Library FAQ
What critical challenges must be addressed to realise deep tech's potential in healthcare?
Key challenges include access to high-quality, diverse datasets and explainable AI for clinical trust; reproducibility, cost-efficiency, and regulatory compliance for regenerative medicine and bioprinting; and rigorous validation of disruptive radiotherapy tec...
What is FLASH radiotherapy?
FLASH radiotherapy delivers ultra-high-dose-rate gamma or particle beams in extremely short times (ideally under a second) to improve tumour control while protecting surrounding healthy tissues compared with conventional radiotherapy.
What is new about 3D and 4D bioprinting in wound management?
Novelty includes fabricating complex, multi-layered tissue constructs integrating multiple materials and bioactives for targeted therapy, and 4D constructs that dynamically adapt mechanical properties and release profiles in response to environmental cues like...
What is new about digital biomarker-based health prediction with AI?
New capabilities include processing vast, diverse biomarker datasets, continuous monitoring via advanced sensors and wearables, combining multiple biomarkers for improved accuracy, and using synthetic data and digital twins to train AI models.
What is novel about FLASH radiotherapy?
Its novelty lies in delivering doses at rates several magnitudes higher than conventional radiotherapy. Early animal and initial human studies are promising, but the precise biological mechanisms remain under investigation and current devices are not yet optim...
What is targeted protein degradation and why is it important?
Targeted protein degradation is a therapeutic strategy that eliminates disease-causing proteins previously undruggable by conventional small molecules or biologics. It can address unmet medical needs and enable breakthroughs in areas where traditional drugs fa...
What role can the EIC play in overcoming barriers to deep tech in healthcare?
The EIC can foster interdisciplinary collaboration, provide patient capital for long-term development, and build an innovation ecosystem connecting research institutions, startups, and healthcare providers to overcome technical, clinical, and regulatory barrie...
Are applications concerning the evolution of European communication networks allowed?
Such applications will be subject to restriction (Annex II – Section B1).
Are projects that address only one Area or other cancer types eligible?
No. Projects addressing only one Area or other cancer types are out of scope.
Are proposers encouraged to use any specific imaging platform?
Yes. Proposers are encouraged to use the Cancer Image Europe platform from the European Cancer Imaging Initiative and to contribute datasets and tools.
How should datasets be described for the cancer challenge?
Datasets should be described with metadata records in the EU dataset catalogue of the European Health Data Space using Health DCAT-AP.
Is on-site 3D-printing of cementitious materials or polymers in scope?
No. On-site 3D-printing of cementitious materials or polymers as a primary construction task is outside the scope.
Is this section aligned with any Council Decision?
Yes. The Waste-to-value section is in line with Article 12(1)(b) of Council Decision 2021/764.
What application fields and approaches will the construction portfolio span?
The portfolio will span application fields (super-structure, sub-structure, site-preparation, building, infrastructure, other; target environment) and approaches (robot types, number of agents, coordination, autonomy, stability, sensors, resilience, building e...
What are the expected impacts and portfolio coverage for the waste-to-value challenge?
Aligned with REPowerEU and Fit for 55 and relevant directives, the portfolio should collectively cover Areas 1–3 (with one proposal each from Areas 2 and 3 and several from Area 1). Contributions include local energy/resource supply, increased recycling share,...
What are the expected outcomes of the generative AI cancer challenge?
Develop next-generation models for cancer diagnosis and treatment with Generative AI, create a multidisciplinary collaborative environment, improve care quality and reliability, reduce health system pressure and costs, and foster European leadership.
What are the three Areas defined for the Waste-to-value Challenge?
Area 1: fully integrated waste-to-value devices (e.g., solar reforming, integrated capture/conversion, brine mining, ex-situ remediation devices). Area 2: understanding mechanisms via computational material science and AI to bridge atomic-to-device scales. Are...
What are the three specific objectives each construction robotics project must deliver?
(1) A simplified structural, load-bearing, material–robot building system demonstrating TRL4 autonomous collaborative multi-robotic assembly with design-for-robotic-assembly aspects and virtual simulations; (2) an autonomous mobile multi-robotic collaborative...
What challenges do on-site construction robotics need to address?
They must address unstructured, dynamic environments with human presence, labour shortages, productivity gaps, safety expectations, and the need for healthier and more affordable living environments.
What collaborative outputs will the cancer portfolio produce?
The portfolio will create a shared synthetic image database; compare combinations of agents across cancers; benchmark agents; define innovative oncology pathways; externally validate agents at partners’ clinical premises; and develop standardized methods/frame...
What composition categories are used for the cancer portfolio?
Composition categories include cancer type, technology type, and access to infrastructure/data/ecosystem integration.
What impacts are expected from the construction robotics challenge?
Contributions to the European Green Deal, the European AI Strategy and Horizon Europe priorities by addressing labour shortages, productivity, safety, emissions, costs and risks, and serving as a lighthouse for affordable housing, renovation, circular construc...
What interpretability focus is expected for AI models/agents in the cancer challenge?
Focus should include interpretability approaches such as causal inference, explainable AI, and novel visualization methods.
What minimum requirements must waste-to-value proposals meet regarding process and TRL?
Proposals must address the full waste-to-value process (not half-reactions), aim for devices reaching TRL4 within 3–4 years, avoid down-cycling, be energy/material-efficient and sustainable, use safe recyclable-by-design materials, and provide robust systems f...