VALLEYS - OC1 Strand A: Toolbox Integration Pilots
Funding for knowledge valorisation intermediaries to deploy, test and integrate the AI-enabled VALLEYS Knowledge Valorisation Toolbox into their organisational workflows.
TYPE OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED: Six-month pilot projects focused on deploying, testing and integrating at least one AI-enabled module of the VALLEYS Knowledge Valorisation Toolbox into the applicant's operational workflows. Eligible activities include Toolbox onboarding and configuration, staff training, data protection and information security assessments, baseline measurements, testing on real operational cases, performance comparisons, integration into organisational procedures, participation in technical feedback and co-design sessions, and preparation of a final case study report. Projects must document Toolbox deployment, compare results against baseline indicators, provide structured technical feedback and present a continuation plan.
SECTORS / DOMAIN: Knowledge valorisation, research and innovation commercialisation, intellectual asset management, technology transfer and innovation support services. The call targets organisations facilitating the uptake and exploitation of research and innovation results through AI-enabled digital tools.
INDIVIDUAL OR CONSORTIUM: Individual applications only. Each Strand A proposal must be submitted by exactly one eligible legal entity. Consortium applications are not eligible under this strand.
SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be legally established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country by the call deadline and qualify as knowledge valorisation intermediaries. Eligible legal entity types include SMEs and start-ups, NGOs, foundations, associations, universities, research organisations and public bodies. Examples of eligible intermediaries include technology transfer offices, incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, clusters, science parks, IP advisory firms and similar organisations. Natural persons, VALLEYS consortium members and their affiliated entities are not eligible. Proposals must be submitted in English through the official application platform and must not receive duplicate funding for the same activities. Selected beneficiaries must join the VALLEYS Network, participate in the relevant thematic Working Group and ensure designated staff complete at least three VALLEYS online training modules.
SPECIFIC TOPICS OR CHALLENGES: Projects must deploy and test at least one of four AI-enabled VALLEYS Toolbox modules: IMPACT IP (intellectual asset assessment and spin-out readiness), Matchmaking Engine (identification of potential partners, investors and standardisation bodies), Cascade Funding Cross-Referencer (identification of relevant funding opportunities), or Proposal Compliance Assistant (support for preparing EU-compliant funding applications). Activities must address at least one EU Code of Practice covering intellectual asset management, standardisation, industry–academia co-creation or citizen engagement. Pilots will use the Alpha release of the Toolbox and contribute feedback to its further development.
PROJECTS DURATION: Six months. Project start and onboarding are indicatively scheduled for the beginning of April 2027.
BUDGET, FUNDING RATES AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
Funding rate: Not specified in the call guidelines.
Budget conditions / limitations: Up to €10,000 per project, with a total Strand A budget of €70,000 supporting up to seven projects. The maximum cumulative contribution to a single organisation across all VALLEYS open calls is €60,000.
Payments: Lump-sum, milestone-based funding. An initial payment of 10% is released following approval of the agreed KPIs and milestones. An interim payment of up to 45% is made following the mid-term review, depending on KPI achievement. The remaining amount is paid following the final review, subject to satisfactory completion of agreed KPIs and mandatory online training. Payments may be reduced or withheld if milestones are not sufficiently achieved.
Links
Closes
14/12/2026
Max funding per project
10.000€