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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:Project results are expected to contribute to developing new approaches, tools and techniques that overcome the obstacles of today's centralised AI compute techniques: limits in the availability of energy and AI compute capacity in centralised standalone environments, limited availability of types of AI chips, data quality and security and latency in AI data processing. The ultimate objective is to help overcome EU’s AI compute capacity bottlenecks by offering alternative decentralised and sustainable AI compute models that enable exploitation of diverse hardware processing architectures and scaling approaches.Scope:This topic focusses on technologies and techniques that enable AI data processing to leverage distributed compute resources across the cloud and edge computing continuum throughout the whole AI model lifecycle from data collection, training, fine-tuning, and...

The Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) Program is designed to encourage development and implementation of bold, new, and potentially transformative approaches to STEM graduate education training. The program seeks proposals that a) explore ways forgraduate students in STEM master’s and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers, or b) support research on the graduate education system and outcomes of systemic interventions and policies. IGE projects are intendedto generate the knowledge required for the customization, implementation, and broader adoption of potentially transformative approaches to graduate education. The program supports piloting, testing, and validating novel models or activities and examining systemic innovations with high potential to enrich and extend the knowledge base on effective graduate education approaches. The program addresses both workforce development, emphasizing broad participation, and institutional capacity-building needs in graduate education. Strategic collaborations with the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, national laboratories, field stations, teaching and learning centers, informal science organizations, and academic partners are encouraged.

The far-reaching impact and rate of innovation in the computer and information science and engineering fields has been remarkable, generating economic prosperity and enhancing the quality of life for people throughout the world. More than a decade ago, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) established the Expeditions in Computing (Expeditions) program to build on past successes and provide the CISE research and education community with the opportunity to pursue ambitious, fundamental research agendas that promise to define the future of computing and information. In planning Expeditions projects, investigators are strongly encouraged to come together within or across departments or institutions to combine their creative talents in the identification of compelling, transformative research agendas that look ahead by at least a decade and promise disruptive innovations in computer and information science and engineering for many years to come. Now funded at levels up to $15,000,000 for seven years, Expeditions projects represent some of the largest single investments currently made by the CISE directorate. Together with the Science and Technology Centers and the National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes that CISE supports, Expeditions projects form the centerpiece of the directorate's center-scale award portfolio. With awards funded at levels that promote the formation of large research teams, CISE recognizes that concurrent research advances in multiple fields or sub-fields are often necessary to....

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:Advanced, secure frugal (energy-, resource-, data- and cost-efficient, sustainable) AI tools for real-time grid operations (including protection), market operations (if relevant) and consumer empowerment in distributed energy systems.A demonstrated AI development environment integrated with the upgraded digital spine of the energy system and energy-saving consumer applications.Scaled-up capabilities for learning at edge nodes and federated systems using agent-based architectures.A governance framework and operating model for the Gen(AI)-powered digital spine. Scope:Building up on previous actions in Horizon Europe (e.g. the digital spine of the energy system in cluster 5 as well as cloud and edge continuum and AI data processing activities in cluster 4) and Digital Europe (Common Reference...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcome:Stakeholders involved in the CO2 infrastructure network are in a position to implement the upcoming legislative framework for CO2 infrastructure. Scope:The project is expected to assist stakeholders involved in the CO2 infrastructure network in implementing the upcoming legislative framework for CO2 infrastructure.Issues to address include market and cost structure, cross-border integration, interoperability and planning, technical harmonisation and investment incentives for new infrastructure, third-party access, along-chain liability, competent regulatory authorities, tariff regulation, ownership and contractual models, baseline of the state of play of current legislation on various aspects of the value chain.As part of the deliverables, the project is expected to review and report on the current state...

Expected Outcome:The REPowerEU plan and the EU Solar Energy Strategy introduced targets for the deployment of solar PV amounting to 600 GWac by 2030. Complying with these targets will be crucial for the European Union to reach its climate targets and free itself from import dependency on fossil fuels and the costs this imposes on Europe’s competitiveness in terms of high energy prices. The Solar Strategy also introduces a target, which has been enshrined into the Net-Zero Industry Act, to re-consolidate the European solar manufacturing sector and scale up European manufacturing capacity across the entire value chain to at least 40% of the EU’s annual deployment needs, or 30 GW of annual capacity by 2030. Innovation is particularly important in the solar PV sector, which is characterised by a short technology cycle, where new technologies become mainstream in only a few years. Novel techn...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:Strengthening of the joint EU-AU Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Collaborative Partnership efforts, with emphasis on improving the visibility of EU Science Diplomacy actions in Africa and supporting Global Gateway Strategy priorities.Acceleration of the achievements of the African countries’ targets of the Paris Agreement.Increase the roll-out of local or regional renewable energy system solutions for electricity, heat and fuel needs and contribute to a fair trade between Africa and Europe.Create new sustainable silks and jobs linked to local or regional renewable energy system value chains and enhance economic growth in local or regional African communities.Increase the readiness, reliability, performance and affordability of local or regional renewable energy system solutions in...

