AI Factory Antennas

The page limit of the application is 70 pages.

The admissibility conditions of the Horizon Europe projects are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Specifically for this call, applicants should provide:

1. A description of the national AI ecosystem(s) their AI Factories Antenna aims to target
2. A description of the features their AI Factories Antenna will have in terms of activities and service offering.
3. A description of how the AI Factory Antenna will cooperate and synergise with the established AI Factory it will be linked with, extending/enhancing/complementing the services and activities it provides currently or in the future.

In detail the Applicants should structure their proposal as follows:

a. A general description of the concept of the proposal and the needs for an AI Factory Antenna

1) Concept of the AI Factory Antenna

a) Vision, Rationale and Objectives of the proposed AI Factory Antenna.

b) A roadmap for developing the national AI ecosystem(s) and how it would be served, justifying the need for setting up the AI Factory Antenna.

2) Targeted key Industrial sectors and Applications and targeted Stakeholders and their needs:

a) Description of the key industrial/application sectors as well as of the key obstacles to overcome to further develop the AI innovation ecosystem in these sectors.

b) Presentation of a convincing plan for attracting key AI stakeholders from these sectors.

c) Description of any plans the Applicants to include internal or external cloud solutions to bridge the needs towards an end-to-end computing continuum.

3) Links to a national AI strategy, and national data and access policies to computing and data:

a) Description of how the AI Factory Antenna proposal is linked to the national AI Strategy / Strategies or equivalent[[In the absence of a formal national AI strategy, the Applicants will need to describe the strategic national (or Consortium) character of their AI Factory Antenna approach.]] of the Applicant(s).

b) Description of how the AI Factory Antenna is linked to a current National Data Policy of the hosting entity or the hosting consortium, enabling access to large datasets. If this does not exist, description of a plan to make available large data sets to the AI Factory Antenna ecosystem.

c) Where relevant, description of an AI user-friendly access policy of the AI Factory Antenna to the national share of computing time of the associated EuroHPC supercomputer and how it will contribute to the development of the national AI Ecosystem.

4) Unless otherwise agreed with the established AI Factory, Applicants must outline an indicative financial contribution plan, specifying how the AI Factory Antenna will support the established AI Factory in terms of, for example, in kind or in cash contribution [for example, participation in the capital expenditure (Capex) or operational expenditure (Opex) of the AI optimised supercomputer of the established AI Factory ] for access to the AI-optimised supercomputing resources and to any of the respective services of the established AI Factory. A preliminary agreement between the AI Factory Antenna and the established AI Factory may be documented in the Letter of Intent. In the Annex of this ‘Letter of Intent’, a short overview of the main association conditions agreed between the respective parties should be described as well as the financial conditions of this association (if any). If the proposal is selected, the ‘Letter of Intent’ will be formalised into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) upon selection.

5) Overall plan for networking the AI Factory Antenna with the other EuroHPC AI Factories and Antennas.

6) Overall plan for linking the AI Factory Antenna to a national strategy for startups/SMEs: description of the plans the Applicants have for linking the AI Factory Antenna ecosystem with relevant national/regional investment measures targeted at startups and SMEs.

b. A detailed description of the AI Factory Antenna data facilities and services and its networking with other AI Factories and AI Factories Antennas:

1. AI Factory Antenna tools and services

• Overview of the user support services: This includes: (i) Description of the range of services that the AI Factory Antenna will provide to the AI ecosystem (e.g., guidance for using the HPC environment, adapting the computational tasks associated to the training and fine- tuning of the AI models and related inference activities to the HPC environment, etc.). (ii) Description of a plan for servicing private and public national users as well as users from other EuroHPC Participating States. (iii) Description of the foreseen professional user support plan, describing the range of user support activities (i.e., how the AI Factory Antenna plans to engage with and serve the broader AI community – from startups, SMEs and large industry to academia and research institutions – and how will these professional services be provided). (iv) Description of the resources required to support the established AI Factory in providing a well-functioning user support service.
• Computing, Software and application development environments: description of any (small scale) AI computing resources available or to be acquired by and become available under the AI Factory antenna, as well as the software environment the AI Factory Antenna will support the AI Factory in delivering, including ready-to-use set of AI-oriented tools containerized workloads and workflows, etc.

