Open Call Analysis: COSMIC – AI & Data for Green Transition

Open Call for AI and Data-Driven Solutions: Supporting the green transition and energy optimization for European SMEs and startups.

About COSMIC Open Call

COSMIC is a European-funded project aligned with Green Deal objectives, focusing on AI-powered energy optimisation. The programme supports innovative SMEs in developing scalable AI and data-based solutions that integrate into COSMIC’s platforms. Through its open calls, COSMIC will select up to 27 SMEs across two rounds, offering funding, technical mentoring, and access to large-scale pilots in six European countries.

Why Apply?

Funding: Up to €150,000 per project (lump sum covering up to 70% of project costs)
Access to large-scale pilots: Validation of solutions with leading industries and real data
Mentoring: Tailored technical and business mentoring
Networking: Collaborations with top research and industrial partners in Europe
Impact: Enhance your innovation’s scalability, visibility, and track record in AI for the green transition.

Who Can Apply?

SMEs, including start-ups, registered in EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories, or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

The applicants who are subject to EU restrictive measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)4 are not eligible to participate in this open call.

We are particularly interested in receiving applications from, but not limited to, the following types of applicants:

Technology developers: SMEs with a strong track record in software development, system integration, and innovative IT solutions, particularly those tailored to AI and big data
AI technology providers: Companies specializing in machine learning, computer vision, and data analytics capable of developing AI-driven tools to enhance energy resource optimization.
Data analytics and IoT specialists: SMEs experienced in managing large datasets, building smart data platforms, and integrating IoT systems to produce actionable insights.
Environmental technology innovators: Businesses focused on sustainability, offering solutions related to carbon footprint integration, circular economy practices, and energy efficiency improvements.
Waste management and recycling tech SMEs: Emerging companies working on technologies like computer vision for waste sorting and platforms that encourage community engagement in waste reduction.
User insight and behavioural analytics SMEs: Companies using data-driven methods, such as panel studies, behavioural modeling, or AI-enhanced survey tools, to generate actionable insights on user acceptance, adoption behaviour, and market viability to support the development, calibration, and validation of AI and big data solutions

Each applicant must demonstrate the ability to provide at least 30% of the total project budget through self-financing. The COSMIC project will offer a lump sum covering up to 70% of the project budget for third-party beneficiaries (up to 150.000 Euros). Non-profit legal entities may be eligible to receive up to 100% funding.

How to Apply?

Evaluation & Selection Process

Proposals are assessed in five stages:

Eligibility check: After the closure of the open call, we will review the proposal to ensure it meets the conditions outlined in Section 3 of the guide for applicants. This assessment will be based on the statements provided in your proposal. At this stage, the eligibility criteria are checked against the Declaration of Honour or self-declarations included in the application form, and they will be continuously verified throughout the evaluation process, including the final formal check.
Scope screening: your proposal must be aligned with the scope of activities outlined in Section 3.2 and Section 3.3 in the Guide for Applicants, and provide a clear demonstration of this alignment. Your proposal will be reviewed on the following aspects: Scope, aligned with the objectives of the proposal must fit within the scope of the COSMIC project; and European Dimension.
Independent external evaluation, against the following criteria:
1. Excellence: Ambition, Innovation, Soundness of the approach and credibility.
2. Impact: Market opportunity, Competition, Commercial Strategy and scalability, Environmental and social impact.
3. Implementation: Team and Resources:.

Each evaluator will produce an Individual Evaluation Report. Once the Individual Evaluation Reports are submitted, the final score for each criterion will be calculated as the average of the scores provided by each evaluator. The final score of each application will be calculated as the sum of the scores for each criterion. The threshold for individual criteria will be 3. The overall threshold, applied to the sum of the three individual scores, is 10 points

Consensus meeting: The ‘Selection Committee’ – including three external experts who participate in the independent evaluation will decide, at this stage, the ‘List of Jury Day’s participants’ to be invited to the Jury Day. The discussion will be based on the ranking obtained from the external evaluation.
Jury Day: If your proposal has been selected following the Consensus Meeting, you will be invited to the Jury Day, where you will have the opportunity to pitch your project in front of the COSMIC Jury. After the Jury Day, the COSMIC Selection Committee will undertake the final evaluation, taking into account the awarding criteria of: High potential impact on the project’s goals; Vision and attitude of the team; Positive impact on the applicant’s processes. The Selection Committee will decide by consensus (minimum ⅔ of majority votes) the ‘Provisional List of FSTP recipients’ and ‘Reserve List’.

Additional Support Beyond Funding

Beneficiaries will receive:
• Tailored technical mentoring and Proof-of-Concept support
• Solution development guidance
• Testing in controlled and real-world pilot environments
• Business mentoring and market readiness support

Proposal requirements

Be aligned with COSMIC objectives
Each proposal must focus on only one of the specific prioritized challenge as outlined in the technical guidelines:
- Challenge 1 Construction Material and Facade Simulation
- Challenge 2 Data-Driven Behaviour Modelling
- Challenge 3 Urban Cooling System for Public Outdoor Spaces
- Challenge 4 Sensor Calibration System for Public Outdoor Spaces
- Challenge 5 Climate (Risk) Modelling
- Challenge 6 Thermal Comfort Visual Recognition System
- Challenge 7 User‐Friendly Smart App for Energy Monitoring in Multi‐Story Buildings
- (Manager & Consumer perspectives)
- Challenge 8 Real-Time Resource Consumption Prediction
- Challenge 9 Large-Scale Data for Model Calibration/Validation
- Challenge 10 Apps for Consumers
- Challenge 11 Predictive Maintenance for District Heating Networks
- Challenge 12 Predictive Maintenance for PV Plants
- Challenge 13 Waste Management System
- Challenge 14 Digital Twin of Anaerobic Digester of Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Challenge 15 Industrial Energy Community Optimisation and Flexibility Management
- Challenge 16 Models for innovative blue/green solutions
- Challenge 17 Digital Twin for Domestic Energy Usage
The proposed activities should ideally include:
- Solution development: Crafting innovative AI and data-based services, tools, and technologies (e.g., digital twins, smart charging systems, and user interfaces) that directly address a specific COSMIC challenge.
- Integration and facilitation: Merging new solutions with existing platforms – such as BMS, BIM/GIS-based digital twins or Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) – to enhance data flow and system interoperability.
- Testing and validation: Rigorously evaluating the proposed solutions in large-scale pilot environments to verify their performance, scalability, and user acceptance.
- Proof-of-concept and demonstration projects: Delivering demonstrative projects that highlight the practical impact and industrial applicability of the developed assets.
- Resource utilization assessment: Assess and track the resources, especially electricity, used in the process of delivering the service or developing the solution and estimate the operational resource consumption. Aim for TRL 6–7 by the end of the project
Projects should demonstrate a clear European dimension, contributing to a substantial positive impact on European citizens, in terms of Scalability and business model, and Replicability.

Required documents include the online application form, Declaration of Honour, company documents, and financial evidence.

Important Dates

InfoDay: 26 June 2025 (the webinar recording is available here)
“How to Apply” Webinars: 9 September 2025 and 2 October 2025
Submission Deadline: 27 October 2025, 17:00 Brussels time
Acceleration Programme: late 2025 – 2026 (10 months).

Final Thoughts on COSMIC Open Call

The COSMIC 1st Open Call provides a unique opportunity for SMEs to develop impactful AI and data-driven solutions for Europe’s sustainable future. With strong funding, mentoring, and validation through large-scale pilots, the call can accelerate innovation and market adoption. Interested SMEs should register for the Info Day and webinars to prepare their applications.