Digital Europe Programme – Low-power Edge AI Chips

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Code: 37400 | Identifier Code: DIGITAL-JU-CHIPS-2025-IA-LEAI | Programme name: 32499 | Start submission calls: 08/07/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

System innovation experimentation for Industry 5.0 (IA)

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Code: 37397 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-65 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/05/2025 | End submission calls: 23/09/2025

Industry 5.0 is a framework grounded in system thinking approach which aims to bolster the economic and environmental resilience of industrial ecosystems and companies and contribute to enhancing the sustainable competitiveness of EU industries. Industry 5.0 innovations such as human-centric technologies or learning organisation models contribute to tackling the new emerging challenges linked to ongoing green and digital transition such as addressing the skills gap, attracting the best talent or accelerating uptake of clean technologies.

Evolution of culture in a virtualising world

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Code: 37395 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-05 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

As technology improves, attractive content is developed and virtual worlds become more accessible, European citizens will spend ever more time and experience an ever larger share of important life events in virtual and blended environments.

Leading multinational companies as well as the European Union are making great efforts to accelerate this development, whereby it is the ambition of the European Union to create a thriving and world-leading European industrial ecosystem for virtual worlds

Pilot initiatives on Technology Infrastructures (CSA)

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Code: 37394 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-64 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/05/2025 | End submission calls: 23/09/2025

Proposals should identify a specific technology area or industrial ecosystem in which they will implement the activities proposed for a pilot initiative. This should take into account the selection criteria for pilot actions developed in the final report of the Commission Expert Group on Technology Infrastructures and could cover the priority areas proposed in this report.

The proposals should cover different strategic steps needed to lead to and achieve the expected outcomes, depending on the starting point for the proposed area, building on earlier analysis and consultations.

The proposed actions should lead to a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of Technology Infrastructures, provide evidence of their benefits and added value in the area covered by the proposal, and of any specific needs to improve their availability, accessibility and impact. The actions should also identify possible barriers to addressing the identified needs.

Leveraging artificial intelligence for creativity-driven innovation

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Code: 37391 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-04 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

The rapid development and deployment of artificial intelligence are increasingly permeating and transforming economy and society, notably impacting the diverse and dynamic domains of the CCI which, notably, are predominantly composed of SMEs.

This transformation offers significant opportunities for innovation, within the CCI and in the economy and society at large, and poses challenges including bias, ethical dilemmas, employment shifts, skills need, and issues related to data access, transparency, preservation of cultural diversity and respect for creators’ rights.

Value creation pilots for scaling up innovative solutions (CSA)

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Code: 37388 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-63 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/05/2025 | End submission calls: 23/09/2025

Knowledge valorisation is crucial for boosting the Union’s industrial competitiveness internationally, strengthening its resilience and fostering its open strategic autonomy. Effective knowledge valorisation enables the Union to create and retain economic and societal value by turning research results to new innovative solutions, benefiting society and creating prosperity for all.

A European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage – Innovative use cases

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Code: 37384 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-03 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

This topic aims at implementing real use cases and carrying out demanding end-to-end testing of the platform and its tools, in order to verify its capabilities and improve the ECCCH.

The activities carried out should focus on concrete use cases, undertaken by the participating institutions, professionals and researchers with a view to improve their results or work processes.

The activities carried out should make use of several of the key features of the ECCCH, including the user tools implemented on it. Such key features may include use of the advanced digital twins, of the large-scale cooperation and co-creation features, of the digital continuum or of the advanced features for commercial cooperation with, for example, cultural and creative industries.

Activities carried out may also focus on the seamless interconnection of the ECCCH with other related platforms such as the Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage and the European Open Science Cloud. Proposals should outline a focus of the planned activities that best achieve the expected outcomes, which may include some of the aspects mentioned.

Community of democracy practitioners and researchers

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Code: 37378 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-12 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Creating a network for researchers (including from SSH disciplines), policymakers and civil society organisations to collaborate to formulate policy recommendations and to create knowledge-sharing opportunities was the goal of the HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-02-01 call topic: to support a necessary tool to strengthen and renew European democracy.

