COSMIC 1st Open Call: AI and Data Solutions to Boost the Green Transition
AI & Data Solutions to Boost the Green Transition
COSMIC is an EU-funded project that supports the Green Deal goals, focusing on using AI and big data to optimise energy resources on a large scale. COSMIC unites industries, SMEs, researchers, public bodies, and NGOs from 10 European countries to develop scalable AI-driven solutions for energy resource optimisation. Through two Open Calls, up to 27 SMEs will integrate their innovations into COSMIC’s platforms and join pilots in six countries, ensuring real-world validation and market readiness. The project will deliver Integrated AI Systems (IAIS) to optimise energy resources and expand to broader applications.
Type of projects to be funded: Development, testing, and validation of innovative AI- and data-driven solutions that address specific challenges in energy resource optimisation. Activities should aim to reach TRL 6–7 by project end and focus on a single challenge area from COSMIC's list. Solutions must demonstrate scalability, societal impact, and integration potential within large-scale pilots.
Sectors / domain: AI, big data, IoT, environmental technologies, waste management, energy efficiency, digital twins, behavioural analytics, and smart infrastructure.
Individual or consortium: Only individual SMEs (including startups) are eligible. Consortia are not supported under this call. Applicants must be legally established in EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories, or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
Specific eligibility requirements: Eligible applicants must be SMEs according to EU definition. Entities under EU restrictive measures, public interest trusts in Hungary, or those in financial difficulty are excluded. Projects must focus on a single challenge. Multiple proposals are allowed (one per challenge), but only one can be funded. Proposals must be submitted in English. Non-profits may receive up to 100% funding; for-profits must co-finance 30% of the project.
Specific topics or challenges: Projects must address one specific challenge (from 13 listed in the Technical Guidelines) within themes such as carbon footprint integration, smart meter uptake, waste sorting with AI, energy consumption optimisation, or community-based sustainability monitoring. Proposals must align with the COSMIC Core Technical or Social Facilitators.
Projects duration: 10 months
Budget, funding rates and payment conditions:
Funding rate: Up to 70% for for-profit entities; up to 100% for non-profits
Budget conditions / limitations: Up to €150,000 lump sum per selected project
Payments:
Stage 1 (1 month): €15,000 (10%) — Individual Mentoring Plan & Proof of Concept
Stage 2 (3 months): €60,000 (40%) — Alpha version of the solution
Stage 3 (3 months): €45,000 (30%) — Testing and validation
Stage 4 (3 months): €30,000 (20%) — Business support and exploitation plan
A 10% retention of total grant is paid only upon final project closure (after Nov 2027).
Links
Closes
27/10/2025
Max funding per project
150.000€