Apply AI: Robotics for Manufacturing: Advancing Core Skills through Technical Challenges (RIA) (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics)
EU-wide funded research and innovation initiative for the development of advanced AI-powered robotics capabilities in manufacturing. Three-phase competition with open call, prototype development, and grand finale. Submission deadline: 15.04.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Promotion of research and innovation in the field of AI-supported robotics for use in industrial manufacturing processes. The goal is to develop a framework for general-purpose robotic capabilities, conduct a multi-stage competition to select and further develop solutions, and accelerate technology transfer into the automotive and manufacturing industries.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs
- Travel expenses
- Subcontractor services
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Educational Institutions
- Founders
Funding requirements
- Consortium of at least three independent legal entities from three EU Member States or associated countries
- Involvement of industrial partners from the manufacturing sector
- Experience in transnational R&D projects
- Compliance with Horizon Europe rules on ethics, open science, and gender dimension
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Budget plan
- Curricula vitae of key personnel
- Declaration of compliance with ethics and open science principles
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Relevance to the manufacturing industry
- Quality and efficiency of project implementation
Description
The EU initiative supports a three-phase research and innovation project aimed at developing advanced AI-driven robotic solutions for industrial manufacturing processes. The goal is to establish a comprehensive framework for general-purpose robotic capabilities, developed and validated across three consecutive challenge stages: an open submission round, followed by prototype developments, and a grand finale. Each phase is subsidized through Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) – with up to €200,000 in Phase 2 and up to €1,000,000 in Phase 3 – to generate powerful proofs of concept and further develop the most compelling solutions. Technology transfer to the automotive and manufacturing industries is a key focus.
Consortia consisting of at least three independent legal entities from three EU Member States or associated countries are eligible for funding. Industry partners, particularly SMEs and start-ups from the manufacturing sector, as well as research institutions and universities, collaborate on practice-relevant demonstrators. Participants must demonstrate experience in transnational R&D projects and comply with Horizon Europe rules on ethics, open science, and gender dimension. All eligible costs – personnel, consumables, travel, subcontracting – are covered at 100%. The submission deadline is April 15, 2026. The maximum funding amount is €18 million. Evaluation criteria include the level of innovation, relevance to the manufacturing industry, and the quality and efficiency of project implementation.