Science Business has leaked a draft work programme for 2026–27, in which the European Commission foresees 9 call topics for project funding related to AI, to be launched as pilot actions under the “AI in Science Strategy.”
The goal of the strategy is the establishment of RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe) – a virtual institute envisioned as a “CERN for AI” to drive the development of AI tools for science across Europe.
Here’s a short overview of the 9 planned call topics, including indicative budgets, deadlines, and number of projects to be funded:
HORIZON-CID-2026-01-01: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Decarbonisation of energy intensive industries (IA) (Processes4Planet and Clean Steel partnerships)
- Budget: €125 million | Deadline: 15 Sep 2026 | 8 projects
HORIZON-CID-2026-01-02: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Clean Technologies for Climate Action
- Budget: €150 million | Deadline: 15 Sep 2026 | 8 projects
HORIZON-CID-2027-01-01: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Decarbonisation of energy intensive industries (IA) (Processes4Planet and Clean Steel partnerships)
- Budget: €125 million | Deadline: 15 Sep 2027 | 8 projects
HORIZON-CID-2027-01-02: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Clean Technologies for Climate Action
- Budget: €140 million | Deadline: 15 Sep 2027 | 8 projects
HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-01: Thematic Networks of Excellence for AI in Science (RAISE pilot) (RIA)
- Budget: €15 million | Deadline: 21 Apr 2026 | 1 project
HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-02: Thematic Networks of Excellence for AI in Science – Agriculture and Environment (RAISE pilot)
- Budget: €13 million | Deadline: 21 Apr 2026 | 1 project
HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-01: Automated Scientific Discovery (RAISE pilot) (RIA)
- Budget: €30 million | Deadline: 02 Feb 2027 | 3 projects
HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-02: Automated Scientific Discovery – Food (RAISE pilot)
- Budget: €3 million | Deadline: 02 Feb 2027 | 1 project
HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-03: RAISE Doctoral Networks for AI in Science (RAISE pilot)
- Budget: €30 million | Deadline: 24 Nov 2026
More information on the call topics can be found in the draft work programme for Horizontal Activities, made available by Science Business via the following link: Microsoft Word – HORIZON-HORIZONTAL-2026-2027_09_30_2025_v4 Details may still change.
You can find the full Science Business article here: https://sciencebusiness.net/news/ai/horizon-calls-2026-27-lay-groundwork-new-ai-science-strategy
Has one of the 9 call topics caught your attention? Contact ZEUSS for professional Horizon Europe support – from the first idea to resubmission!