Deadline Date: August 25, 2026
The HEDGE-IoT Open Call is designed to empower SMEs and startups by providing financial support and resources to develop innovative, IoT-enabled, data-driven energy services within the HEDGE-IoT framework.
The key focus areas include optimizing energy demand and response, enhancing grid flexibility and real-time predictive management, and securing IoT-driven energy data and transactions. Through the open call, selected third parties will contribute to HEDGE-IoT’s technological advancements and validate their solutions in practical environments. The initiative supports the development of distributed digital solutions, interoperability, scalability, and advancements in energy consumer services and the EU’s energy transition.
The Open Call topics focus on advancing smart energy solutions through grid optimization, AI-driven forecasting and pricing, IoT and data-sharing technologies, DER integration, flexibility management, load monitoring, data interoperability, and scalable energy AI services.
Up to 18 projects will be funded through the second Open Call, depending on the available budget and the total funding requested by successful applicants. Selected applicants can receive up to €60,000 to cover eligible costs. The funding amount represents the maximum requested funding and is not considered the total budget of the proposed project.
Eligible costs include personnel, travel and subsistence, consumables and equipment up to 20% of the total budget, subcontracting up to 20% with proper justification, and 25% overhead costs on all other costs except subcontracting.
The Open Call is open to SMEs and startups legally established in Horizon Europe participating countries. Applicants must be profit-making SMEs or startups developing IoT-enabled and data-driven energy services. They must have a valid VAT number, be registered in the European Commission’s Participant Register with a valid Participant Identification Code (PIC), and submit the required SME declaration.
Proposals must be submitted in English using the official Proposal Template and should not exceed 10 pages or 10MB. Only single legal entities are eligible to apply, and each applicant can submit only one proposal. Applicants must select and address only one Open Call 2 topic, as multi-topic proposals will not be considered.
For more information, visit HEDGE-IoT.