2. Data facilities, access to data, confidentiality and integrity of data

1. Data facilities: Description of the data repositories and data assets that the AI Factory Antenna plans to make available to the AI ecosystem.
2. Access to Common European Data Spaces, including preliminary agreements on the principles of an access and use, establishing relevant data repositories (e.g., Hugging Face).
3. Plans for establishing secure and trusted environments, for guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data and for ensuring the integrity of computational processes.

3. Trustworthy AI: description of the plans the Applicants have for developing of robust guidelines and standards for AI algorithmic development aligned with the principles and requirements of the AI Act.

4. AI Factory Antenna Hub facilities (where relevant)

1. co-working space facilities: description of the plans the Applicants have for making available co-working space physical facilities, possibly complemented also by virtual working spaces.
2. hosting facilities for AI students: and description of the Applicants Plans for making available a physical campus hosting AI students located nearby or associated to the established AI Factory.

5. AI Factory Antenna training facilities

1. Skills plan: Description of the AI Factory Antenna Skills Plan outlining the skills needed for the targeted AI stakeholders, including a description of a diverse range of training courses, complementary training facilities and activities and timelines tailored to the varying needs of potential users.
2. Access to human capital: in house and external direct access to the necessary human capital and talent to provide the necessary education/training activities planned. This includes plans for collaboration and engagement with universities to train and equip students at all levels with the necessary in-demand AI skills.

6. Detailed plans for networking the AI Factory Antenna with existing European and national initiatives and with other EuroHPC AI Factories and AI Factory Antennas.

1. Networking with other existing European and national AI & HPC initiatives: Detailed plans for linking the AI Factory Antenna with European and national AI and HPC initiatives such as TEFs, EDIH, National HPC Competence Centres, ALT-EDIC, or others, and to engage with them while avoiding duplication of efforts.
2. Networking with other AI Factories and AI Factories Antennas: Detailed plans for linking the AI Factory Antenna with other established AI Factories and AI Factory Antennas once they become operational in order to network, exchange best practice, share experiences, and avoid duplication of efforts.

c. A description of the AI Factory Antenna Implementation Plan:

1. Implementation plan and risk management: Applicants should provide an indicative implementation plan, an organisational structure and roles for the management of the AI Factory Antenna, and a project timeline with phases for the establishment of the AI Factory Antenna. Applicants should also include a risk management approach by identifying potential risks and mitigation strategies. Applicants should also indicate a timeline for the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding with the established AI Factory to take place if selected. This Memorandum of Understanding should set out agreed activities and milestones to deliver these activities.
2. Key performance indicators (KPIs): Applicants should provide a description of a set of KPIs and metrics that the Applicant(s) will use to measure the contributions to the success of the activities of the AI Factory Antenna and associated AI ecosystem. (see European Commission Concept Paper found in the Annex 1 of this Call for Proposals for more information)
3. Budget estimate of the proposal: Applicants should provide an estimated budget the establishment of the AI Factory Antenna, including development, implementation and expected operational costs.

d. A comprehensive description of the expected Impacts of the AI Factory Antenna:

Applicants should describe the pathways to achieve the expected outcomes and expected impacts and the measures they will take for maximising these expected outcomes and impacts.

Proposal page limits (70 pages) and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

The eligibility conditions of the Horizon Europe projects are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

The following additional eligibility criteria apply:

To be eligible under this call, proposals by EuroHPC Participating States for establishing an AI Factory Antenna must fulfil the following two conditions:

• The Participating State must not have established yet an AI Factory or be already partner of a selected AI Factory;
• The proposal must include a (pre- agreed) association with an established AI Factory.

The consortium may exceptionally be composed of only a single legal entity or a consortium of entities from a EuroHPC Participating State.

In order to achieve the expected outcomes, entities established in countries with which association to Horizon Europe negotiations are being finalised and/or pending ratification, and which have committed to join the EuroHPC JU in the year when the call is launched, are eligible to participate. However, even if such entities are selected, the Grant Agreement can only be signed if the association with the Horizon Europe has started producing legal effects, and if the Governing Board of EuroHPC JU has confirmed membership of the new Participating State. Entities or consortia of entities that are already beneficiaries of an AI Factory grant and are fulfilling the conditions specified in Article 9 of the EuroHPC Regulation are ineligible to apply for this Call. Participation in more than one AI Factory Antenna is not permitted.