Expected Outcome:Renewable heating can be directly used to efficiently decarbonise industrial processes. Concentrated solar thermal technologies offer a great potential to supply renewable heat for industry for temperatures between 150°C - 400°C. Nevertheless, efforts are still required to demonstrate these technologies for a variety of industrial processes.Proposals are expected to contribute to all the following outcomes:Showcase the capacity of concentrated solar thermal systems to largely meet the heat demand of industrial processes and to achieve a yearly solar fraction of at least 50%.Increase competitiveness of concentrated solar thermal for industrial applications. This is to be proven by an economically feasible business case; by reducing the Levelised Cost of Heating (LCoH); and by valorising and promoting the competitive advantages of the technology such as heat storage, flexi...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:Advance in the realisation of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan Action of Renewable fuels and Bioenergy (for the fuels part) is supported, overcoming fragmentation by mobilizing resources and establishing across EU interregional value chains of renewable fuel technologies and by better alignment of public and private R&I priorities and of funding mechanisms.All sector stakeholders benefit from establishment of renewable fuels value chains at EU, national, regional, and local level overcoming fragmentation across Europe.Different stakeholders (e.g., EU, SET Plan countries, regions, communities, etc) benefit from their engagement in the co-creation of a very flexible R&I Programme in renewable fuels.Researchers, industry, and public authorities have access to increased knowledge a...

Expected Outcome:Proposals are expected to contribute to all following points:Improving cost and recovery efficiency of existing scaled recycling technologiesDemonstrated technological solutions capable of efficiently recycling diverse feedstocks, including production scrap, and mixed lithium-ion battery chemistriesImproved European competitiveness by reducing EU dependence on imported raw materials through improved recycling processesDemonstrable compliance with the targets and requirements set by the EU Batteries Regulation, including recycling efficiency and material recovery rates. Scope:Proposals under this topic are expected to specifically address innovation actions that enhance the adaptability, flexibility, and operational efficiency of existing battery recycling processes.Projects are expected to explicitly target improvements for processing mixed input streams, particularly pr...

Expected Outcome:Proposals are expected to contribute to all following points:Significantly enhanced competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of the European battery cell manufacturing industry, achieving measurable reductions in capital expenditure (CAPEX), operational expenditure (OPEX), energy consumption, and environmental footprint compared to state-of-the-art processes.Demonstrated advanced manufacturing processes and equipment that substantially decrease battery production costs and improve overall production efficiency and battery quality.Established flexible and modular pilot production lines capable of efficiently transitioning between various battery chemistries and compositions, with demonstrated reduction in cross-contamination and effective management of sensitive materials. Scope:Proposals are expected to target the development and demonstration of innovative, next-...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all following expected outcomes:Advance in the realisation of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan’s research and innovation priorities and targets for ocean energy;Energy producers and consumers benefit from increased performance of wave and tidal energy technologies with the focus on efficiency and flexibility, reduced cost, improved reliability and sustainability, operation and maintenance, robustness and security during all stages of the lifetime of an ocean energy farm from installation, operation and maintenance to decommissioning;Efficient and effective support to ocean energy research and innovation through alignment and cooperation among different actors, avoiding fragmentation of efforts providing effectively a significant developmental boost of wave and tidal energy technologies.Increased contribution of ocea...

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcome:Accelerating the commercial availability of Direct Air Capture technologies. Scope:Projects are expected to aim at scaling up existing technical solutions to at least the level of pilot demonstration in relevant environments (TRL 7 or higher).Projects are expected to demonstrate:Improving the cost efficiency of the capture and regeneration process, including Balance of Plant;Improving material performance and process designs (e.g. capture/desorption capacity and kinetics, durability, long-term stability in air);Potential for manufacturing and scale-up (recycling and reuse of materials);Flexible operation under intermittent or surplus renewable energy supply. Depending on the technology, other important issues to address are:Reducing energy use for sorbent/solvent regeneration;Alternative materials for -...

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program helps United States small business concerns (SBCs) bring scientific innovations to the marketplace. The SBIR program supports feasibility studies to later research and development (R&D) needed to develop a commercial product.

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant program helps United States small business concerns (SBCs) that partner with a nonprofit research institution bring scientific innovations to the marketplace. The STTR program supports feasibility studies to later stage research and development (R&D) needed to develop a commercial product.

