Data sharing to support the training and development of AI foundation models in the energy sector
Funding of innovative methods for the secure and data protection-compliant exchange of large energy data sets and the development of open AI foundation models for the digitalization of the energy system.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Development and validation of effective methods for collecting, sharing, and utilizing extensive datasets in the energy sector for training AI foundation models, aimed at improving grid monitoring, consumption and supply forecasting, storage and renewable integration, as well as energy efficiency. Strengthening interoperability, FAIR principles, and open-source approaches for sustainable solutions beyond the project duration.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs
- Travel expenses
- Subcontractor services
Non-eligible expenses
- Acquisition of real estate
- Retroactive costs
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
- Educational Institutions
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Eligible participants are legal entities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries
- Consortium of at least three independent partners from different countries
- Exclusively civilian applications
- Registration in the EU Participant Register required
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Curricula vitae of key personnel
- Ethics application and data protection concept
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Potential of cooperation and interdisciplinarity
- Relevance and impact for the energy sector
- Quality and efficiency of implementation
Description
The Horizon Europe program supports, within the topic "Data sharing to support the training and development of AI foundation models in the energy sector," the development and testing of novel methods for the secure, data protection-compliant exchange of extensive energy data. Over a period of 36 months, consortia consisting of at least three independent legal entities from different EU Member States or associated countries receive follow-up funding of up to €10 million (70% funding rate). The goal is to create and validate open AI foundation models that primarily improve grid monitoring, consumption and supply forecasting, storage and renewable integration, as well as energy efficiency. This includes innovative data space connectors, federated training, and synthetic data generation, as well as the integration of test and demonstration platforms (AI-TEFs) and cooperation with EU AI factories for scaling. The projects place great emphasis on FAIR principles, interoperability, and open-source approaches to ensure sustainability beyond the project duration.
Eligible applicants include energy suppliers, grid operators, start-ups, SMEs, research institutions, technology providers, and public bodies. Participation requires registration in the EU Participant Register. Funded costs include personnel expenses, material and travel costs, as well as subcontractor services; real estate acquisitions and retrospective costs are not eligible. Applicants must submit a project plan, financing plan, CVs of key personnel, as well as ethics and data protection concepts. Evaluation criteria include innovation content, cooperation potential, relevance to the energy sector, and implementation quality. Applications can be submitted until 1 December 2026, 17:00 Brussels Time.