ENFIELD – Innovation Scheme Open Call

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming every aspect of modern society offering the potential for inclusive economic growth, societal benefits, and innovative solutions to global challenges. Nonetheless, AI tools can be error-prone, giving rise to concerns about legal liability and the preservation of fundamental human rights. Global leaders have discussed the need to address AI challenges and maximize its benefits and as a result, the European Commission launched important initiatives like HUMANE , TAYLOR , and ELISE to ensure AI becomes more human-centric, safe, transparent, and to reinforce Europe’s position in AI and Machine Learning (ML). However, there are certain AI perspectives and application areas, which have not been tackled with a sufficient attention by the funded Networks of Excellence despite being of paramount importance to Europe in the present geopolitical and climate chance circumstances. Thus, the ENFIELD project is dedicated to developing, maintaining, scaling-up and sustaining a vibrant European network on AI composed of 30 consortium members from 18 countries, including top-level education and research organisations, large scale businesses, SMEs, and public sector representatives jointly addressing critical issues of research and innovation frontiers in this new topic of the European AI Lighthouse.

Objectives

• ENFIELD aims to create a unique European Centre of Excellence that excels the fundamental research in the areas of Adaptive, Green, Human-Centric, and Trustworthy AI. These pillars are strategic and of paramount importance to successful AI development, deployment, and acceptance in Europe and will further advance the research within verticals of Healthcare, Energy, Manufacturing, and Space. By attracting the best talents, technologies, and resources from worldclass research and industry players in Europe and by carrying out top-level research activities in synchronisation with industry challenges, ENFIELD project will contribute to reinforce a competitive EU position in AI and create significant socio-economic impact for the benefit of European citizens and businesses.

Funding Information

• A total budget of 1.100.000 € is allocated by ENFIELD for funding the participation of at least 18 beneficiaries in Innovation Schemes. This first call is expected to select 8 beneficiaries.
• Successful applicants will receive a grant that cannot surpass 60.000€. The grant will be paid as follows: 50% with grant signature + 50% with expected outcome/deliverable.
• When the beneficiaries are private-for-profit organisations, once determined the total estimated cost for the proposal, the exact amount of financial support to be granted as a lump sum will be calculated as 70% of the eligible cost, following the rules of the Horizon Europe programme.
• Applicants will have to submit a budget overview for the implementation of their proposal, including the expected costs concerning Staff Costs; Travel Costs; Equipment/Tech Consumables Costs (depreciation) and, whenever required, Subcontracting Costs. Following the standard flat rate applicable in the Horizon Europe programme, a flat rate of 25% for overheads will be applied.
• All payments will be subject to tax and other reductions according to the laws of all involved countries. Tax and other reductions are the responsibility of the applicant.
• Multiple applications are possible under this call. In these cases, applicants need to submit one application form per project proposal. However, only one proposal can be awarded per applicant.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible, proposals must be presented by one legal entity (or a group of a minimum of 2 legal entities) meeting the following criteria:
  • Must be a research center (legal entity) or private-for-profit company (including start-ups, SMEs, and large companies) with no conflicts of interest with any of the ENFIELD partner organizations.
  • Must be based in EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries.
  • Applications need to be submitted by the deadline of the call.
  • Late applications will not be admitted.
  • Applications must be submitted in English. Applications submitted in any other language will not be eligible.
  • Project duration is limited to a maximum of six (6) months.
  • Applicants can submit multiple applications, but only one of them can be funded.

For more information, visit ENFIELD.