Go Back
Description
Expected Outcome
Scope
Partner Requests
Contact
Related Fundings
Add to favorites:
Share:

Preparing a European Autonomous Driving Stack Ecosystem Building on Next-generation SDV Software and Hardware Computing Architectures

Description

This Innovation Action (IA) aims to strengthen Europe's leadership in Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) by establishing a collaborative ecosystem for developing an open, secure and scalable European autonomous driving stack. The topic supports the integration of next-generation automotive software and hardware computing architectures to accelerate the deployment of safe, trustworthy and interoperable autonomous driving technologies. It seeks to reinforce European competitiveness across the automotive value chain while reducing dependence on non-European digital platforms and strengthening Europe's technological sovereignty in connected and autonomous mobility.

Funding Amount

Maximum EU budget for the topic

  • EUR 45 million

Expected EU contribution per project

  • Approximately EUR 15 million, although proposals requesting different amounts may be submitted where appropriately justified.
  • The topic is expected to fund up to three projects.

Submission Deadlines

  • Call launch: 7 July 2026
  • Submission deadline (Full Proposal): 22 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels Time

This is a one-stage call.

Eligible Types of Businesses

The call is open to organisations eligible under the Chips Joint Undertaking and Horizon Europe rules, including:

  • SMEs
  • Large enterprises
  • Automotive OEMs
  • Tier-1 automotive suppliers
  • Semiconductor manufacturers
  • Automotive software developers
  • Electronics and embedded systems companies
  • High-performance computing providers
  • Universities
  • Research institutes
  • Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs)
  • Other eligible legal entities

Projects should involve stakeholders across the European automotive and semiconductor value chains, bringing together expertise in automotive software, embedded systems, AI, semiconductor technologies, functional safety and vehicle computing architectures.

Eligible Countries

Participation is limited to legal entities established in:

  • EU Member States;
  • EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway);
  • Horizon Europe Associated Countries;
  • OECD countries;
  • Mercosur countries;
  • countries that have signed a Digital Partnership or Trade and Technology Council (TTC) agreement with the European Union.

Additional security provisions apply under the Chips Joint Undertaking. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may be subject to participation restrictions where they cannot provide the required security guarantees.

Submission Conditions

  • Innovation Action (IA).
  • One-stage submission process.
  • Co-funded with National Funding Authorities (NFA).
  • Projects should establish a collaborative European ecosystem rather than develop isolated technical solutions.
  • Proposals should demonstrate clear industrial exploitation pathways and contribute to European technological sovereignty in autonomous mobility.
  • Maximum EU contribution to a single partner is limited to 30% of the total EU funding.
  • Standard Chips JU and Horizon Europe admissibility, eligibility and evaluation rules apply.

Expected Outcome

Projects are expected to deliver:

  • a collaborative European ecosystem for Software-Defined Vehicles and autonomous driving technologies;
  • validated open software and hardware architectures supporting next-generation autonomous vehicles;
  • improved interoperability between automotive hardware platforms, embedded software and AI-based driving functions;
  • strengthened European capabilities in automotive semiconductor technologies and high-performance computing;
  • accelerated industrial deployment of secure, scalable and trustworthy SDV platforms;
  • enhanced collaboration across the European automotive, semiconductor and software industries, reducing fragmentation and strengthening technological sovereignty.

Scope

Projects should establish a collaborative European SDV ecosystem by developing and validating next-generation software and hardware platforms for autonomous driving. Activities should address several of the following areas:

  • developing open and interoperable SDV software architectures supporting automated and autonomous driving;
  • integrating high-performance automotive computing platforms with advanced semiconductor technologies;
  • developing middleware, operating systems and runtime environments enabling modular, software-defined vehicle functions;
  • supporting interoperability between hardware, software, AI algorithms and cloud-edge infrastructures;
  • enabling secure, safety-critical and trustworthy automotive computing architectures compliant with European standards;
  • demonstrating integrated autonomous driving stacks through representative use cases and cross-border validation scenarios;
  • promoting collaboration across OEMs, semiconductor manufacturers, software developers, Tier-1 suppliers, research organisations and SMEs to establish a sustainable European ecosystem.

Projects should contribute to building common European technology platforms that facilitate reuse, interoperability and future industrial deployment while complementing existing European automotive initiatives.

Partner Requests

Explore Real Collaboration Opportunities

🔍 As a logged-in member, you now have exclusive access to all active Partner Requests for this Funding Call.
See who’s looking for collaborators, explore exciting project ideas, and discover how others are planning to make an impact.

💡 Use these insights to get inspired—or take the next step and start a request of your own (first 3 entries for free).

Log in or registrate here for free.

Ask our experts about this call

Connect with the Listing Owner!

💬 Please log in now to send a direct message to our experts and ask your questions. Not a member yet? Sign up for free and start connecting today!

Related Funding and Finance Opportunities

Unlock Exclusive Funding Opportunities!

🔑 Get instant access to tailored funding opportunities that perfectly match your needs. This powerful feature is exclusively available to our professional members—helping you save time, stay ahead of the competition, and secure the right funding faster.

Upgrade to Professional now and never miss an important opportunity again! Already a member? Log in here to explore your matches.

Related Innovation Offers

Discover Tailored Innovation Offers!

🚀 Gain access to technology solutions that match your specific needs and interests—carefully selected to support your innovation goals. These offers are exclusively available to our professional members, helping you identify relevant technologies faster and start the right conversations with potential partners.

Upgrade to Professional now and explore your personalized technology matches today! Already a member? Log in here to view your tailored offers.

Related Knowledgeable Resources

Discover More with Professional: Related Knowledge Resources

🔒 You’re missing out on expert-curated knowledge specifically matched to this topic. As a professional member, you gain exclusive access to in-depth articles, guides, and insights that help you make smarter decisions, faster.

Whether you’re preparing a funding proposal, researching a new market, or just need reliable information—our professional knowledge matches save you hours of research and point you directly to what matters.

Upgrade to Professional now and instantly unlock relevant knowledge tailored to your needs! Already a member? Log in here to view your personalized content.