The goal of this current call topic is to strengthen, augment, and pursue the work of the network of researchers in democracy together with practitioners of civic participation and deliberation and of citizenship education across Europe, previously set up.

This network should contribute to the EU’s future policy to strengthen and renew democracy.

Independence of the judiciary as an aspect of rule of law compliance

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Code: 37375 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-11 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Judicial independence is a principle of EU law, closely linked to the rule of law, the right to a fair trial and effective judicial protection, as guaranteed by the Treaty on European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

The EU already benefits from several tools to ensure the respect of the rule of law. These instruments serve to promote the rule of law, prevent rule of law problems from emerging, and respond to them when they materialize.

The role of civic and citizenship education for strengthening civic and democratic participation and support for common European values

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Code: 37372 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-10 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Education should equip young people with competences for their personal, social, professional as well as civic engagement and development, enabling them to contribute to our democracies, now and in the future, by shaping active, engaged and creative citizens who are aware of their shared values and able to improve their living environment, as recalled in the 2023 Council conclusions on the contribution of education and training to strengthening common European values and democratic citizenship.

Fighting against disinformation while ensuring the right to freedom of expression

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Code: 37369 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-09 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Misinformation, disinformation and manipulation of information can hamper political and social responses to external challenges such as climate change, public health or migration.

To be successful, solutions to such challenges must be evidence-based.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that includes the right to hold and express opinions, and the right to receive and impart information and ideas without prior approval (censorship) or other forms of interference from government or any other form of public authority.

Freedom of expression is therefore vital to democracy and a core value of the European project, and is closely linked to the role of independent (news) media, which are a key pillar of the balance of power in a democratic system.

Economic inequalities and their impact on democracy

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Code: 37366 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-08 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

 Economic inequalities, including inequalities in wealth and income (e.g. in the form of money, financial assets or property), are a major challenge for democratic societies.

In recent decades, while inequality between countries has generally declined, inequality within countries has increased in many countries, as global economic growth has not been evenly distributed.

This growing disparity in wealth has exacerbated political polarisation and fuelled distrust of democratic institutions around the world. These trends not only suggest correlations between these phenomena, but also threaten basic democratic principles such as social justice, inclusion and equal participation and representation.

Artificial Intelligence for knowledge valorisation (CSA)

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Code: 37363 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-62 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/05/2025 | End submission calls: 23/09/2025

Artificial intelligence and machine learning present enormous opportunities to use scientific knowledge and research results faster and more effectively to create value, develop new products and services and address the needs of our societies. Despite leading in many fields of scientific research, Europe falls short in innovation and valorisation performance (what is known as “the innovation paradox”). Harnessing the power of AI to guide the efforts of researchers and innovators to bring results to the market, make their research more responsive to the needs of society and provide knowledge to inform public policies, can significantly contribute to addressing the innovation paradox. From results scouting to patent drafting, the role of AI to support knowledge valorisation presents ever-growing possibilities.

The autocratic appeal: nature, drivers and strategies

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Code: 37362 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-07 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

In many parts of the world, democracies are under attack.

Reports and indicators confirm that we are in an ongoing period of authoritarianism, with the number of authoritarian regimes steadily increasing since the beginning of the century.

Instead of the heralded ‘end of history ‘ through the triumph of the liberal democratic order, authoritarianism seems to have gained ground, while the wave of democratisation is receding.

The ongoing invasion of a democratic European country by an authoritarian regime is only a symbol and a consequence of the current wave of authoritarianism.

Towards a European research hub on contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life and culture

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Code: 37359 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-06 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

The first-ever EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (2021-2030) is an ambitious and comprehensive strategy adopted by the European Commission on 5 October 2021.

Generations after the end of the Shoah, antisemitism is worryingly on the rise, in Europe and beyond, especially since the turn of the 21st century, the Commission calls “for action, for all Europeans, to ensure that Europe is a place where our founding values are enjoyed by everyone, on an equal basis.” Antisemitism is incompatible with Europe’s core values.

