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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to assure the continuation and operation of the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC). The DSSC aims to coordinate all relevant actions on Common European Data Spaces to ensure their coherent development, interoperability, and economies of scale. This ultimately facilitates secure and trusted data sharing and reuse within and across various sectors for public and private benefit.

Explicit identification of target recipient type and size: Consortia are required, composed of private organizations (including startups and SMEs), public bodies, academia, and civil society organizations.
MUST state if grant is 'SECTOR-SPECIFIC' or 'SECTOR-AGNOSTIC': This grant is SECTOR-AGNOSTIC, as it focuses on supporting data spaces across diverse sectors and promoting cross-sector standards.
Geographic scope and any location requirements: Limited to European organizations.
Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: Must be a European consortium focused on data spaces coordination and support.
Grant frequency and program context: This is a continuation of an existing initiative, implying recurring support. It is part of the Digital Europe Programme's 'AI Continent' call (DIGITAL-2025-AI-08).

Financial Structure

Funding for this specific topic, 'DIGITAL-2025-AI-08-DS-SUPPORT', has a total budget of 10,000,000 EUR.
The currency for all financial amounts is EUR.
Minimum grant amount per application is not specified.
Maximum grant amount per application is 10,000,000.0 EUR, as only one grant is expected for this topic.
Co-financing requirements: Not explicitly detailed in the provided materials.
Eligible and ineligible costs: Information on cost categories is 'described in section 10 of the call document' and by reference to the 'Digital Europe Programme - General MGA v1' and 'EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509'. These external documents govern the financial rules.
Payment schedule and mechanisms: Details are typically outlined in the 'General MGA v1', which is an external document.
Financial reporting and audit requirements: 'Described in section 10 of the call document', referring to the legal and financial set-up of the grants.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type and Structure

Consortium required: The grant explicitly states the objective is to 'identify a consortium'.
Eligible organization types:
Private organizations: Businesses and industries that can benefit from data sharing and interoperability, as well as software and technology providers offering data space solutions.
Public organizations: Government agencies and public administrations managing and using data for public services.
Academia: Research institutions and universities contributing to data space technologies and standards.
Civil Society: Non-governmental organizations and community groups advocating for secure and trusted data use.
Organizational size: While not explicitly limited by employee count, 'a particular attention should be given to startups and SMEs' to facilitate their access and participation in data spaces.

Geographic Requirements

Geographic location: Restricted to European organizations. This generally implies entities established in EU Member States and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.

Technical Capacity

Expertise requirements: Demonstrated technical expertise in the design, implementation, and operation of data management systems, including security and privacy functions, interoperability protocols, semantic standards, and related AI/intelligent systems.
Infrastructure requirements: Capacity to promote and manage common solutions for data infrastructure across sectoral data spaces.

Track Record and Experience

Operational experience: The focus on 'continuation of the operation of the Data Spaces Support Centre' implies a requirement for a strong track record and experience in coordinating, supporting, and promoting data space initiatives at a European level.

Application Process

Application Process Timeline

Application Submission Window: Opens on 2025-04-15.
Application Deadline: The final deadline for submitting proposals is 2025-10-02 00:00:00+0000.
Evaluation and Grant Agreement Timeline: The 'indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement' is 'described in section 4 of the call document'.

Required Documentation and Submission

Application Form: Applicants must use the 'Standard application form (DEP)' which is specific to this call and available in the Submission System.
Budget: A 'Detailed budget table' is also required and can be found in the Submission System.
Submission Format: Applications must be submitted online through the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System.
Required Documents: Other required documents include the 'Digital Europe Programme - General MGA v1' and 'Guidelines on How to Complete your Ethics Self-Assessment', to be consulted during preparation.

Application Assistance

Support: Assistance is available through the 'Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ', an 'IT Helpdesk' for technical queries (e.g., forgotten passwords, access rights, submission issues), and an 'Online Manual' providing step-by-step guidance.
Direct Contact: Applicants can also contact the funder for help related to this specific call.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds for this grant are 'described in section 9 of the call document'. This document is external to the provided information and must be consulted for specific details on how proposals will be assessed and ranked.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Program Compliance: All actions must comply with the 'Digital Europe Programme Regulation 2021/694'.
Financial Compliance: Adherence to the 'EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509' is mandatory.
Other Conditions: 'Financial and operational capacity and exclusion' criteria are 'described in section 7 of the call document'.

Data Protection and Ethical Standards

Data Practices: A key focus is on facilitating 'secure and trusted data sharing and reuse'.
Ethics Self-Assessment: Applicants must complete an 'Ethics Self-Assessment' as part of their proposal.

Intellectual Property and Technical Standards

Intellectual Property: Policies regarding intellectual property are 'described in section 10 of the call document'.
Standardization: The DSSC will engage in 'standards development initiatives' and promote 'common solutions for data infrastructure' and 'data governance models'.

Special Considerations

Consortium Requirement: This grant is specifically structured as a 'Coordination and Support Action' requiring a consortium for application and implementation.
Strategic Role: The successful consortium will operate as the Data Spaces Support Centre, playing a central role in coordinating, supporting, and promoting European data spaces initiatives.
Support to European Data Innovation Board (EDIB): The DSSC will directly support the work of the EDIB, including identifying cross-sector standards and best practices.
Inclusivity: The call emphasizes 'a particular attention' to involve 'startups and SMEs' in data spaces.

Grant Details