[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

February 2, 2027

€3,000,000 total; typically one grant awarded; project duration usually 3–4 years

Supports development of AI-driven, automated scientific experimentation systems for food-related labs, emphasizing software retrofitting for enhanced efficiency and collaboration.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity from the European Commission under Horizon Europe supports research and innovation projects that develop safe and trustworthy closed-loop scientific experimentation systems by integrating laboratory automation with AI-driven decision-making and robust data infrastructures. The primary aim is to enable highly automated and digitalized scientific labs to design, develop, and test intelligence layers that allow scientific instruments to autonomously plan, execute, and analyze experiments—ideally in network with other labs and without requiring a complete laboratory redesign. The call focuses on software solutions that retrofit existing laboratory setups, with justified hardware purchases allowed if necessary for the research. Projects should address scalable and secure data management, AI-driven resource optimization, real-time analytics, and intuitive user interfaces. The impact areas include automated experimentation in biomass and precision fermentation for food production, with applications such as alternative proteins, fats, bio-based materials, and food ingredients. International collaboration is encouraged. --- ## Due Dates - February 2, 2027: Full application submission deadline (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total budget for this call: €3,000,000 - Indicative number of grants: 1 - Typical project duration: 3–4 years - Funding covers research and innovation actions (RIA), primarily software, with justified hardware allowed --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (see [Annex B](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) for full list) - International collaboration is encouraged; some non-EU/non-associated countries may participate if they provide their own funding - Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity - Full eligibility rules and admissibility conditions are detailed in the [Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) --- ## Application Process - Single-stage application process - Submission opens: September 22, 2026 - Submission deadline: February 2, 2027, 17:00 Brussels time - Applications must follow the [standard RIA application form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - Proposals should address the expected outcomes and scope as described in the topic details - Evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds are outlined in [Annex D](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - Submit via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=4&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) --- ## Additional Information - The call prioritizes software development but allows justified hardware purchases - Projects should demonstrate retrofit approaches for existing labs, not full redesigns - Security, robustness, and ethical compliance are required - Extensive documentation and guidance are available in the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) and [Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) --- ## External Links - [Full call details and application portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=4&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [Standard RIA application form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - [Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Method | |------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC contact | +32 2 299 11 11 | | EC contact page | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points (NCPs) | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) |

Automated Scientific Discovery – Food (RAISE pilot) - European Commission

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