European Network of Excellence for Advancing AI in Strategic Scientific Domains

The objectives and expected outcomes focus on advancing scientific progress through the use of AI to address strategic challenges in agricultural sciences and environmental pollution sciences, establishing a pilot network of excellent laboratories operating as a virtual institute under the Resource for AI Science in Europe, creating a sustainable model of cooperation among leading labs and supporting the development of a strategic research agenda for AI in science, reinforcing the European AI in science community by attracting top talent and spreading excellence, and developing synergies with the Science for AI RAISE pilot call.

The scope of this action is to create a coordinated network of leading European research laboratories dedicated to collaborative AI-driven research in selected thematic areas, piloting the RAISE concept and aligning research efforts across Europe. The selected consortium will consist of research labs with strong experience in applying AI in scientific research, with at least half of the members demonstrating a proven track record in developing innovative AI solutions for scientific use. Consortia may include expertise from the Social Sciences and Humanities where relevant to achieving the project objectives.

The network of excellence will focus specifically on the application of AI in agricultural sciences and environmental pollution sciences. To achieve its objectives, the consortium will develop an ambitious strategic research agenda that identifies key scientific grand challenges addressable through AI, and will conduct collaborative research with clearly defined targets and milestones to tackle these challenges.

The total indicative budget for this Horizon Research and Innovation Action is approximately EUR 12.8 million. The action requires the use of financial support to third parties to broaden excellence and integrate complementary expertise, data, and AI models from across Europe. Support to third parties may reach up to EUR 60,000 per recipient through an open and objective selection process, and beneficiaries are expected to actively transfer knowledge to supported entities. Core consortium activities must account for at least 85 percent of the total budget, while third-party activities must be implemented through dedicated work packages. Eligible third parties must be established in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.

Participation in this action is open to any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries or international organisations, provided that the conditions set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation and any additional requirements of the specific call or topic are met. A legal entity may be a natural or legal person recognised under national, European Union, or international law, with legal personality and the capacity to exercise rights and obligations in its own name, or an entity without legal personality.

For more information, visit European Commission.