European calls for cascade funding

The most interesting calls for proposals selected in March. 

COP-PILOT 1 Open Call

Description: This project focuses on developing a Collaborative Open Platform (COP) framework that enables the comprehensive coordination of services across various industrial sectors. Building on the foundations of edge computing, advanced 5G connectivity, and decentralized processing, COP-PILOT aims to overcome infrastructure fragmentation and the isolation of service domains by providing a unified platform for the secure, automated, and intelligent management of resources and data. To validate its framework, COP-PILOT will conduct large-scale pilot programs in real-world environments:

• CL1. Business integration in the mining industry.
• CL2. Smart and sustainable IoT solutions.CL3a. Transformation and sustainability in agricultural technology.
• CL3e. Edge intelligence for network reliability.
• CL4. Smart vineyards and sustainable winery ecosystems.

Eligibility requirements and consortia: SMEs, startups, research institutions, and companies.

Maximum amount per proposal: up to €200,000.

Deadline: May 4, 2026.

Website: https://cop-pilot.eu/open-calls/

ROB4GREEN

Description: This call is aimed at European technology adopters who, in collaboration with technology developers, suppliers, or integrators, will test new solutions for one of the specified challenges. These pilot tests must incorporate at least one tool (up to two) from the ROB4GREEN framework. Submitted proposals must address one of the following challenges:

• AI, data, and robotics for extending product lifespans.
• AI, data, and robotics for value retention.
• AI, data, and robotics for parts retrieval.
• AI, data, and robotics for dismantling and recycling.

Eligibility requirements and consortia: Open Call No. 1 will fund a minimum of 2 entities (maximum of 3):

• Required: (1) an SME or startup that will be responsible for technical development (acting as an integrator, supplier, or technology developer) and will serve as the pilot project leader.
• Required: (1) an industrial end user who will provide the external pilot site and be responsible for validating the technical developments (acting as a technology adopter).
• Optional: 1 organization that provides technology and/or expertise to support the project’s implementation, which may be a mid-market company, an SME, or a research organization (RTO or academic institution).

Maximum grant amount per proposal: up to €300,000, with a limit of €200,000 per individual partner.

Deadline: April 8, 2026.

Website: https://rob4green-project.eu/open-calls/

FORWARDS

Description: As part of the Horizon Europe FORWARDS project, forest data is being collected from various programs, projects, and other initiatives, with a focus on quantifying the impacts of climate change on forests. These datasets are compiled by the future ForestWard Observatory, a pan-European monitoring and assessment tool that will help demonstrate the impacts of climate change on forests and guide decision-making for practical forest management. This call invites applicants to propose projects that develop applications utilizing or enriching the ForestWard Observatory’s datasets, or data collection systems that can be integrated, for example, by developing web applications that link to the ForestWard Observatory and draw on its datasets to strengthen the dissemination of practical knowledge and best practices for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies—including synergies with biodiversity—among professionals and other end-users.

Eligibility requirements and consortia: Legal entities.

Maximum amount per proposal: up to €150,000.

Deadline: April 3, 2026.

Website: https://efi.int/grants-training/grants/G-01-2026

AUTOASSESS Open Call No. 2 for Technology Innovators

Description: AUTOASSESS focuses on the fully autonomous inspection of ships’ ballast tanks and cargo holds. Technological innovations must propose innovative technological solutions that address the challenges posed by the project’s use cases:

• SOT-assisted NDT thickness gauge for a fully powered aerial robot.
• Support for remote inspection and enhanced collaboration between experts on board and on shore.
• Concepts of autonomous patrols and early event detection frameworks for engine rooms.
• Analysis of the structural condition of ships and identification of critical points through digital representation and modeling for robotic inspection.
• A combined qualitative and quantitative assessment of structural integrity using imaging and measurements.
• NDT-MINI: Sensor ACFM/ECT ultraligero y de bajo consumo (<10 W) para la inspección autónoma con drones
• Graphical user interface for UAS.
• Call for applications.

