Objectives

The focus of this call is to select new EDIHs from Seals of Excellence in four associated countries (Albania, North Macedonia, Türkyie and Ukraine).

With increased experience and capacities, the EDIHs will continue providing the complete set of services of an EDIH, including the necessary infrastructure, focusing primarily on specific geographical areas and covering the digital transformation needs of local SMEs, mid-caps and/or public sector organisations. Considering the transformation potential of AI technologies, these will be a reinforced focus of EDIHs’ operations under this call.

The enlargement of the EDIHs network will be pivotal in supporting the wide deployment and uptake of European AI technologies, solutions and tools and in promoting the adoption of other crucial digital technologies, while upholding Union values and human-centric perspective.

Furthermore, the network will harness the potential of green digital technologies, advancing Europe’s collective climate and environmental goals. This approach not only enhances the resilience of Europe’s industry but also boosts its strategic autonomy. With its enhanced presence in countries associated to Digital Europe, the EDIH network will help bridge technology gaps, and support competitiveness and economic convergence.

EDIHs are part of the AI innovation ecosystems in the EU which also encompass infrastructures such as AI Factories, AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs), AI on Demand Platform implemented through the Deploy AI Initiative, and the forthcoming AI skills Academy, Generative AI pilots for public administrations and AI Regulatory sandboxes. The EDIHs will closely collaborate with European AI innovation infrastructures, in particular with AI factories, the AI-on-demand platform and AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities to ensure a flexible journey for European companies to benefit fully from these AI innovation infrastructures.

Submission Conditions

• Submission Method: Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System.

• Proposal Structure:

  • Part A: Administrative information about the participants and summarised budget.

  • Part B: Technical description of the project.

  • Mandatory Annex: Letter of designation by the country, demonstrating that the submitted proposal has been designated by the country.

• Page Limit: Proposals are limited to a maximum of 70 pages (Part B).

Eligible Types of Businesses

The call targets entities or consortia whose coordinators have been designated by Associated Countries through a national process. Typical entities contributing to an EDIH include:

• Research & Technology Organisations (RTOs)

• University labs offering technology services

• Partners with expertise in business development, public sector innovation, or training, such as chambers of commerce, industrial clusters, industry associations, the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), incubators, vocational training centres, or similar.