European Network of AI Excellence Centres: Expanding the European AI lighthouse (RIA)

ELIAS will select 4 SMEs/start-ups that will enter a 6-month program and receive up to € 60.000 (lump sum) to develop novel AI-based applications in one of ELIAS focus areas

The Open Call under the ELIAS project will be open from February 27th, 2026 at 08:00 CET (Brussels Time), with a deadline on May, 31st 2026 at 23:59 CET.

ELIAS will evaluate only proposals submitted in English through the online form available at https://www.f6s.com/elias-second-open-call/apply within the deadline, May 31st, 2026 midnight (Brussels Time). Upon receipt of each proposal, the system will send you a confirmation of your submission.

We are looking for SMEs, startups and NGO’s. Applicants, at the moment of applying, must be officially registered legal entities established in:

1. Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU), including their overseas departments, or in
2. The Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

The EU Associated Countries participate in Horizon Europe under the same conditions as the EU Member States. A list with all eligible associated Countries can be found here.

Legal entities established in any other country or region cannot receive funding in this open Call.

The ELIAS partners, or their affiliates or employees, are NOT considered as eligible applicants and can NOT apply for funding.

All the information regarding the call is available on our website: https://elias-ai.eu/opportunities/elias-2nd-open-call/ .