The consortium may exceptionally be composed of only a single legal entity or a consortium of entities from a single EuroHPC Participating State.

In order to achieve the expected outcomes, entities established in countries with which association to Horizon Europe negotiations are being finalised and/or pending ratification, and which have committed to join the EuroHPC JU in the year when the call is launched, are eligible to participate. However, even if such entities are selected, the Grant Agreement can only be signed if the association with the Horizon Europe has started producing legal effects, and if the Governing Board of EuroHPC JU has confirmed membership of the new Participating State. Entities or consortia of entities that are already beneficiaries of an AI Factory grant and are fulfilling the conditions specified in Article 9 of the EuroHPC Regulation are ineligible to apply for this Call. Participation in more than one AI Factory Antenna is not permitted.

Otherwise, the eligibility conditions are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Financial and operational capacity criteria and exclusion situations of Horizon Europe grants are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

This action is an EU Synergy call. Grants and procurements can be linked with another grant funded from any other EU funding programme and must partially be funded by a EuroHPC JU Participating State.

This Call for Proposals will be evaluated by a peer review process against the evaluation criteria detailed below:

a. Vision, plans and capability of the AI Factory Antenna to address the challenges of the Artificial Intelligence start-up ecosystem, and research and innovation ecosystem and the Artificial Intelligence user community and providing a supportive centralised or distributed Artificial Intelligence-oriented supercomputing service

• Contribution, clarity and pertinence of an AI Factory Antenna being linked to an established AI Factory, in terms of vision, rationale, objectives, development roadmap, targeted key industry sectors and stakeholders, internal or external cloud solutions planned to bridge the needs towards an end-to-end computing continuum and networking with other initiatives.
• Contribution, clarity and pertinence of an AI Factory Antenna being linked to an established AI Factory data facility, access to data, confidentiality and integrity of data.
• Pertinence of the links of the AI Factory Antenna to the respective national AI Strategy, national data and access policies to computing and data, and to a national strategy for investing in startups/SMEs.
• Quality and efficiency of the Implementation Roadmap, including its deliverables and milestones, the risk management approach and the Key performance Indicators.
• Clarity and pertinence of the plans to invest in physical and virtual infrastructure, including in (small scale) AI computing resources, required for the AI Factory Antenna.
• Soundness of the AI Factory Antenna’s budget.
• Credibility of the pathways to achieve the expected outcomes and expected impacts.
• Suitability and quality of the measures to maximise expected outcomes and impacts.

b. Quality and pertinence of experience and know-how available from the applicant entity that would provide Artificial Intelligence-oriented supercomputing service environment

• Quality and pertinence of experience and know-how available from the applicant entity that will support the established Artificial Intelligence-oriented supercomputing service environment.
• Quality and pertinence of the AI Factory Antenna user support services, including the quality and efficiency of the plan for offering professional services.
• Quality and pertinence of the AI Factory Antenna tools and software and application development environments.

c. Plans for interaction and cooperation of the AI Factory Antenna with the established AI Factory, other established AI Factories, and other AI Factory Antennas with EuroHPC Competence Centres and EuroHPC Centres of Excellence, and with relevant Artificial Intelligence activities such as the hubs of Artificial Intelligence start-ups, the Artificial Intelligence and data ecosystems, the Artificial Intelligence Testing and Experimentation Facilities, the European central Artificial Intelligence platform, the Artificial Intelligence-oriented Digital Innovation Hubs and other related initiatives.

