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Accelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of AI-Powered Robotics is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Impact: This Challenge will support the ambitions of the AI Act, Apply AI Strategy. The AI powered robotics models developed under this Challenge are expected to comply with the EU concept for Trustworthy AI and the relevant ethical principles with due attention paid to data quality, transparency and accountability, privacy, security and safety. In the medium to longer term, it is expected to reduce European dependencies and support end users in leveraging advances in AI to enhance their products and develop new capabilities that will contribute to: Strengthened European leadership in physical AI, reducing reliance on non-European technology providers, and Contribution to EU priorities in sustainability, resilience, digital transformation, and industrial competitiveness. Objective: This is a two-stage Challenge competition of which the ultimate ambition is to deliver scalable prototypes, validated in a relevant real-world environment. Solutions supported under the Challenge are expected to demonstrate both the novelty and applicability of the proposed Physical AI technology, while mitigating associated risks. Applicant to Stage 1 must also have a clear outlook on the potential longer-term impact(s). Stage1- Solution validation and benchmarking Applicants with disruptive physical AI systems that have achieved a prototype (i.e. at least TRL 4) will be invited to: Refine and validate the prototype in a relevant environment to demonstrate the core innovation (e.g., new perception (multimodal), actuation, continual learning, or autonomy capability, etc.). in the end use case Develop a methodology for performance assessment Assess ethical, data governance and scalability considerations Identify challenges to integration such as safety, certification or scalability with view to identifying risks and exploring options for overcoming barriers for adoption including in cases where products’ risks are not covered by the AI Act Conduct initial performance benchmarking, and Develop an initial market analysis, business plan and model. The outputs of Stage 1 will be assessed for progress against the following milestones: Evidence of technical viability with initial performance data that benchmarks performance and disruptive potential against the state-of-the-art in at least one pilot case within the specified application area, and Clear commitment from end users and stakeholders to further develop the physical AI solution in Stage 2. To maximise impact, foster collaboration, and accelerate learning across funded teams, Progress to Stage 2 will be contingent on delivering a full proposal which will be assessed alongside the milestones achieved under Stage 1. Stage 2 - Development and user testing Applicants for Stage 2 will be expected to further develop and validate a Physical AI system through the following activities: Build and test (ensure at least two deployments loops) a robust, integrated solution capable of autonomous operation in complex or semi-structured environments (e.g., pilot deployment in real world environment, etc.) to reach TRL 6-7 Address scalability and manufacturability: show that the solution can be scaled or adapted for broader integration and deployment Conduct necessary testing, documentation, and compliance activities towards certification or regulatory approval of the adapted solution Organisation of consultation meetings/workshops with industrial end users, regulators, standard setting bodies or other relevant stakeholders to gather further needs and feedback, and Develop a roadmap to commercialisation: refine market analysis, and validate business plan including stakeholder engagement, and identification of scaling strategies At the end of Stage 2, projects will be expected to have: Delivered a robust, integrated solution capable of autonomous operation in complex or semi-structured environments i.e. capable of pilot deployment in real world environment Demonstrated reliability, adaptability, energy/reso
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EU Funding & Tenders Portal EU Funding & Tenders Portal * Results & Innovation support * SME Self-assessment tool Home Funding Calls for proposals Accelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of AI-Powered Robotics Accelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of AI-Powered Robotics * Conditions and documents EIC Advanced Innovation Challenge (HORIZON-EIC-2026-AIC) HORIZON-EIC HORIZON EIC Grants HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] 26 February 2026 17:00:00 Brussels time This Challenge will support the ambitions of the AI Act, Apply AI Strategy.
The AI powered robotics models developed under this Challenge are expected to comply with the EU concept for Trustworthy AI and the relevant ethical principles with due attention paid to data quality, transparency and accountability, privacy, security and safety.
In the medium to longer term, it is expected to reduce European dependencies and support end users in leveraging advances in AI to enhance their products and develop new capabilities that will contribute to: * Strengthened European leadership in physical AI, reducing reliance on non-European technology providers, and * Contribution to EU priorities in sustainability, resilience, digital transformation, and industrial competitiveness.
