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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to strengthen the European fabless start-up and SME ecosystem by establishing a sustainable coordination and knowledge hub. It aims to drive collective growth and innovation within the semiconductor sector. - Target recipients: Fabless start-ups, SMEs, and small mid-caps operating in Europe. - SECTOR-SPECIFIC: This grant is highly specific to the semiconductor and microelectronics industry, focusing on fabless companies. - Geographic scope: Europe, specifically EU Member States and potentially associated countries as defined by Horizon Europe rules. - Key filtering criteria: Must be a 'fabless' company (designing chips, outsourcing manufacturing), located in Europe, and classified as a start-up, SME, or small mid-cap. The proposal must aim to support the broader European fabless ecosystem. - Grant frequency: This is a specific topic within the annual Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025. While Horizon Europe has recurring calls, this specific topic ('CSA') typically funds a single action to achieve its stated objectives.

Financial Structure

Funding amount: A single grant of 1,000,000.0 EUR is expected for this specific topic.
Currency: EUR.
Funding type: This is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA).
Co-financing requirements: Not explicitly stated in the provided text. For CSAs under Horizon Europe, the funding rate is typically 100% of eligible costs, but refer to Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes for definitive financial rules.
Eligible costs: General conditions for eligible and ineligible costs are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Typically, this includes personnel costs, travel, equipment, other goods and services, and indirect costs.
Indirect cost policies: Details are in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Standard Horizon Europe rules usually apply (e.g., a flat rate of 25% of direct eligible costs, excluding subcontracting costs).
Payment schedule and mechanisms: Details typically outlined in the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) and Annex G, often involving pre-financing, interim payments, and a final payment.
Financial reporting requirements: Required as per the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) and Horizon Europe financial rules, including periodic and final financial reports.
Audit requirements: May be required, especially for larger grants, as per the rules defined in Annex G and the MGA.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type & Size

Eligible organization types: Fabless start-ups, SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), and small mid-caps.
Definition of 'fabless': Companies that specialize in the design and development of integrated circuits and semiconductors, but outsource the manufacturing process to external foundries.
Consortium requirement: Applicants must form a consortium capable of establishing and maintaining a 'sustainable organization or network' (potentially an open industry association) to represent the interests of European fabless SMEs.
Organizational structure preferences: The action should be coordinated and driven by 'relevant representative European start-up and SME stakeholders operating in the field'.

Geographic Location

Eligible countries: Organisations established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
EU Member States include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Associated Countries: (Specific list not provided, refer to Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes for the definitive list, but typically includes countries like Norway, Iceland, UK, Israel, etc.)

Qualifications & Experience

Focus: Proven expertise and operations within the semiconductor industry, particularly in fabless design and related technologies (AI chips, low-power computing, autonomous driving, integrated photonics).
Track record: Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to foster collaboration, provide support services, and advocate for fabless SMEs.

Exclusion Criteria

Organizations not involved in the fabless semiconductor sector.
Organizations not established in eligible European countries or associated countries.

Application Process

Application Process Timeline

Planned opening date for submissions: 2025-06-10.
Application deadline: 2025-10-02 at 00:00:00.000+0000 (Central European Time, likely).
Submission model: Single-stage submission process.
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: Described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes (not provided in this document).

Submission Materials & Procedure

Submission platform: Applications must be submitted via the Electronic Submission Service on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Required documentation: The specific application form for this call ('Standard application form HE CSA') is available in the Submission System. Applicants must adhere to the page limits and layout described in Part B of the Application Form and Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation form: Standard evaluation form (HE CSA) will be used with necessary adaptations.
Model Grant Agreement (MGA): The 'HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based' MGA applies.

Application Assistance and Support

General Guidance: Refer to the HE Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and FAQ section.
Specific Enquiries: The Research Enquiry Service for general questions on European research, and the IT Helpdesk for technical submission issues.
National Support: National Contact Points (NCPs) offer guidance and assistance in various countries. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) provides advice to businesses, especially SMEs.
Intellectual Property (IPR): The European IPR Helpdesk offers assistance on intellectual property issues.
Standardization: CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on standardization in project proposals.
Partner Search: The portal allows for partner search to help form consortia.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria are detailed in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Based on the grant's scope and expected outcomes, proposals will likely be assessed on the following: Impact

Extent to which the proposed action will significantly strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy and economic security in the semiconductor sector.
Effectiveness in driving collective growth and innovation among European fabless start-ups, SMEs, and mid-caps.
Clarity and feasibility of establishing a 'sustainable and active organization or network' (e.g., an industry association) to represent fabless SMEs.
Potential to facilitate meaningful dialogue and advocacy between fabless SMEs and key European stakeholders, including public authorities and industrial actors.
Ability to create a comprehensive platform providing easy access to essential information (funding, policy, technological updates) for fabless SMEs.
Contribution to enhancing the visibility, engagement, and influence of fabless SMEs in high-profile forums and EU policy-making.
Quality and relevance of targeted services aimed at supporting startup acceleration and scaling, especially in advanced semiconductor technologies like AI chips, low-power computing, autonomous driving, and integrated photonics.
Effectiveness in fostering a collaborative and inclusive European fabless ecosystem.
Alignment and coordination with relevant EU programs and initiatives, such as the Chips for Europe Initiative, the Chips Joint Undertaking, and IPCEIs on Microelectronics.

Quality & Implementation

Soundness and innovativeness of the proposed coordination and support activities.
Coherence and effectiveness of the proposed organizational structure for the hub/network.
Quality of the proposed work plan, including the allocation of tasks, resources, and timelines.
Appropriateness of the methodology for achieving the expected outcomes.
Expertise and experience of the consortium members in the relevant field of fabless semiconductors and ecosystem building.
Feasibility and sustainability of the proposed organization or network beyond the grant period.

Excellence

Scientific/technological credibility and understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the fabless semiconductor ecosystem.
Ambition and transformative potential of the proposed action to address the identified gaps in Europe's fabless market share.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory & Legal Compliance

Admissibility Conditions: Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout specified in Annex A and E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Eligible Countries: Participation is restricted to countries defined in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Financial and Operational Capacity: Applicants must meet the financial and operational capacity requirements and exclusion criteria outlined in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Legal & Financial Set-up: The legal and financial set-up of the grants is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Ethical & Data Standards

Ethical standards: Proposals must adhere to general ethical principles, likely detailed in relevant Annexes and EU regulations.
Data protection and privacy: Compliance with the Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement is required.

Strategic Alignment & Impact

Strategic Autonomy: The grant strongly emphasizes strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy in digital and emerging enabling technologies, particularly in semiconductors.
Ecosystem Strengthening: The core requirement is to establish a sustainable organization or network that fosters collaboration and supports the European fabless ecosystem.
Policy Alignment: Proposed actions should align with and promote dialogue with EU policymakers and key industrial actors, enhancing the visibility of fabless SMEs in EU policy-making.
AI and Digital Agenda: Proposals are expected to contribute to the cross-cutting priorities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Digital Agenda.
Chips for Europe Initiative: Direct links and coordination with initiatives like the Chips for Europe Initiative, the Chips Joint Undertaking, and IPCEIs on Microelectronics are crucial.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property policies: Details regarding IP ownership and exploitation are typically outlined in the Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The European IPR Helpdesk is available for support.

Grant Details