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Expected Impact:The results of the activities should contribute to support common procurement, leading to strengthening the cooperation among Member States and associated countries, as well as to greater interoperability. Furthermore, they should contribute to the development and reinforcement of air and missile defence capabilities of the participants.Objective:This topic aims at actions supporting the common procurement of integrated, multilayered, air and missile defence, or parts thereof including sensors (e.g. radars), kinetic or non-kinetic effectors, command and control, that protects against the full spectrum of air threats (cruise missiles, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, aircraft and UAS) from medium to long range, high and terminal high altitude, including endo-atmospheric interceptor. This topic does not cover very short to short range air defence systems against low altit...

Expected Outcome:The action is expected to mature and demonstrate (TRL 6-8) innovative technologies in one of the key areas set out under the scope of the topic:developing and advancing the technology readiness of innovative individual components and/or integrated systems that perform the key functions of fusion power plants (FPPs), in line with the key area targeted;testing the innovative components and/or systems developed in close-to-real-life conditions, demonstrating the ability to deliver fusion-grade components and/or systems;providing a credible business case, clarifying the potential and perspectives for commercialisation of the components and/or systems developed, and showing the benefits for the competitiveness and growth of EU companies from the fusion field. Scope:to ensure a successful transition to commercially viable fusion power plants, the Commission is establishing a c...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to some of the following outcomes:Better process understanding of past climate changes at different time scales, their variability and interactions with ecosystems, leading to improved Earth system models;Future climate change scenarios produced in light of past changes in the Earth system, in particular warm climates/high sea-level situations, and abrupt transitions;Identification of thresholds in Earth system components and better characterisation of driving mechanisms and feedbacks that may be responsible for non-linear behaviours, including indicators of abrupt changes, and early warning signals within palaeoclimate records;Synthesis of climate variations that can serve as fundamental basis for IPCC assessments and benchmarks for model inter-comparisons. Scope:Palaeoclimatic (including geological, biological and ice-core) re...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:A long-term collaboration on climate change research between the EU and the African Union is established through development and implementation of the Climate Action pillar of the EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE),[1] in co-design between African and European partners;Reduced fragmentation by aligning the EU, national and multilateral R&I efforts with increased leverage and impact of funding;African scientific, policy and practice communities have knowledge and tools to better understand, withstand and adapt to the accelerating effects of climate change, fostering science-based implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change, the international dimensi...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:Existing evidence on maladaptation is retrieved comprehensively, and new knowledge is generated for incorporation into main EU repositories, such as Climate-ADAPT or the portal of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change;The risk and adaptation assessment frameworks are improved by better integrating the maladaptation dimension;Guidelines and tools for maladaptation prevention and correction strategies are made available to adaptation stakeholders at relevant scales and inform the design and implementation of adaptation strategies and plans of the EU and Member States. Scope:Recent climate records, showing unprecedented temperatures and extreme weather events, underscore the urgent need for rapid, systemic and comprehensive adaptation to address the escalating impacts of climate change on a...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:Improved understanding of past and present extreme events in the context of climate change in Europe and globally, as well as the interaction between different hazards, their cumulative and/or cascading effects.Enhanced seamless prediction and projection modelling and attribution capabilities for extreme events and their likelihood to support preparedness, response and resilience to climate change by EU and national and regional actors. The EU Union Preparedness Strategy, the EU Adaptation Strategy and the European Climate Adaptation Plan can act as a guidance in these efforts.Up-to-date contributions towards latest climate science, risk assessments, adaptation strategies and policies and improved early warning systems for single and multi-hazard events. Scope:Climate change is intensify...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:Enhanced knowledge of the effectiveness of policy instruments on EU and Member State level to inform mitigation action and policy improvements, ensuring a fair transition and social acceptability;Methodologies are developed and improved for ex-ante assessment and ex-post evaluation of greenhouse gas emission reductions from climate policies and measures;Strengthened collaboration and established networks between researchers, policy experts and government officials involved in designing and evaluating climate policies on EU and national level. Scope:As the EU and its Member States intensify efforts to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, understanding the effectiveness and acceptability of policy instruments becomes crucial. The implementation...

Expected Impact:By the end of the project: at least substantial contribution to the implementation of the targeted plan/strategy, and mechanisms established to ensure full implementation of the plan/strategy.After the project: Full implementation of the plan/strategy. In relation to those expected impacts, applicants are expected to define, calculate, explain and achieve the expected impacts as described in Award criterion ‘Impact’ of the full proposal evaluation (see Call document).Objective:Support the full implementation of the following plans and strategies:The Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs) pursuant to Article 8 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive) and;National restoration plans pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and the Council on nature restorati...

Expected Impact:Expected Impact:By the end of the project: at least substantial contribution to the implementation of the targeted plan/strategy, and mechanisms established to ensure full implementation of the plan/strategy.After the project: Full implementation of the plan/strategy. In relation to those expected impacts, applicants are expected to define, calculate, explain and achieve the expected impacts as described in Award criterion ‘Impact’ of the full proposal evaluation (see Call document).Objective:Support the full implementation of the following plans and strategies:- Circular Economy: National or Regional Circular Economy Action Plans, Strategies, Roadmaps or similar, which are officially approved, and which include specific and measurable actions, or targets, with a clear timeline and are in line with or complement the objectives of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and, w...

