities, health and well-being, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
What ownership or control restrictions apply to Accelerator grant beneficiaries under the AI Challenge?
Beneficiaries of the grant component of Accelerator funding must not be directly or indirectly controlled by a non-associated third country or a legal entity established in such a country, except for entities from OECD member countries, Mercosur member countri...
What safeguards and conditions apply to technologies under the smart edge and quantum Challenges?
Technologies must be developed robustly with attention to safety, security and ethics. Beneficiaries of the grant component of Accelerator funding must not be directly or indirectly controlled by a non-associated third country or an entity established in such...
What support and access can selected AI beneficiaries receive?
Selected beneficiaries will receive favourable access to European supercomputing resources for training large foundation models under EuroHPC terms, and may benefit from actions creating strategic industry partnerships and access to scientific datasets or tool...
Which sectors should smart edge proposals show commercial potential in?
Proposals should show high commercial deployment potential in sectors such as industrial automation, ICT, mobility, health and well-being, agri-food, security, and energy.