Open Call for AI-BOOST Challenge Competition

The AI-BOOST Open Challenge Prize Programme is an EU-funded initiative supporting innovators, researchers, startups, SMEs, universities, and industry teams developing trustworthy, human-centric Generative AI solutions. The programme offers funding of up to EUR 100,000, along with mentoring, technical support, and access to AI infrastructure through competitive challenges in robotics, engineering, healthcare, and automotive safety.

About the AI-BOOST Open Challenge Prize Programme

The AI-BOOST Open Challenge Prize Programme is a European Union-funded initiative designed to accelerate the development of innovative and trustworthy artificial intelligence technologies. The programme brings together researchers, startups, SMEs, universities, and industry experts to solve high-impact industrial and societal challenges using Generative AI.

The initiative supports AI innovations that advance from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2–3 to TRL 4–5 while promoting responsible, human-centric, and trustworthy AI solutions suitable for real-world deployment.

Focus Areas

The programme supports projects related to:

• Generative Artificial Intelligence
• Trustworthy AI
• Human-centric AI
• Autonomous robotics
• Engineering design and simulation
• Healthcare AI
• Automotive safety
• AI research and innovation
• Industrial AI applications
• Scientific advancement
• Responsible AI
• AI commercialization
• Technology development
• AI infrastructure
• AI collaboration and knowledge sharing

Funding Information

• Spark Phase Prize: EUR 28,500 for each selected team.
• Advance Phase Grand Prize: EUR 100,000 for one winner in each challenge.
• Special Awards: EUR 25,000 per challenge.
  • Innovation Excellence Award: EUR 12,500.
  • Responsible AI Award: EUR 12,500.

Challenge Areas

The AI Challenge Competition includes four Generative AI challenges:

• Autonomous Robotics
• Engineering Design and Simulation
• Healthcare AI
• Automotive Safety

These challenges address strategic industrial and societal priorities while encouraging breakthrough AI technologies with strong commercial and social potential.

Programme Structure

Spark Phase

Participants submit Concept Notes describing their proposed AI solution.

During this phase:

• Applications are evaluated by experts.
• Five winners are selected for each challenge.
• Each selected team receives EUR 28,500.
• Successful teams advance to the next phase.

Advance Phase

Selected teams participate in a five-month acceleration programme that includes:

• Algorithm development
• Prototype improvement
• Technical mentoring
• Validation activities
• Scientific monitoring
• Progress reviews
• Final live demonstration

One winner from each challenge receives the final EUR 100,000 prize.

Expected Outcomes

The programme aims to:

• Develop 20 breakthrough AI solutions.
• Accelerate promising AI technologies.
• Promote responsible AI innovation.
• Strengthen European AI competitiveness.
• Support industrial deployment of AI technologies.
• Encourage collaboration between academia and industry.
• Advance scientific research in AI.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Students
• Scientists
• Researchers
• AI developers
• High-tech SMEs
• Startups
• Spin-offs
• Universities
• Academic institutions
• NGOs
• Non-profit organizations
• Individual applicants
• Single legal entities
• Consortia of eligible organizations

Applicants must:

• Be established in an EU Member State or an eligible Associated Country.
• Demonstrate technical expertise in AI.
• Develop projects focused solely on civil applications.
• Meet all programme eligibility requirements.

Why This Programme Matters

The AI-BOOST programme helps:

• Accelerate trustworthy AI innovation.
• Bridge research and commercialization.
• Support responsible AI development.
• Foster collaboration across Europe’s AI ecosystem.
• Increase industrial competitiveness.
• Develop scalable AI technologies.
• Promote human-centric AI solutions.
• Strengthen European technological leadership.

How to Apply

Applicants should:

1. Review the competition guidelines.
2. Select the most relevant AI challenge.
3. Prepare a Concept Note outlining the proposed solution.
4. Demonstrate technical innovation and feasibility.
5. Highlight expected societal or industrial impact.
6. Submit the application through the AI-BOOST F6S platform.
7. Participate in the evaluation process.
8. If selected, complete the Spark Phase and advance to the development programme.

Application Tips

• Clearly define the AI challenge being addressed.
• Demonstrate technical novelty and innovation.
• Explain the societal or industrial value.
• Present a realistic development roadmap.
• Highlight the team’s AI expertise.
• Show how the solution supports trustworthy and responsible AI.
• Ensure the proposal focuses on civil applications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing an ineligible challenge area.
• Submitting incomplete Concept Notes.
• Failing to demonstrate technical feasibility.
• Providing unclear commercialization plans.
• Ignoring responsible AI principles.
• Missing the application deadline.
• Submitting projects outside eligible countries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply?

Students, researchers, startups, SMEs, universities, NGOs, industry teams, individual applicants, and eligible consortia established in eligible EU Member States or Associated Countries.

What AI sectors are supported?

The programme supports Generative AI projects in autonomous robotics, engineering design and simulation, healthcare AI, and automotive safety.

How much funding is available?

Selected teams receive EUR 28,500 during the Spark Phase, while one winner from each challenge receives a final prize of EUR 100,000. Additional Innovation Excellence and Responsible AI Awards of EUR 12,500 each are also available.

What is the Spark Phase?

The Spark Phase is the initial competition stage where applicants submit Concept Notes. Selected participants receive funding and progress to the development programme.

What happens during the Advance Phase?

Teams develop, validate, and demonstrate their AI solution through a five-month acceleration programme with technical mentoring, monitoring, and a final demonstration.

What types of AI projects are eligible?

Projects must focus on civil AI applications, demonstrate technical innovation, align with one of the four challenge areas, and contribute to trustworthy, human-centric AI.

When can applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted through the AI-BOOST F6S platform during the published application windows:

• 19 June 2026 to 25 August 2026
• 3 July 2026 to 8 September 2026

Conclusion

The AI-BOOST Open Challenge Prize Programme provides funding, technical support, mentoring, and international visibility for innovators developing next-generation Generative AI technologies. By supporting responsible, human-centric AI solutions across strategic sectors, the programme strengthens Europe’s AI ecosystem while accelerating research toward real-world industrial and societal impact.