Expected Impact:By the end of the project: at least substantial contribution to the implementation of the targeted plan/strategy, and mechanisms established to ensure full implementation of the plan/strategy.After the project: Full implementation of the plan/strategy. In relation to those expected impacts, applicants are expected to define, calculate, explain and achieve the expected impacts as described in Award criterion ‘Impact’ of the full proposal evaluation (see Call document).Objective:Target the implementation of one or more of the following plans/strategies: Final updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) and Long-Term Strategies (LTS) pursuant to Regulation on the governance of the energy union and climate action (EU) 2018/1999.National adaptation strategies and plans pursuant to Article 5 of the Regulation 2021/1119 (‘European Climate Law’), or regional adaptation strat...

Scope:This topic aims to promote the adoption of ERA policies and practices delivering innovative approaches for enhancing science-society links and promoting scientific literacy. Proposals should contribute to the impact “Increasing trust in science and alignment of R&I with society’s needs, expectations and values”, thereby enhancing the democratic character and impact of science in the ERA.Applicants should select and clearly identify one area being addressed, choosing from the two areas outlined below. Both areas are designed to contribute towards the implementation of the ERA Structural Policy “Enhancing Trust in Science through Citizen Participation, Engagement and Science Communication”. Proposals should develop the activities outlined for the selected area and propose additional activities that contribute to achieving the expected outcomes.Project activities should reach large co...

Expected Outcome:Proposals will deliver on the impact “A more open, equitable and inclusive research and innovation ecosystem”, contributing to the ERA Structural Policy “Enabling open science via sharing and re-use of data, including through the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC)”. Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:Increased number of EU research performing organisations (RPOs) with well-developed policies on open access publications, which include clause(s) for rights retention;Higher share of research publications in open access across the EU and Associated Countries, especially in low-performing countries with respect to open access;Increase of access to and preservation of scientific information through institutional infrastructures, such as repositories. Scope:While the EU is making progress on its open access objectives, recent re...

Expected Outcome:The successful proposal will deliver on the impact “Increased alignment of research with society’s needs, expectations and values”. Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:Strengthened capacity, networks and involvement of the participating cities in science communication and citizen engagement in science;More informed, evidence-based policymaking and increased public engagement through inclusive and participatory discussions and debates on science and R&I policy;Improved attractiveness of diverse careers in R&I for younger generations. Scope:This topic supports a small group of cities in organising and hosting a joint 1-year programme “Science comes to town 2029”. The programme should have a robust concept and brand focusing on connecting citizens and science while involving all relevant stakeholders (e.g., researchers, resea...

Expected Outcome:Proposals will deliver on the impact of “Improved research careers and mobility, based on the European framework for research careers, fostering knowledge flows and career interoperability across sectors and countries”[1], contributing to the ERA Structural Policy “Making research careers more attractive and sustainable, and support mobility”. Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:Creation of talent ecosystems, as integrated networks where cross-sectoral public and private organisations have established close and coordinated cooperation, fostering among others the employability, skills, career development, mobility, career interoperability, and well-being of researchers and other R&I staff;Implementation of organisational changes by participating organisations to mainstream the principles of the European framework for research careers and o...

Expected Outcome:Proposals will deliver on the impact of ‘A more strategic, coherent, and evidence-based approach towards cooperation with China in the area of science, technology, and innovation (STI)’. It contributes toward the ERA Structural Policy “Implementing the Global Approach to R&I cooperation”, while taking into account the ERA Action on “Enhancing research security”.Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:Improved understanding and monitoring of China's STI system to support the development of strategic foresight and evidence-based policies, and further bolster the EU’s ecosystem for independent knowledge on contemporary China;Innovative interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies are made available to R&I practitioners and policymakers, allowing for improved assessment of critical technology areas where China has achieved or is expected...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to one of the following outcomes:Faster uptake of tailored and enhanced AI solutions at innovation hubs in low- and middle-income countries by training and optimising them with local data and applied research.Easier large-scale deployment of local AI solutions in low and middle-income countries by increasing the efficiency of system demonstration in relevant, operational environments.Strengthened local innovation ecosystems that foster sustainable socio-economic impact by addressing key societal challenges in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Scope:System prototype, testing, validation, and demonstration in operational environment aligned to EU initiatives, such as the International Digital Strategy for the EU[1] and the AI Continent Action Plan[2], to strengthen local AI ecosyst...

Expected Outcome:The co-programmed European Partnership for Virtual Worlds will help to develop and promote a thriving industrial and end-user ecosystem in the EU, covering all the aspects of the virtual worlds value chain. It will also actively engage with industrial and societal sectors to provide access to a broad range of resources, including funding, expertise and technology.Project results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Review and, if necessary, update the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for Virtual Worlds in Europe, for useful, open, interoperable, inclusive, sustainable and trustworthy virtual worlds systems and applications, ensuring these reflect EU values and principles.Strengthening of the European Virtual Worlds Partnership by providing continuous support.Reinforcement of the competitive ecosystem, with European companies playi...

