COP-PILOT Open Call 1

CALL DESCRIPTION

The COP-PILOT Open Call 1 invites proposals from third parties (SMEs, startups, research institutions, and enterprises) to contribute to the Cloud-Edge-IoT innovation ecosystem by developing and validating solutions across multiple sectors. Proposals must focus on validating or extending the COP-PILOT platform architecture. Purely vertical use cases that do not integrate with the platform's core components (e.g. Service Orchestrator, SIF) are out of scope.

The OC1 invites proposals focusing on one or more of the following activities:

1. Validating and Testing Third-Party Solutions on COP-PILOT Platform
2. Developing and demonstrating innovations using the existing COP-PILOT infrastructure, testing solutions in real-world pilot environments across five operational clusters. 
3. Extending COP-PILOT Platform Capabilities
4. Developing new features, tools, APIs, or components that enhance the platform's functionality for IoT, edge computing, data analytics, and AI/ML applications. 
5. Integrating Technologies Across Sectors
6. Creating cross-sector applications leveraging COP-PILOT to demonstrate interoperability across industry domains.
7. Advancing Edge-to-Cloud Computing Continuum
8. Developing edge intelligence, real-time analytics, distributed orchestration, or other technologies advancing the computing continuum. 
9. Supporting Sustainability and ESG Goals
10. Developing solutions contributing to environmental sustainability and social impact aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

SUBMISSION PROCESS 

1. Enter on portal: cop-pilot.eu 
2. Complete online application form 
3. Upload required documents (PDF): 
4. Open Call proposal document (completed)
5. Declaration of Honor (signed)
6. SME Checklist
7. Privacy and Ethics Annex
8. Consortium Agreement
9. Submit by deadline: 4th May 2026, 17:00 CET 

Submission Language: English mandatory 

Late submissions: NOT accepted 

Incomplete submissions: NOT accepted 

EVALUATION PROCESS

STEP 1: Eligibility Check (2 weeks after deadline) 

1. Verify organizational eligibility 
2. Confirm proposal completeness 

STEP 2: Feasibility Screening (1 week after STEP 1) 

1. Check call alignment
2. Experts consortium representatives technical feasibility Screening
3. Prepare external review list

STEP 3:

Independent Expert Review (4 weeks after STEP 1) 

Scoring Criteria 100 points total, minimum 60 to proceed: 

✓ Criterion 1 Excellence (0-5 *8; max 40 pts, min 24) 

✓ Section 2 Impact (0-5 * 6; max 30 pts, min 18) 

✓ Section 3 Implementation (0-5 * 6; max 30 pts, min 18) 

Detailed scoring criteria available in the Guideline for Applicants

STEP 4: Consensus Meeting (1 week after STEP 3) 

1. Experts & consortium representatives reconcile scores 
2. Finalize ranked list 
3. Prepare reserve list 

STEP 5: Notification (1 week after STEP 4) 

1. Applicants notified by email 
2. Evaluation Summary Report provided 

SCORING RULE:

1. Total Score Must Be: At least 60 out of 100 points
2. Plus: Minimum threshold in each individual criterion
3. If you fail either, your proposal will be rejected

TIMELINE: 

1. May 2026: Evaluation begins 
2. June 2026: Consensus completed 
3. July 2026: Winners announced 
4. July 2026: Project kickoff  

FUNDING INFORMATION 

BUDGET: 

1. Total: €1,600,000 
2. Per project maximum: €200,000 
3. Expected projects: 8 
4. Funding model: 100% grants (no co-financing required) 

ELIGIBLE COSTS: 

✓ Personnel, travel, equipment, software, subcontracting, other direct costs 

✓ Indirect costs: maximum 25% 

PROJECT DURATION: 8 months 

EXPECTED COMPLETION DEADLINE: MARCH 2027 

PAYMENTS: 

1. 50% upon contract signature 
2. 50% upon final report acceptance 

INFORMATION WEBINAR: 12nd February 2026 

1. Scope, Requirements
2. Q&A session 
3. Register: cop-pilot.eu

DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE: cop-pilot.eu  

✓ Guidelines (Proposal, Applicant, Technical)

✓ Annex’s (Declaration of Honor, SME Checklist, Privacy and Ethics, Consortium Agreement)

✓ FAQ Document 

KEY CONTACTS: 

General: [email protected] 

IMPORTANT: 

1. Results published on CORDIS database 
2. Funded projects must acknowledge EU funding 
3. Open Science principles apply 
4. GDPR compliance required

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Organizational Eligibility:

✓ Registered in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country in accordance to:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/list-3rd-country-participation_horizon-euratom_en.pdf

✓ Not bankrupt or subject to insolvency proceedings

✓ Not guilty of grave professional misconduct 

✓ Complies with tax and social security obligations 

✓ Not found guilty of fraud or corruption 

Eligible Organization Types: Single SME or SME led consortia with large enterprises, research institutions, universities, non-profits, public entities. (minimum 2 applicants)

Submission Requirements: English language mandatory, follow the editing and formatting guidelines, signed Declaration of Honor, SME Checklist, Privacy and Ethics Annex, Consortium Agreement.