Apply Now: Get up to €100K for Scaling Cloud-Edge-IoT Solutions in Europe
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About O-CEI
The O-CEI (Open CloudEdgeIoT Platform Uptake in Large Scale Cross-Domain Pilots) initiative is a large-scale European project funded under Horizon Europe with Grant agreement number 101189589, running from 2025 to 2028. Its main objective is to accelerate the adoption of advanced Cloud-Edge-IoT (CEI) technologies by orchestrating their implementation across 8 cross-domain pilot projects, realized in 9 countries: Ireland, Croatia, France, Romania, Austria, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, Italy, Switzerland.
These pilots are designed around real-world challenges in 6 core domains:
- Electricity grids,
- Agriculture and Agrifood,
- Mobility,
- Urban areas,
- Telco, and
- Logistics.
The O-CEI (Open Cloud-Edge-IoT project is coordinated by Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). The project consortium consists of 50 organizations from 16 countries.
About O-CEI 1st Open Call for Upscaling Projects
To support innovation in the 6 core domains, the O-CEI consortium has launched its 1st Open Call for Upscaling Projects. The call aims to attract SMEs and startups with mature CEI-based solutions ready for deployment or integration. Selected projects will join a 7-month support programme and receive financial assistance of up to EUR 100,000 in lump sum funding to extend the functionalities of the existing 8 pilots.
The programme offers a comprehensive framework of technical support, business mentoring, and visibility within the European digital innovation ecosystem. At the O-CEI 1st Open Call for Upscaling Projects, the consortium will select 24 exceptional SMEs to participate in this transformative project.
Call open: 19 September 2025
Deadline: 20 November 2025 at 17:00 (Brussels Time)
Funding available: Up to €100,000 per project (Lump sum).
Why Apply?
The O-OCEI 1st Open Call offers selected SMEs a unique opportunity to:
- Receive up to EUR 100,000 to scale their CEI solutions
- Access a structured 7-month support programme, including:
- Personalised mentoring
- Participation in validation and testing activities within real-world pilots
- Continuous progress evaluation and guidanc
- Collaborate directly with O-CEI pilot leaders from domains such as electromobility, smart energy, logistics, and agritech
- Leverage visibility and credibility by being part of a European Commission-funded project
- Enhance scalability and commercial readiness through expert business support
This is an ideal opportunity for tech-based SMEs looking to validate their innovations in applied settings while gaining traction for market deployment.
Additional Support Beyond Funding
Selected SMEs benefit from a fully funded 7-month support programme with three key stages:
Stage 1: Individual Mentoring Plan & Inception
- Deliverables: Project design & mentoring plan
- Milestone Payment: Up to EUR 10,000
Stage 2: Development of CEI Utilities
- Deliverables: Prototype development & testing
- Milestone Payment: Up to EUR 50,000
Stage 3: Release & Testing
- Deliverables: Final integration and validation
- Milestone Payment: Up to EUR 40,000
Progress is assessed at each stage against deliverables, KPIs, and deadlines. Evaluations are conducted by the consortium partners, including technical and ethical reviewers.
Who can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Type of organisation: Single legal entities (SMEs, including startups) as defined by the EU Recommendation 2003/361/EC
- Geographic eligibility: Established in: EU Member States and its Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) or Horizon Europe Associated Countries
IMPORTANT! No consortia allowed for this call.
Additional requirements:
- Must not be affiliated with any O-CEI consortium member
- Cannot be subject to EU restrictive measures or in financial difficulty
- Must hold ownership or usage rights of the proposed solution’s intellectual property
- Must address one of the 8 O-CEI pilot domains.
- A completed application form (via online system)
- A detailed technical and business proposal
- A scaling strategy linked to the specific O-CEI pilot addressed
- Budget estimation for internal evaluation purposes (the lump sum model applies)
- Legal documentation and proof of SME status if selected
- Be aligned with the EU’s digital and green priorities
- Demonstrate technological maturity and scalability.
You can get acquainted in detail with each pilot by visiting the Open call guidelines document.
Here is a brief overview of the 8 O-CEI Pilot Domains – Use Cases:
- PILOT 1: Electric Grid performance optimization upon RES integration – IRELAND, CROATIA, FRANCE
- PILOT 2: Electricity Grid – Software Defined Vehicle for VaS in Urban areas – ROMANIA
- PILOT 3: Energy Consumption and Emission Reductions in Postal Service Fleet Operation via Intelligent BEV Charging Strategies – AUSTRIA
- PILOT 4: Variable Demand in Challenging Maritime Terminal Landscape – MALTA
- PILOT 5: Energetically an Environmentally Sustainable Halloumi Cheese Production – CYPRUS
- PILOT 6: Smart Re-charging and Efficiency of Robot Tractors in Large Fruit Production FIelds – SPAIN
- PILOT 7: Trustworthy and Secure EV Charging upon Reliable 5G Networks – ITALY
- PILOT 8: Heightened Social Engagement and Acceptability of Energy Flexibility in Urban Areas – SWITZERLAND
IMPORTANT!
💡 TOP PRIORITY PILOT Scenarios:
PILOT 1: Electric Grid performance optimization upon RES integration in France – Residential Energy Management and Advanced Load Scheduling
PILOT 2: Software Defined Vehicle for VaS in Urban Areas
PILOT 3: Energy consumption and emission reductions in postal service fleet operation via intelligent BEV charging strategies.
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via the official online form, available on the O-CEI Open Call website. The proposal must be completed in English. Multiple submissions from a single entity are allowed, but only the highest-ranked will be selected.
The application must include:
- Online submission form
- Detailed project description
- Proposed implementation plan and objectives
- Budget estimation (used only for evaluation).
IMPORTANT!
To write a competitive proposal, get acquainted with the evaluation and selection process in detail via the Open call guidelines document.
Evaluation & Selection Process
Evaluation and Selection Process
Evaluation consists of several structured phases:
- Initial Check – Eligibility and completeness verification
- In/Out of Scope Screening – Ensuring the proposal fits the pilot scope
- External Evaluation – Carried out by two independent experts. Criteria:
- Excellence: Ambition, innovation, methodology
- Impact: Market opportunity, scalability, competition, environmental/social value
- Implementation: Work plan, team capability, use of resources
Each criterion is scored 0–5.
Minimum threshold: 3 per criterion; total minimum score: 10/15.
Proposals below threshold are excluded.
- Consensus Meeting – Final ranking and selection by the consortium
- Formal Check & Agreement – Legal validation and Sub-Grant Agreement signing (anticipated: Spring, 2026).
Important Dates
- 1st InfoDay Session: 19 September 2025, 10:00 CET
- 2nd InfoDay Session: 17 October 2025, 10:00 CET
- Submission Deadline: 20 November 2025, 17:00 Brussels Time
- Remote Interviews (if applicable): January 2026
- Acceleration Programme: March 2026 – September 2026
Final Thoughts
The O-CEI 1st Open Call is an excellent opportunity for European SMEs to upscale their innovative CEI solutions in collaboration with high-impact domain pilots. With generous funding, a structured support programme, and access to a thriving EU innovation network, the call provides an ideal framework for deployment, scaling, and impact validation.
SMEs interested in participating are encouraged to attend the InfoDays, download the Guide for Applicants, and start preparing early.
More Information
Project Website: https://o-cei.eu
Open Call Page: https://cascadefunding.eu/open-call/o-cei-1st-open-call-for-upscaling-projects/
Guide for Applicants (PDF): Download
Contact Email : support@o-cei.eu
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