Apply AI: Pilot of the “Science for AI” Pillar of RAISE (“Resource for AI science in Europe”) (RIA)

The EU initiative “Apply AI: Pilot of the Science for AI Pillar of RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe)” supports outstanding research institutions and laboratories towards a virtual European AI institute. Under the Horizon Europe research call DIGITAL (HORIZON-CL4-2026-04), a total budget of €17 million is available with a funding rate of 100%. Educational institutions, companies, non-profit organizations, public bodies, and start-ups from the EU are invited to form a consortium with at least three independent partners from different member states or associated countries. The goal is to establish and operate a network of leading AI research institutes that develops a joint research agenda for fundamental AI topics, creates synergies with AI-in-Science initiatives of the RAISE project, and secures Europe’s leading position in AI. The call runs from January 15 to April 15, 2026, 5 p.m. Brussels time; EU PIC registration is a prerequisite. At least 60% of the participating senior researchers must demonstrate proven excellence, and each institution should have dedicated infrastructure, legal structures for IP management, as well as ten or more AI research teams.

The consortium projects include personnel and material costs, travel expenses, subcontracting services, and administrative costs. Project proposals will be evaluated in a single-stage procedure based on innovation content, scientific excellence, consortium quality, and relevance to European AI research. Funding is granted based on detailed project and financial plans with mandatory ethics self-assessment and exploitation plans. Milestones and work packages must be defined before the start of research activities in 2026; the duration depends on the scope of the research agenda, starting from January 15, 2026. Successful implementation will make a significant contribution to the long-term safeguarding of Europe’s technological sovereignty in the field of artificial intelligence.