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

October 2, 2025: Full application submission deadline (single-stage call) — 17:00 Brussels time

€1,000,000–€2,000,000 per project; total topic budget €5,000,000; project duration typically 24–36 months

Supports projects leveraging generative AI to address societal challenges in Africa, focusing on rural communities, women, and local innovation in key sectors.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity, under Horizon Europe, supports research and innovation actions (RIA) that apply generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to address key societal challenges and opportunities in Africa. The focus is on solutions that benefit rural communities and women, aiming to empower local actors and foster sustainable development through digital transformation. Projects should target areas such as agriculture optimization, healthcare improvement, infrastructure and urban planning, and digital skills and learning. Proposals must demonstrate evidence-based analysis of African needs, adapt or transfer EU-developed GenAI solutions, and drive local innovation via start-ups and living labs in multiple African locations. Collaboration with European and international AI initiatives is encouraged, and proposals must ensure compliance with the EU AI Act and GDPR. --- ## Due Dates - October 2, 2025: Full application submission deadline (single-stage call) — 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Indicative grant per project: €1,000,000–€2,000,000 - Total available budget for this topic: €5,000,000 - Expected number of projects funded: 2 - Project duration: typically 24–36 months - Funding rate: 100% of eligible costs (RIA) --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium composition:** At least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries (EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries). - **Eligible applicants:** Any legal entity, regardless of location, may participate. To receive funding, entities must be established in: - EU Member States (including their outermost regions) - Horizon Europe Associated Countries (e.g., Albania, Armenia, Canada, Georgia, Israel, Norway, Tunisia, UK, Ukraine, etc.) - Low- and middle-income countries (including all African countries) - **African partners:** Strongly encouraged and typically essential for relevance and impact. - **Consortium roles:** Should include African partners, EU-based technology providers, and organizations with experience in GenAI, local innovation, or relevant sectors. - **Gender Equality Plan:** Required for public bodies, research organizations, and higher education institutions from EU/Associated Countries. - **Exclusions:** Entities from Russia, Belarus, or non-government controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. - **Focus:** Projects must exclusively address civil applications. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2025-04-HUMAN-08?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=3&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Format:** Single-stage application, with a strict page limit (see application form for details). - **Required documents:** Complete application form (Parts A & B), including technical description, consortium details, ethics and security self-assessments, and any mandatory annexes. - **Evaluation:** Proposals are evaluated on excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation, with specific attention to the integration of the gender dimension, open science practices, and societal impact. - **Notification:** Evaluation results expected January 2026; grant agreements typically signed within 8 months of the deadline. --- ## Additional Information - **Priority areas:** Agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure/urban planning, digital skills/learning, with emphasis on rural communities and women. - **Approach:** Co-creation and open innovation via living labs, start-up support, and adaptation of EU GenAI solutions to African contexts. - **Legal compliance:** Projects must address data protection and AI ethics in line with the EU AI Act and GDPR. - **Collaboration:** Building synergies with other European and international AI initiatives is encouraged. - **Ethics:** Proposals must include an ethics self-assessment; activities involving human subjects, data, or sensitive topics must comply with EU and national regulations. --- ## External Links - [Official call page and submission portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2025-04-HUMAN-08?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=3&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 – General Annexes (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (HE RIA, IA) (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - [National Contact Points (NCPs) for guidance](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Resource | Link/Details | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | IT Helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | European Commission | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | ---

GenAI for Africa

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