Expected Outcome: European leadership in foresight activities on future enabling technologies and their transformational potential in industrial, societal and environmental terms.Increased collaboration between academia, industry players and other relevant stakeholders in iterative and multidisciplinary approaches for co-creating the enabling technologies of the future.Alignment with national or regional initiatives creating an expanding innovation ecosystem, anchored in local contexts across Europe, for selected emerging technologies.Accelerating the pick-up of novel advanced technology by industry and society. Scope:Proposals should establish a forum for emerging interdisciplinary areas and new technological visions.Proposals should enable and support a broad range of participants (across disciplines in science and engineering, RTOs, industry sectors, stakeholders) to meet, mutually in...

Expected Outcome:Pilots for new technologies and a demonstration site which contribute to energy-efficient and sustainable AI data processing in data centres, reinforcing EU strategic autonomy and climate goals. Project results are expected to contribute to one or more of the following outcomes (see more details in scope):Demonstrated innovations that substantially improve heat removal from high-power AI chips (e.g. direct on-chip cooling, advanced thermal interface materials, multi-scale thermal management), enabling higher performance without thermal throttling. This should lead to lower cooling energy needs and higher reliability for dense AI workloads.Prototypes of novel backup power systems (such as graphene-enhanced batteries) that operate with minimal cooling requirements, improving data centre resilience and enabling better use of renewable power.New methods and frameworks that o...

Expected Outcome:The Apply AI Strategy[1] also seeks to bolster EU capabilities and achieve excellence in AI to support the development of European frontier models. As part of the Frontier AI Initiative, which brings together Europe’s leading actors in the field, this topic will support the development of sovereign frontier AI ensuring safety by design. This topic directly contributes to the Apply AI Strategy. Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:Strengthened European capabilities in the development of frontier AI models.Improved computational efficiency of frontier AI models, resulting in reduced computational costs.Enhanced safety of advanced AI systems based on frontier AI models through the development and implementation of safe-by-design principles and/or AI agents acting as safety evaluators. Scope:To advance developments of frontier...

Expected Outcome:The Apply AI Strategy emphasises acceleration pipelines to ensure a smooth transition from research to deployment of AI-powered robotics. Projects under this topic will deliver common frameworks and reusable building blocks that can serve multiple sectors and use cases, reinforcing Europe’s ability to bring AI-driven robotics to scale.Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:Wider and faster deployment of robotics, bridging the gap between technology providers and end-users.Development and implementation of modular and interoperable integration frameworks and solutions, including standardized protocols for data, training and safety testing, evaluation and validation of robotic solutions in key use casesImproved competitiveness of European industries, notably SMEs via the development of advanced robotics systems, intelligent pla...

Expected Outcome:The Apply AI Strategy[1] proposes a comprehensive set of measures to notably harness the transformative potential of AI. It lays down targeted measures to boost AI use in key strategic sectors of the EU economy including healthcare, mobility and manufacturing for example. With challenges designed to spark breakthroughs in such strategic sectors, the current topic will directly support key activities of the Apply AI Strategy.Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: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 tec...

Expected Outcome:Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:Innovative and advanced XR hardware, advanced headsets, screens, wearables and haptic components, sensors and actuators, advanced chips for a deeper and closer-to-reality immersion, stimulating all human senses. Scope:In the recent years, hardware for Virtual Worlds made major breakthroughs, democratising headsets, sensors, actuators or haptic equipment. To keep this momentum and advancing further, new generation of XR equipment, wearable solutions and haptic components, as well as non-invasive brain computer interfaces for handsfree interaction, hardware or technologies will put the users at the very centre of virtual experiences, for even greater and realistic immersion, aiming at blurring the lines between the real and digital environments. To ensure this next generation of engaging and lifelike immersion,...

Expected Outcome:Demand-side driven validation of open orchestration platforms across the telco-cloud edge continuum unlocking notably the transformative value of AI for European businesses, driving business growth in multiple industries strategic for Europe.Enabling the path towards sustainability and competitiveness of key vertical sectors in the EU, exploiting the innovative features of 3C/ telco-edge-cloud, including network features such as API (Application Program Interface) aggregation, slicing, automation, latency, security, ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communication), reconfigurability, to significantly improve quality of service, resilience, sustainability and other performance parameters of digital communications.The demand pilots will have a clear sector relevance, with one pilot addressing the future of smart mobility including the automotive sector.A vibrant ecosystem aroun...

Expected Outcome:Proposals are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:Increasing the participation and influence of European experts in digital standardisation to promote EU values and strategic interests, contributing to strengthen EU competitiveness in the digital field.Improvement of the skills of European experts, especially from SMEs, R&I institutions, Open-Source community, academia and societal stakeholders, to successfully contribute and lead in the development of digital standards.Development and update of standardisation landscapes and gap analyses of key digital technologies as outlined in the Rolling Plan for ICT Standardisation.Provision of foresight analyses regarding standardisation in new emerging technologies to identify short and medium-term digital standardisation needs to support EU policies and anticipate appropriate participation by EU stakeholders.More aw...