Innovators in drone tech for farming, forestry & livestock can apply for up to €60,000 in funding. Open to SMEs, researchers & startups with bold, open-source ideas. Apply by May 26, 2025!
About SPADE Open Call 2
SPADE (Smart & Sustainable Drone Ecosystem for Agriculture and Forestry) is a Horizon Europe project aiming to revolutionise drone services for sustainable farming. Running until 2026 and coordinated by CERTH (Greece), SPADE integrates AI (Artificial Intelligence)/ML (Machine Learning), swarm technology, and digital twin platforms across three pilot case studies: open-field agriculture (Spain), forestry (Norway), and livestock (Greece).
SPADE empowers innovators to co-develop drone-based solutions that tackle environmental and operational challenges, fostering a digital ecosystem of interoperable, open-source tools.
Why Apply to SPADE Open Call 2?
Through this open call, SPADE provides:
- Up to €60,000 in funding per selected project
- 9 total projects to be funded across 9 tailored challenges
- 6-month acceleration: Fast-track your tech into real-world pilots
- Access to SPADE infrastructure, drones, datasets, and digital platforms
- Open-source collaboration via SPADE Research Labs
- Visibility and impact through EU-wide dissemination and demos
- Support & mentorship from top-tier academic and industry partners
Pilot project examples
Who Can Apply?
SPADE Open Call 2 is open to SMEs, startups, universities, research centers, NGOs, and foundations that are legally established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Applicants must commit to open-source principles and apply as individual entities (consortia are not eligible). Additionally, each applicant can submit only one proposal per challenge.
How to Apply to SPADE Open Call 2 – Proposal Requirements
Submit your application online through the SPLORO platform. You can download the application form to prepare your proposal offline before completing the digital submission.
Proposal Requirements for SPADE Open Call 2
Applicants must submit a complete application package to be considered for SPADE Open Call #2. This includes:
A filled-out application form detailing the proposed project.
Legal entity documentation to verify eligibility.
An open-source declaration, ensuring commitment to open innovation principles.
An ethical self-assessment, addressing potential risks and compliance.
A technical annex aligned with the chosen challenge.
For selected projects, additional legal and financial documents will be required to finalize the grant agreement.
Evaluation and Selection Process for SPADE Open Call 2
Proposals will undergo a multi-step process:
- Eligibility check
- Challenge alignment verification
- External remote evaluation (team, technical excellence, implementation, and impact)
- Scoring & normalization
- Legal validation
Additional Support Beyond Funding
Through this open call, SPADE offers more than just funding, providing additional support to accelerate innovation:
Mentorship from SPADE partners, offering expert guidance.
Access to real-life case studies in Spain, Norway, and Greece for practical validation.
Open development through Eclipse Foundation’s GitLab, fostering collaboration.
Visibility and promotion across SPADE’s media channels and EU networks.
This comprehensive support ensures that selected projects gain the resources, expertise, and exposure needed to drive impactful advancements in drone technology.
Important Dates
- InfoDay 2: 2 April 2025 – 10:00 CET
- InfoDay 3: 4 April 2025 – 10:00 CET
- InfoDay 4: 9 April 2025 – 11:00 CET
- Submission Deadline: 26 May 2025 – 17:00 CET
- Remote Interviews & Evaluation: 27 May – 4 July 2025
Final Thoughts on SPADE Open Call 2
If you’re passionate about drones, data, and sustainable agriculture, SPADE Open Call 2 is your moment to shine. With funding, exposure, and a vibrant open-source community, your project can take root and scale across Europe. Don’t miss the SPADE Info Days to meet the team, explore challenges, and kickstart your journey!
More Information
For complete details on SPADE Open Call 2, including full application guidelines:
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Open Call Analysis: SPADE– Unleashing the Power of Drones for Sustainable Agriculture
