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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

Core objective: Develop low-power Edge AI chip prototypes (reaching TRL 6-7) that integrate cutting-edge technologies like non-volatile memories, neuromorphic computing, 3D heterogeneous integration, and photonic connectivity, designed for industrial scaling and ultra-low power consumption.
Explicit identification of target recipient type and size: Organizations involved in research, development, and industrialization of microelectronics, specifically AI chips and related technologies.
MUST state if grant is 'SECTOR-SPECIFIC' or 'SECTOR-AGNOSTIC': SECTOR-SPECIFIC
Geographic scope and any location requirements: Primarily EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe. Projects must leverage state-of-the-art infrastructures within the Union, such as the Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) for Edge AI hardware (PREVAIL project) and Pilot Lines of the Chips for Europe Initiative.
Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: Focus on low-power Edge AI chips, prototypes at TRL 6-7, industrial scaling potential, and utilization of specific EU infrastructure.
Grant frequency and program context: This is a specific call within the HORIZON JU CHIPS program for 2025, part of the broader Horizon Europe framework and the 'Chips for Europe Initiative'. It is likely a one-time topic for this year within the overall program.

Financial Structure

Budget range per project: Minimum EUR 1,000,000 to Maximum EUR 20,000,000.
Total budget for this specific topic: EUR 20,000,000 for the year 2025.
Expected number of grants: 2.
Funding rate: For HORIZON JU Innovation Actions, the standard funding rate is typically 70% of eligible costs for for-profit organizations and 100% for non-profit organizations.
Eligible and ineligible costs: Detailed in Annex G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Generally includes direct costs (personnel, travel, equipment, other goods and services) and indirect costs (a flat rate of 25% of direct eligible costs, excluding certain costs).
Payment schedule and mechanisms: Not explicitly detailed in this document, but usually involves pre-financing, interim payments, and a final payment based on reporting.
Financial reporting requirements: Part of the grant agreement, described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type & Structure

Eligible organization types: Described in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Typically includes businesses (SMEs, large enterprises), research organizations, universities, and other legal entities.
Partnership or consortium requirements: This is a two-stage Innovation Action, which usually requires a consortium of at least three legal entities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

Geographic Location

Eligible countries: Described in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. This generally includes EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe. Specific provisions may allow funding for participants from some non-EU/non-Associated Countries, as outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Financial & Operational Capacity

Requirements: Described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity to successfully carry out the proposed project activities.

Technical & Project Requirements

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Prototypes must aim to reach TRL 6-7 (Technology demonstrated in relevant environment to system prototype demonstration in operational environment).
Infrastructure requirements: Projects are expected to leverage advanced state-of-the-art infrastructures within the Union, specifically mentioning the Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) for Edge AI hardware (PREVAIL project) and Pilot Lines from the Chips for Europe Initiative.

Application Process

Submission procedure: This grant operates under a two-stage submission process.
Planned opening date of submission system: 2025-03-04.
Stage 1 application deadline: 2025-04-29 (first deadline listed).
Stage 2 application deadline: 2025-09-17 (latest deadline listed).
Submission format and platform: Applications must be submitted via the online Submission System on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Required documentation: Proposal page limits and layout are described in Annex A and E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and in Part B of the specific Application Form available in the Submission System. Applicants will use the 'Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1)' for the first stage and 'Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)' for the second stage.

Evaluation & Selection

Evaluation criteria and scoring system: Described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Review process and timeline: Details on submission and evaluation processes, including indicative timelines, are described in Annex F of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

Application Assistance and Support

Support availability: A wide range of support is available, including the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs) in EU and Associated Countries, Enterprise Europe Network (especially for SMEs), IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, and CEN-CENELEC/ETSI Research Helpdesks for standardization advice.
Partner Search: A dedicated service is available to help applicants find partner organizations for their proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Horizon Europe Innovation Actions are typically evaluated based on three main criteria: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and efficiency of the implementation. Excellence

Clarity and pertinence of the project's objectives, and the extent to which they are ambitious and go beyond the current state-of-the-art in low-power Edge AI chips.
Soundness of the proposed methodology, including the appropriateness of the chosen TRL progression (to TRL 6-7).
Consideration of interdisciplinarity and, if relevant, the gender dimension in the research and innovation content.

Impact

Contribution to the expected outcomes: successful development of AI chip prototypes reaching TRL 6-7, effective leveraging of EU infrastructures (TEF, Pilot Lines), demonstration of robust AI capabilities (real-time inference, on-device learning, adaptive decision-making), and achievement of ultra-low power consumption.
Contribution to Europe's digital transformation and sustainability goals through energy-efficient and highly secure AI chips.
Driving the development of next-generation edge AI chips that combine high performance with ultra-low power consumption.
Potential for industrial scaling of the developed prototypes.
Relevance to enabling real-time, on-chip AI capabilities for applications in critical fields such as mobile communication networks (e.g., 6G), autonomous systems, industrial automation, and healthcare.

Quality and efficiency of the implementation

Coherence and effectiveness of the proposed work plan, including the appropriateness of the resources allocated to work packages and tasks.
Appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources within the consortium.
Complementarity of the participants within the consortium, ensuring the necessary expertise is collectively brought to the project.
Appropriateness of the management structures and procedures to ensure efficient project execution and timely delivery of results.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory & Legal Compliance

General conditions: Admissibility, eligibility criteria, financial and operational capacity, and legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in Annexes A, B, C, F, and G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
EU Financial Regulation: Compliance with EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.
Legal Entity Validation: Adherence to Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment.

Data Protection & Intellectual Property

Data protection and privacy: General data protection principles apply as per EU regulations.
Intellectual Property (IP) policies: Governed by the Model Grant Agreement (MGA). Applicants should consult the HE MGA for specifics on IP rights and obligations.

Ethical Standards

Ethical requirements: Projects must adhere to ethical principles and good research practices. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outlines general principles and requirements for researchers, employers, and funders.

Technical & Infrastructure Compliance

Technology specifications: Prototypes must demonstrate robust AI capabilities (real-time inference, on-device learning, adaptive decision-making) and achieve ultra-low power consumption.
Infrastructure utilization: Mandatory leveraging of specific EU facilities like the Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) for Edge AI hardware (PREVAIL project) and Pilot Lines from the Chips for Europe Initiative.

Special Considerations

Innovation Action (IA): This grant focuses on close-to-market solutions, evidenced by the TRL 6-7 requirement, aiming for prototypes with industrial scaling potential.
Sustainability: A key aspect of the grant is the contribution to Europe's sustainability goals through the development of energy-efficient AI operations.
Two-stage submission: Requires careful planning for both a concise Stage 1 proposal and a comprehensive Stage 2 full proposal, with distinct deadlines.

Grant Details