This is a two-stage Challenge competition of which the ultimate ambition is to deliver scalable prototypes, validated in a relevant real-world environment. Solutions supported under the Challenge are expected to demonstrate both the novelty and applicability of the proposed Physical AI technology, while mitigating associated risks. Applicant to Stage 1 must also have a clear outlook on the potential longer-term impact(s).
**Stage1- Solution validation and benchmarking** Applicants with disruptive physical AI systems that have achieved a prototype (i. e. at least TRL 4) will be invited to: * Refine and validate the prototype in a relevant environment to demonstrate the core innovation (e.
g. , new perception (multimodal), actuation, continual learning, or autonomy capability, etc.)
in the end use case * Develop a methodology for performance assessment * Assess ethical, data governance and scalability considerations * Identify challenges to integration such as safety, certification or scalability with view to identifying risks and exploring options for overcoming barriers for adoption including in cases where products’ risks are not covered by the AI Act * Conduct initial performance benchmarking, and * Develop an initial market analysis, business plan and model.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Open to legal entities established in EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe (including EEA/EFTA countries, and other associated third countries). Action type: HORIZON-EIC HORIZON EIC Grants. Additional conditions: "> General conditions 1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout The call is open for submission by A single legal entity established in a Member State or an Associated Country (‘mono-beneficiary’) if you are a start-up, SME or research performing organisation (university, research or technology organisation, including teams, individual Principal Investigators and inventors). Larger companies (i.e. which do not qualify as SMEs) are not eligible to apply as a single legal... See the official call documentation on the F&T Portal for full eligibility criteria and participation rules. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates €12M total budget (~$13M USD) ; up to €300K per project ; ~10 grants expected Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is February 26, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Programme areas: Additional EIC activities, The European Innovation Council (EIC), Innovative Europe
Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt:
EU Funding & Tenders Portal EU Funding & Tenders Portal * Results & Innovation support * SME Self-assessment tool Home Funding Calls for proposals Accelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of AI-Powered Robotics Accelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of AI-Powered Robotics * Conditions and documents EIC Advanced Innovation Challenge (HORIZON-EIC-2026-AIC) HORIZON-EIC HORIZON EIC Grants HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] 26 February 2026 17:00:00 Brussels time This Challenge will support the ambitions of the AI Act, Apply AI Strategy. The AI powered robotics models developed under this Challenge are expected to comply with the EU concept for Trustworthy AI and the relevant ethical principles with due attention paid to data quality, transparency and accountability, privacy, security and safety. In the medium to longer term, it is expected to reduce European dependencies and support end users in leveraging advances in AI to enhance their products and develop new capabilities that will contribute to: * Strengthened European leadership in physical AI, reducing reliance on non-European technology providers, and * Contribution to EU priorities in sustainability, resilience, digital transformation, and industrial competitiveness. This is a two-stage Challenge competition of which the ultimate ambition is to deliver scalable prototypes, validated in a relevant real-world environment. Solutions supported under the Challenge are expected to demonstrate both the novelty and applicability of the proposed Physical AI technology, while mitigating associated risks. Applicant to Stage 1 must also have a clear outlook on the potential longer-term impact(s). **Stage1- Solution validation and benchmarking** Applicants with disruptive physical AI systems that have achieved a prototype (i.e. at least TRL 4) will be invited to: * Refine and validate the prototype in a relevant environment to demonstrate the core innovation (e.g., new perception (multimodal), actuation, continual learning, or autonomy capability, etc.). in the end use case * Develop a methodology for performance assessment * Assess ethical, data governance and scalability considerations * Identify challenges to integration such as safety, certification or scalability with view to identifying risks and exploring options for overcoming barriers for adoption including in cases where products’ risks are not covered by the AI Act * Conduct initial performance benchmarking, and * Develop an initial market analysis, business plan and model. The outputs of Stage 1 will be assessed for progress against the following milestones: * Evidence of technical viability with initial performance data that benchmarks performance and disruptive potential against the state-of-the-art in at least one pilot case within the specified application area, and * Clear commitment from end users
Application snapshot: target deadline February 26, 2026; published funding information €12M total budget (~$13M USD) ; up to €300K per project ; ~10 grants expected; eligibility guidance Open to legal entities established in EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe (including EEA/EFTA countries, and other associated third countries). Action type: HORIZON-EIC HORIZON EIC Grants. Additional conditions: "> General conditions 1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout The call is open for submission by A single legal entity established in a Member State or an Associated Country (‘mono-beneficiary’) if you are a start-up, SME or research performing organisation (university, research or technology organisation, including teams, individual Principal Investigators and inventors). Larger companies (i.e. which do not qualify as SMEs) are not eligible to apply as a single legal... See the official call documentation on the F&T Portal for full eligibility criteria and participation rules.
Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
The outputs of Stage 1 will be assessed for progress against the following milestones: * Evidence of technical viability with initial performance data that benchmarks performance and disruptive potential against the state-of-the-art in at least one pilot case within the specified application area, and * Clear commitment from end users and stakeholders to further develop the physical AI solution in Stage 2.
* To maximise impact, foster collaboration, and accelerate learning across funded teams, Progress to Stage 2 will be contingent on delivering a full proposal which will be assessed alongside the milestones achieved under Stage 1.
**Stage 2 - Development and user testing** Applicants for Stage 2 will be expected to further develop and validate a Physical AI system through the following activities: * Build and test (ensure at least two deployments loops) a robust, integrated solution capable of autonomous operation in complex or semi-structured environments (e. g. , pilot deployment in real world environment, etc.)
to reach TRL 6-7 * Address scalability and manufacturability: show that the solution can be scaled or adapted for broader integration and deployment * Conduct necessary testing, documentation, and compliance activities towards certification or regulatory approval of the adapted solution * Organisation of consultation meetings/workshops with industrial end users, regulators, standard setting bodies or other relevant stakeholders to gather further needs and feedback, and * Develop a roadmap to commercialisation: refine market analysis, and validate business plan including stakeholder engagement, and identification of scaling strategies At the end of Stage 2, projects will be expected to have: * Delivered a robust, integrated solution capable of autonomous operation in complex or semi-structured environments i.
e. capable of pilot deployment in real world environment * Demonstrated reliability, adaptability, energy/resource efficiency, and safe human-AI interaction, and * Provided evidence of necessary testing, documentation, and compliance activities towards certification or regulatory approval for the adapted solution The integration of AI into physical systems is accelerating apace.
Such integration will enable machines and systems to perceive, act, and interact autonomously in complex, real-world settings. This Challenge aims to accelerate the development towards integration, deployment and commercialisation of breakthrough Physical AI solutions that will enhance Europe’s technological sovereignty, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
This Challenge seeks proposals for developing disruptive Physical AI innovations that demonstrate at least two of the following characteristics: * **Intelligent Perception and Cognition** - Encompasses robust sensing, understanding, and real-time reasoning capabilities. * **Adaptive Learning and Optimisation** - Focuses on continuous improvement, domain-specific adaptation, and intelligent resource management.
* **Autonomous Decision-Making and Collective Intelligence** - Combines real-time problem-solving with autonomous action and swarm coordination in dynamic environments. * **Human-AI Collaboration and Interaction** - Encompasses safe, intuitive interfaces and collaborative robotics for human-AI teamwork.
* **Physical Integration and Innovation**- Focuses on developing novel sensors, actuators, and materials that advance embodied AI capabilities.
The solutions must also focus on addressing pressing needs in at least one of the following application areas: * Disaster response and civil security physical agents: AI-powered robotic systems designed to act before, during, or immediately after disasters (natural or man-made), with the aim of saving lives, ensuring safety, and restoring normalcy in hazardous, unpredictable environments.
