Open Call: Artificial Intelligence for Knowledge Valorisation (CSA)

Scope

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning present enormous opportunities to use scientific knowledge and research results faster and more effectively to create value, develop new products and services and address the needs of the societies. Despite leading in many fields of scientific research, Europe falls short in innovation and valorisation performance (what is known as “the innovation paradox”). Harnessing the power of AI to guide the efforts of researchers and innovators to bring results to the market, make their research more responsive to the needs of society and provide knowledge to inform public policies, can significantly contribute to addressing the innovation paradox. From results scouting to patent drafting, the role of AI to support knowledge valorisation presents ever-growing possibilities.
• One of the main reasons hampering valorisation of the knowledge generated by R&I actors in Europe is that researchers and innovators are not always aware of the valorisation opportunities of their research results and may struggle to adopt a concrete plan on how to generate value from their research.
• The action will provide an AI -powered valorisation toolbox, which will take into account EU policy and regulations on AI-ethics, as well as social sciences and humanities aspects, and can be used by researchers and innovators to identify the opportunities for valorisation as well as for guiding them towards market and societal uptake. This may include using AI for assessing feasibility under conditions, investigating legal frameworks that may be relevant to the uptake of the solutions, providing guidance on supporting instruments and funding mechanisms, supporting matching with investors, providing knowledge on the sector, investigating institutional and cultural aspects, citizens and consumer preferences. The use of AI may also focus on the efficient use of intellectual assets to raise awareness and guide R&I actors for the smart management of intellectual assets.

Topics

• Digital and industrial technologies driving human-centric innovation: New ways of working, assisted by technologies for physical or cognitive augmentation (exo-skeletons, digital twins, collaborative AI, virtual and extended reality) will increase efficiency, safety and quality of work, provided they are trustworthy, safe and reliable, as well as human-centric and free from gender, racial and other social biases by design.
• This destination is structured around the following headings:
  • Virtual Worlds: The objective of this heading is to gain industrial leadership in Virtual Worlds technology at large (eg. eXtended Reality technologies and immersive environments), while ensuring the European values of privacy, ethics and inclusiveness.
  • AI-GenAI/Data/Robotics: The GenAI4EU HUB aims to build a vibrant European GenAI ecosystem by fostering collaboration, visibility, and innovation across strategic sectors.
  • Standardisation and Knowledge Valorisation: Linked to the importance of deploying the results of research and innovation in the Union, in order to achieve economic, environmental and social outcomes, a number of topics in this Work Programme will support essential efforts in knowledge valorisation and standardisation; and in improving access to technology infrastructures.
  • International Cooperation: The proposed international coordination and support actions are aligned with the Commission’s international priorities. They will help build strong international digital partnerships and promote a human-centred digital agenda.

Funding Information

• Grant amount: 2,000,000

Expected Outcomes

• Proposals are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:
  • Swiftly valorise research results by market, society or policy making, powered by AI;
  • Tackle the innovation paradox in Europe, by supporting R&I actors to valorise their research through relevant AI tools;
  • Use AI to deliver valorisation roadmaps, business plans, partnerships and guide market uptake strategies in at least 100 use cases of research-based innovative solutions addressing societal challenges.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
  • the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
  • the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States: Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
  • countries associated to Horizon Europe:  Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

For more information, visit European Commission.