Innovative AI Methods And Technologies For The Process Industries (RIA) (Processes4Planet And AI, Data And Robotics Partnerships)
HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
Basic Information
- Identifier
- HORIZON-CL4-2026-02-DIGITAL-EMERGING-53-two-stage
- Programme
- INDUSTRY-two-stage
- Programme Period
- 2021 - 2027
- Status
- Open (31094502)
- Opening Date
- December 16, 2025
- Deadline
- March 17, 2026
- Deadline Model
- single-stage
- Budget
- €38,000,000
- Min Grant Amount
- €6,000,000
- Max Grant Amount
- €7,500,000
- Expected Number of Grants
- 6
- Keywords
- HORIZON-CL4-2026-02-DIGITAL-EMERGING-53-two-stageHORIZON-CL4-2026-02-two-stage
Description
Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:
- To develop and demonstrate innovative AI-driven solutions in materials and process development to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the process industries by better products and process technologies and reducing the time to market
- To increase the competitiveness of materials production in Europe by AI-supported optimal operation of plants and value networks and early detection of problems and failures
- To improve the working conditions in the plants by using AI technologies, metaverse, and robots.
Drastically improved AI methods and technologies hold transformative potential for the process industries, enabling advancements in process design, operational efficiency, and faster innovation across the entire lifecycle of plants and products. By using different AI approaches such as multimodal generative AI, foundation models, and agentic AI, the industry can move beyond conventional AI applications as e.g. predictive maintenance and quality control toward more intelligent, adaptive, and creative solutions.
AI-based solutions can deliver value at every stage of the process lifecycle. In design and engineering, they can enable new innovations and accelerate the development process. During operations, AI technologies can be employed to optimize processes, enhance reproducibility, adapt to changing conditions, and provide new forms of support for the workforce and enable autonomous operation. In value chains, AI can help to adapt faster and detect changing customer needs. These capabilities support faster innovation and strengthen competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape. However, realizing this potential requires careful consideration of risks related to reliability, security, and trust, ensuring that AI solutions are effective, safe, and responsible.
Proposals should produce dedicated innovative AI-based solutions for the process industry for one of the following scopes:
- More effective and faster development of new materials and processes
- Competitive and sustainable production, reducing the negative environmental impact of industry
- Reduction of risks for the health of the workforce and for the environment and making workplaces in the process industries more attractive.
In the projects, user acceptance and training of the users as well as integration into the OT/IT landscape of the companies should be taken into account, e.g. through active engagement in design, development and integration of systems and processes.
This topic is linked to the Apply AI Strategy, therefore proposals should seek collaboration with relevant initiatives.
Proposals should include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to Destination ‘Leadership in materials and production for Europe’.
This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnerships Processes4Planet and AI, Data and Robotics.
Destination & Scope
Leadership in frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, Photonics and Semiconductors is essential to Europe’s economic security and global competitiveness. Building on the ambition of becoming the “AI Continent” and in line with the concrete actions devised in the Apply AI Strategy[1], the EU will consolidate its world-class research ecosystem through initiatives like the RAISE network of AI science labs, the development of safe and efficient frontier AI models, and the deployment of next-generation AI agents and robotics in strategic sectors. In parallel, a long-term quantum strategy will reinforce Europe’s excellence across quantum computing, sensing and communication, supported by new infrastructures and standardisation to secure technological sovereignty. Photonics and semiconductor technologies will remain critical enablers for the digital and green transitions, with investments in advanced integrated photonic devices and resilient semiconductor ecosystems ensuring Europe’s capacity to innovate, scale and compete globally. Foresight and support to emerging materials and technologies will further strengthen Europe’s position at the cutting edge to make sure Europe’s does not miss the emergence of new disruptive technologies, aligning with the Draghi report and the Competitiveness Compass to secure a cohesive, sovereign and future-proof European industrial base.
Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination. For additional information please see “Restrictions on the participation of legal entities established in China” found in General Annex B of the General Annexes.
[1] COM(2025)723 Apply AI Strategy
Eligibility & Conditions
General conditions
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
Applicants submitting a proposal for a blind evaluation (see General Annex F) must not disclose their organisation names, acronyms, logos nor names of personnel in the proposal abstract and Part B of their first-stage application (see General Annex E).
In order to include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to Destination 'Leadership in materials and production for Europe', the page limit in part B of the General Annexes is exceptionally extended by 3 pages (for second-stage proposals).
2. Eligible Countries
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligible Conditions
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
The first-stage proposals of this topic will be evaluated blindly.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Stage 1: Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1 BLIND)
Stage 2: Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Stage 1: Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1 BLIND)
Stage 2: Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Information on financial support to third parties (HE)
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 14. Horizontal Activities
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Frequently Asked Questions About Innovative AI Methods And Technologies For The Process Industries (RIA) (Processes4Planet And AI, Data And Robotics Partnerships)
Support & Resources
Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.
Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.
National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).
Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding.
IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.
European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.
Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.
Latest Updates
The technical issue affecting the upload of part B to the proposal submission tool has now been resolved.
Dear Applicants,
Please note that, due to a technical issue, it is currently not possible to upload part B to the proposal submission tool. Our IT service is actively working to resolve the issue shortly.
We apologise for any temporary inconvenience caused.