* Autonomous labs for Scientific Discovery: self-directed scientific environments where AI and robotics design, execute, and analyse experiments with minimal human intervention. * Personal or professional robot assistants: AI-powered robots designed to support individuals or professionals by automating repetitive, menial, or complex tasks in homes, workplaces, or industrial settings.
The Physical AI solutions that will be designed and developed under this Challenge should be in accordance with principles of Responsible AI, Trustworthiness, Security and Human Centrism, ensuring transparency, accountability, privacy, safety, and ethical alignment.
Applicants must demonstrate the interest of potential end users and integrators with a view to supporting the application and testing of the proposed solutions in a real-world environment.
To enable this, they should have: * an initial physical AI system prototype tested in the lab * access to an appropriate infrastructure for data collection and testing, and * a challenging use case formulated by a potential end-user, supported by a letter of intent or a letter of intent from a robotics integrator, confirming their interest aligned to the needs of the application domain.
Applicants to the HORIZON-EIC-2026-AIC-01 topic should note that, in accordance with the EIC 2026 Work Programme, a letter of intent from a potential end-user or from a robotics integrator is mandatory. Failure to include the required letter of intent will result in the proposal being declared inadmissible.
Where appropriate, multiple letters may be submitted; all letters must be combined into a single PDF document annexed to Proposal Part B. Ethics self-assessment should be included in proposal part A of the proposal. The character limited in this section of proposal part A is considered to be sufficient for participants to give all necessary information.
No ethics annex to proposal part B is needed/possible. The EIC Work Programme 2026 states that: “Sections 1 to 3 and the cover page of part B of your proposal must consist of a maximum of 11 format A4 pages. ” The application template states the same.
There is no explicit need for a cover page. The application can start with the title of the proposal as per the application template. The EIC FAQs have been updated on 23/01/2026.
Please (re)consult the FAQs. The submission session is now available for: HORIZON-EIC-2026-AIC-01, HORIZON-EIC-2026-AIC-02 Topic conditions and documents #### 1.
Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout The call is open for submission by * A single legal entity established in a Member State or an Associated Country (‘mono-beneficiary’) if you are a start-up, SME or research performing organisation (university, research or technology organisation, including teams, individual Principal Investigators and inventors). Larger companies (i. e.
which do not qualify as SMEs) are not eligible to apply as a single legal entity. **Proposal page limits and layout:** described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. #### 2.
Eligible Countries The list of eligible countries is detailed in Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2026. #### 3. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion Described in Annex 2(C.
Financial and Operational Capacity) of the EIC Work Programme 2026. #### 4. Legal and financial set-up of the grants Please refer to the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) used for EIC actions under Horizon Europe Specific conditions are described in the section IV.
EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges- Pilot of the EIC Work Programme 2026 #### Additional documents: EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme Decision authorising the use of lump sums for the EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges pilot phase 1 actions Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement | Topic | Budget (EUR) - Year : 2026 | Stages | Opening date | Deadline | Contributions | Indicative number of grants | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | HORIZON-EIC-2026-AIC-01 - HORIZON-EIC HORIZON EIC Grants HORIZON-EIC-2026-AIC-02 - HORIZON-EIC HORIZON EIC Grants | 6 000 000 | Single-stage | 03/12/2025 | 26/02/2026 | around 300000 around 300000 | 10 10 | To access the Electronic Submission Service, please click on the submission-button next to the **type of action** and the **type of model grant agreement** that corresponds to your proposal.
You will then be asked to confirm your choice, as it cannot be changed in the submission system. Upon confirmation, you will be linked to the correct entry point. To access existing draft proposals for this topic, please login to the Funding & Tenders Portal and select the My Proposals page of the My Area section.
**Please select the type of your submission:** HORIZON EIC Grants [HORIZON-EIC], HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] Topic Q&As**0** item(s) found Please read carefully all provisions below before the preparation of your application. EIC Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ on the Europen Innovation Council website specific to the Advanced Innovation Challenges topics.
Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant. Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe. Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.
Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).
Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding. IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.
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The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers. Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.
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