Eligibility requirements and consortia: Startups and SMEs that submit their applications individually or as part of a consortium (up to two entities).

Maximum amount per proposal: up to €150.00 (100% funding for startups, 70% for SMEs).

Deadline: May 5, 2026.

Website: https://autoassess.eu/open-call-2/

SECURE

Description: Strengthen the cybersecurity resilience of European SMEs by helping them meet the requirements of the Cybersecurity Resilience Act (CRA). Direct financial support will be provided to co-fund specific projects aimed at improving compliance with the CRA and strengthening cybersecurity practices.

Eligibility and Consortia: SMEs

Maximum grant amount per proposal: €30,000.

Deadline: March 29, 2026.

Website: https://www.secure4sme.eu/cascade-funding/first-open-call

LDT4SSC OC2

Description: Development and deployment of local digital twins (LDTs) that can be interconnected across Europe to create a federated and interoperable network of cities and communities. The selected projects will enable cross-border data exchange, the optimization of multiple cities, and the deployment of high-impact digital services, while reducing the risks associated with innovation. The projects are expected to:

• Connect the local digital twins of European cities and communities into a federated ecosystem.
• Use open-source specifications, reference architectures, and certified, standards-based AI tools that are ready for deployment.
• Simulate future scenarios (such as climate resilience and smart mobility) to inform decision-making before making real-world investments.

Areas of focus:

• Workstream 1: Interconnecting existing local digital twins to form a Europe-wide network.
• Workstream 2: Creation of new local digital twins that address the common challenges faced by cities and communities.
• Workstream 3: Integration of advanced AI-based capabilities and innovative open-source components into the EU’s LDT toolkit.

Project duration: 12–18 months.

Eligibility and consortia: As a consortium. Applications may be submitted by: local, regional, and national authorities; private organizations and SMEs; NGOs and nonprofit organizations; as well as research and academic organizations.

Maximum amount per proposal:

• Up to 1,000,000 EUR per consortium.
• 50% co-financing is required.
• Maximum of 500,000 EUR per third party.

Deadline: April 2, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CEST).

Website: https://ldt4ssc.eu/call-two/

MAJOR Project

Description: Select approximately 30 innovators (SMEs and startups) from the EU, Norway, or Ukraine to serve as technology/solution providers, primarily in areas related to advanced materials and digital solutions for defense platforms. Focus on hybrid structures and joining technologies, structural health monitoring and sensors, non-destructive testing, and digital/AI-based tools for maintenance and assessment

Eligibility and consortia: SMEs and startups.

Maximum grant per proposal: up to €60,000 per company, plus a 6-month mentoring and support program.

Deadline: March 25, 2026.

Website: Open Call 1 - Major Project

SCALEDEM

Description: A 12-month action-oriented program for organizations willing to test and learn from innovative approaches to expanding democratic participation. It supports the real-world testing of innovative and bold ideas to expand democratic innovations and address current democratic challenges.

Eligibility and consortia: public authorities, civil society organizations, professionals, etc., who wish to experiment with new ways of expanding participatory and deliberative practices.

Maximum grant amount per proposal: up to €100,000 per pilot project.

Deadline: March 31.

Website: https://scaledem.eu/call/piloting-programme/

NGI0 Commons Collection

Description: The goal is to help create, develop, and expand new Internet commons across the entire technological spectrum, from free silicon to middleware, and from P2P infrastructure to user-friendly applications. Topics directly related to digital commons and the objectives set forth in the NGI0 Commons Fund call for proposals: scientific research; design and development of open-source software and hardware; validation or constructive investigation of existing or novel technical solutions; software engineering aimed at adapting to new areas of use or improving software quality; etc.

Eligibility and consortia: individuals and organizations of any kind.

Maximum grant amount per proposal: €5,000–€50,000.

Deadline: April 1.

Website: https://nlnet.nl/commonsfund/