The National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Act1aims to ensure the continuing leadership of the United States (U.S.) in quantum information science and technology. In conformance with the NQI goals, an argument2-5was set forth for a renewed emphasis on identifying and fostering early adoption of quantum technologies to transform the field of Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) and to accelerate broader impacts on society. A systematic approach to maturing quantum technology platforms by integrating end-users and potential customers from other fields of science and engineering and other sectors of the economy into cycles of research, development, and demonstration should lower the barriers for end-users to pioneer new applications. NSF support for use-inspired and translational research in QISE, combined with continued strong support of the underlying foundational research, is anticipated to accelerate development of a market for quantum technologies. With this program solicitation, the Foundation is taking the next step in implementing the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL) concept as an overarching shared infrastructure designed to facilitate the translation from basic science and engineering to the resultant technology, while at the same time emphasizing and advancing its scientific and technical value. The NQVL aims to develop and utilize use-inspired and application-oriented quantum technologies. In the process, NQVL researchers will explore quantum frontiers6, foster the development of QISE education and workforce development strategies, engage in outr...

Expected Outcome:Projects results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:For supported doctoral candidates Deeper and more diverse set of research-related and transferable skills and competences;Improved employability and career prospects both within academia and beyond;New mind-sets and approaches to R&I work forged through international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary experience;Enhanced networking and communication capacities with scientific peers, as well as with the general public that will increase and broaden the research and innovation impact. For participating organisationsEnhanced quality and sustainability of research training;Increased global attractiveness, visibility and reputation of the participating organisation(s);Stronger R&I capacity and output among participating organisations;Increased contribution of the participating organisations to the local,...

Expected Outcome:For supported researchers:Concrete career prospects and increased career stability;Deeper and more diverse set of research-related, academic and transferable skills and competences, leading to greater autonomy. For participating organisations:Better alignment of research and Human Resources practices, including recruitment, career accession and progression systems, at participating organisation(s) with the European Charter for Researchers and the Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe and the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment;Increased global attractiveness, visibility and reputation of the participating organisation(s);Stronger R&I and teaching capacity and output;Increased contribution to the local, regional and/or national socio-economic ecosystems;Str...

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nations biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on: Courses for Skills Development

The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research is designed to fulfill the mandate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote scientific progress nationwide. NSF EPSCoR facilitates the establishment of partnerships among academic institutions, government, industry, and non-profit sectors that are designed to promote sustainable improvements in a jurisdiction's research infrastructure, Research and Development (R&D) capacity, and R&D competitiveness of EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions (i.e., states, territories, and commonwealths). Eligibility to participate in the EPSCoR funding opportunities, including the EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows program, is described on theNSF EPSCoR website. EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows directly aligns with the NSF EPSCoR strategic goal of establishing sustainable Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professional development pathways that advance workforce development and effects engagement in STEM at national and global levels. EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows provides awards to build researchcapacityin institutions and transform the career trajectories of investigators and further develop their individual research potential through collaborations with investigators from the nation’s premier private, governmental, or academic research institutions and/or centers. The fellowship provides opportunities to establish strong collaborations through extended or periodic collaborative visits to a selected host site.Through collaborative research activities with the host site, Fellows will be able to lear...

Expected Outcome:This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. Proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:The EU offers a valued operational network of clinical research sites (both interventional and observational) that have the capacity to implement well-coordinated large-scale multi-country quality clinical studies in different target populations, which are able to smoothly transition to interventions relevant for cross-border health threats in readiness for or response to a public health emergency.Key stakeholders, including relevant EU and national entities, the scientific communities, policymakers and funders enhance their collaboration and coordina...

Expected Outcome:This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to some of the following expected outcomes:Researchers, healthcare practitioners and providers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)[1] and/or those in high-income countries (HICs) serving disadvantaged populations have access to improved insights and evidence on how to equitably promote the early prevention, risk reduction, and timely diagnosis of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in children and/or young people.Policymakers, public health managers and authorities, parents and their children, and young adults have access to evidence and recommendations for national progr...

Expected Outcome:This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:The scientific and clinical communities have a better understanding of and access to new and innovative products for the treatment of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and fungi, as well as for further clinical investigation.Candidate therapies are available to treat patients for antimicrobial resistant bacteria and fungi, increasing therapeutic options for clinical deployment in the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Scope:The rapid rise of AMR presents a formidable threat to public health, challenging our ability to treat infe...

Expected Outcome:This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:Persons with disabilities are empowered and can enjoy their rights to live independently, participate in society and be included in the community on an equal basis with others.The scientific community develops innovative solutions with a focus on removing barriers faced by persons with disabilities to live independently and they are provided with community support services where they live in the community.Policymakers, health and care services, social and service providers, disability organisations, funders, the scientific community, and...