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Horizon Europe Cluster 4 — Twin (Green+Digital) Transition for Industry

Apply AI Challenge Innovation Booster

Funds three €14M challenge programmes that turn advanced AI into solutions for healthcare, manufacturing or autonomous driving.

ScheduledEuropean CommissionEUIcelandNorwayCanadaIsraelSouth KoreaNew ZealandSwitzerlandUnited Kingdom

This topic is an innovation booster for advanced AI, organised around a real industry challenge rather than a general-purpose technology programme. Each proposal chooses exactly one sector: healthcare, advanced manufacturing, or in-vehicle autonomous driving. User-industry companies from that sector must be core consortium partners and help define problems that matter to their industry.

The proje

A Research and Innovation Action that runs a multi-stage, challenge-driven competition in exactly one Apply AI priority sector: healthcare, advanced manufacturing or in-vehicle autonomous driving. Each project defines industry-led problems, launches an open call, supports ten Stage 1 winners with EUR 300,000 grants, then four Stage 2 winners with EUR 2,250,000 grants for the grand-finale stage. The consortium provides data, technical and business support, evaluation, infrastructure and uptake measures for the SME-led teams, with activities starting at TRL 2 and reaching TRL 5.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Biennial
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.18 Mar 2027
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.22 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€42M

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-04Source: ec.europa.eu