It represents a threat not only to Jewish communities and to Jewish life, but to an open and diverse society, to democracy and the European way of life. The European Union is determined to put an end to it.

Countering and preventing radicalisation, extremism, hate speech and polarisation

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Code: 37354 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-05 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

The phenomena of radicalisation, extremism, hate speech and polarisation are a growing threat to democracy and social cohesion.

In recent years, the EU has adopted various strategies to combat racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia, as well as to tackle hate speech and hate crimes.

The EU also has policy tools to tackle all forms of extremism and radicalisation. As recalled in the Joint Communication “No Place for Hate ” of 6 December 2023, these initiatives are all the more urgent given the increase in hate speech and crimes against women and people belonging to vulnerable groups in recent years.

Preparing the EU for future enlargement: challenges and opportunities

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Code: 37351 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-03 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

As underlined in various Commission Communications and following the granting of candidate country status to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, more needs to be invested in understanding the priorities, opportunities and challenges of enlargement, based on the perspective of an EU with more than 30 Member States.

This also means that EU Member States need to be better prepared, while citizens and civil society need to better understand what enlargement entails.

The proposed research should, on the one hand, improve EU Member States’ understanding of the history,politics and economic situation of the candidate countries and potential candidates through socio-historical research, combined with a legal and economic approach (including expertise from relevant scientific and social sciences).

On the other hand, it should help EU citizens and civil society to better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with possible future EU enlargements.

Standardisation landscape analyses tool (CSA)

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Code: 37348 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-61 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/05/2025 | End submission calls: 23/09/2025

Standards play a pivotal strategic role, serving as the silent foundation of our Single Market, ensuring a high-level of safety, functionality and inter-operability for EU products. They guarantee adherence to policy and legal objectives. At the same time, standards can facilitate access to global markets when they are state-of-the-art and developed within international organisations. This underscores the significant role of standards on the EU policy agenda, including initiatives such as the European Green Deal, Digital Decade, New Industrial Strategy for Europe, the Commission’s EU standardisation strategy, and the Communication European Economic Security Strategy. Future Commission actions – whether it is the implementation of legal frameworks, like the AI and Data Act or the roll-out of the Commission Recommendation on critical technology areas for the EU’s economic security – will depend on standards.

Fostering the consolidation of European science diplomacy

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Code: 37345 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 15/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Thanks in particular to the Horizon 2020 science diplomacy team , which funded three projects in 2016-2022, a dynamic community of European academics and science diplomacy professionals has emerged, leading to the development of the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance.

Further input was provided by the former Strategic Forum for International Science and Technology Cooperation (SFIC), which proposed the development ofan EU Science Diplomacy Platform and Roadmap .

In addition, anincreasing number of Member States have adopted national science diplomacy strategies or agendas or are currently exploring their development and have strengthened the science and technology capacities in their Foreign Ministries (e.g. the creation of an informal network of Science Advisers and Science Diplomacy Coordinators in EU Foreign Ministries).

Horizon Standardisation Booster (CSA)

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Code: 37344 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-60 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/05/2025 | End submission calls: 23/09/2025

Standards are crucial in ensuring the safety, functionality, and interoperability of EU products. They help maintain compliance with policy and legal requirements while also enabling access to global markets when they are cutting-edge and established through international organisations. This highlights the important role that standards play in the EU’s policy agenda, particularly in initiatives like the Digital Decade, the New Industrial Strategy for Europe, the Commission’s EU standardisation strategy, the Communication on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership and the Communication on European Economic Security Strategy. Future Commission actions – whether it is the implementation of legal frameworks like the AI and Data Act or the roll-out of the Commission Recommendation on critical technology areas for the EU’s economic security – will depend on standards.

To maximize the impact of R&I, early integration of standardisation, as recommended in the Code of Practice on standardisation, is crucial for aligning innovations with policy goals and enhancing market competitiveness.