• Quality and pertinence of the proposed AI Factory Antenna.
• Clarity and pertinence of the networking activities of the AI Factory Antenna with established European and national initiatives and with other EuroHPC AI Factories.
• Soundness of the plans of the AI Factory Antenna for developing Trustworthy AI.
• Clarity on how the activities of the AI Factory Antenna are complimentary with the established AI Factory and not overlapping with established or future National Competence Centres (NCCs). As a reminder, the NCCs should establish and maintain a network of national HPC users, promote HPC use and uptake in the private and public sector and reach out to new potential users. This includes awareness raising and outreach activities to communicate the benefits of HPC to potential users with a specific focus on SMEs. The NCCs should foster the development of the necessary expertise, especially for HPC applications, of the local communities and relevant national stakeholders in collaboration with other NCCs and European initiatives. Furthermore, the role of NCCs is limited to providing HPC expertise, training, advisory and consultancy services rather than engaging directly in operational activities of clients and stakeholders.

d. Existing capabilities and future plans of the AI Factory Antenna to contribute to the development of the talent pool

• Pertinence and effectiveness of existing capabilities and future plans of the hosting entity to contribute to the development of the talent pool.
• Quality and pertinence of structured training facilities and training programmes highlighting relevant courses, activities, and learning pathways tailored to meet the diverse needs of potential users.
• Quality and pertinence of strategy to foster collaboration and engagement with universities, research centres and other training providers to train and equip students at all levels with the necessary in-demand AI skills.

Applicants to this call will need to submit the following documents :

1. Applicants must provide a Letter(s) of Support proving the commitment of the Participating State to the AI Factory Antenna proposal and the commitment of this Participating State to cover the expenses of the proposal not covered by the EU contribution. Such commitment letter should be provided by an authorised representative of the Participating State.
2. Applicants representing an AI Factory Antenna must provide a Letter of Intent co-signed with the consortium leader of an established AI Factory agreeing to their association, setting out how it will be linked with this established AI Factory. The AI Factory Antenna will be expected to substantiate how it can work in close cooperation and synergy with the established AI Factory extending the services it provides currently and in the future. This ‘Letter of Intent’ should also include an Annex providing a short overview of the main association conditions agreed between the respective parties and should include the financial conditions of such an association (if any). If the proposal is selected, this ‘Letter of Intent’ will be turned into a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’.

The evaluation procedure is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The granting authority will fund applications that meet all the evaluation criteria and subject to the ranking list approved by the EuroHPC Governing Board.

described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Grants awarded under this topic will be linked to the so called AI Factory calls: EUROHPC-2024-CEI-AI-01 and EUROHPC-2024-CEI-AI-02 and to grants awarded under HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2025-AI-01-IBA. The collaboration agreement needs to be detailed in the Letter of Intent / Memorandum of Undrestanding cosigned with on of the awardee of the HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2025-AI-01-IBA call.

The funding rate is 50 % of the eligible costs as the other 50% is expected to be covered by the Participating State the applicant is based in.

Applicants to this call will need to submit the following documents :

Applicants must provide a Letter(s) of Support proving the commitment of the Participating State to the AI Factory Antenna proposal and the commitment of this Participating State to cover the expenses of the proposal not covered by the EU contribution. Such commitment letter should be provided by an authorised representative of the Participating State.

Applicants representing an AI Factory Antenna must provide a Letter of Intent co-signed with the consortium leader of an established AI Factory agreeing to their association, setting out how it will be linked with this established AI Factory. The AI Factory Antenna will be expected to substantiate how it can work in close cooperation and synergy with the established AI Factory extending the services it provides currently and in the future.

This ‘Letter of Intent’ should also include an Annex providing a short overview of the main association conditions agreed between the respective parties and should include the financial conditions of such an association (if any). If the proposal is selected, this ‘Letter of Intent’ will be turned into a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (see below).

The participants should conclude a consortium agreement between members of the consortium in case of a multi-beneficiary application to set out their internal arrangements for implementing the project and the administration of the EU grant.

Purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets used for the action must be declared as depreciation costs. Moreover, the costs of equipment or infrastructure, purchased specifically for this action (or developed as part of the action tasks) to provide (small scale) AI compute resources for the fine tuning, testing and validation of AI applications complementing the AI-optimised computing resources provided by its linked AI Factory, may exceptionally be declared as full capitalised costs.

The total indicative budget for the AI Factory Antenna call is up to EUR 70 million. The maximum amount of the EU contribution (up to 50 % of the total eligible costs) that may be allocated to an AI Factory Antenna for a duration of up to 3 years is up to EUR 5 million and is subject to EU budget availability. Further details are described in Annex G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 General Annexes.