Who can apply for funding under national calls and European Union programs?

Funding opportunities are open to a wide range of applicants - private enterprises, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, scientific and educational institutions, as well as partnerships between them. Each fund, each call or procedure has specific conditions and requirements, so it is important to analyze the eligibility and potential of the applicant in advance.

Do you work with municipalities?

Yes, we work with municipalities and municipal enterprises , providing expert support in project development and implementation, including strategic planning, application and subsequent management.

Do you work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs)?

Yes, we work with non-governmental organizations , including foundations and associations, in preparing and implementing projects in areas such as social activities, education, culture, innovation and sustainable development.

Do you work with other organizations?

Yes, in addition to SMEs, municipalities and NGOs, we also work with:universities and scientific organizations;public institutions and agencies;startups and innovative companies;consortia and partnerships on international projects.

What does co-financing mean?

Co-financing is the part of the project budget that is not covered by European funding and is provided by the beneficiary or other sources.

What are eligible costs?

These are costs that:are directly related to the project;were made within the eligibility period;comply with the rules of the relevant program;are duly documented.

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Call for Projects on Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development

Jun 5
2 min read

Second Open Call under the COSMIC project for the co-development of AI-driven services and technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency and optimizing resource use.

OBJECTIVE

To support SMEs and start-ups in developing and validating practical solutions that contribute to outcomes such as improved energy efficiency, smarter resource utilization, enhanced decision-making, reduced environmental impact, and stronger digital energy services.

WHO CAN APPLY

Individual SMEs or start-ups established in EU Member States or countries associated with Horizon Europe.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Applicants must address one of the 16 project challenges focused on AI- and data-driven energy resource optimization.

The full list of challenges is available in the Technical Guidelines.

Funding will support the development, testing, validation, and integration of innovative AI-based services and solutions into the COSMIC energy resource optimization ecosystem.

By the end of the project, proposals should aim to achieve a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 6 and 7. This means that the proposed solution should start from at least TRL 3, with initial validation at a small scale (typically TRL 3–5), and be ready for further testing, refinement, and demonstration through COSMIC’s industrial pilots to reach a higher level of maturity (TRL 6–7).

PROJECT DURATION

Projects will have a duration of 10 months.

FUNDING

Individual grant of up to €150,000 (lump sum)
Participation in a 10-month Support Program
Funding rate: 70% of eligible costs for SMEs

The total call budget is €1,915,683.12, and up to 13 projects will be selected.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be submitted through the designated online application platform.

Before starting the application process, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Application Guidelines.

DEADLINE

The deadline for submission of applications is 20 July 2026, 17:00 CEST.

EVALUATION

Projects will be evaluated by two external experts against the criteria of Excellence, Impact, and Implementation.

In the event of a tie, priority will be given to proposals demonstrating stronger impact.

Projects that achieve at least 3 points (on a scale of 0–5) in each evaluation section will be invited to an interview.

COSMIC supports the objectives of the European Green Deal by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data for large-scale energy resource optimization. The project brings together a diverse consortium of major industries, research institutions, public authorities, non-governmental organizations, and SMEs to co-develop impactful and scalable digital solutions addressing key sustainability challenges.

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Consult us

The eligibility of costs is one of the most strictly controlled aspects of any project. Only costs that are directly linked to the activities carried out within the eligible period and supported by correct documentation can be recognized.NORTAN experts perform detailed verification and ensure compliance with the requirements of the governing authorities, which reduces the risk of financial corrections.

The project cycle goes through several key phases:Analysis of client needs and identification of suitable financing opportunities;Development of a project idea and preparation of a proposal;Assessment and approval by the Managing Authority;Implementation, monitoring and control of activities;Final reporting and sustainability of results.NORTAN Ltd offers comprehensive support at every stage - from concept to successful completion of the project.

Among the most common errors are incomplete or incorrect documentation, a mismatch between the project objectives, the scope and priorities of the program, as well as incorrect budget structuring, which includes expenses for remuneration, the purchase of equipment and other external services.Our team conducts a thorough analysis before submitting the project proposal to ensure full compliance and increase the likelihood of approval.

Reporting includes the presentation of detailed technical and financial reports that demonstrate the implementation of activities and the achievement of results.NORTAN provides methodological and expert support throughout the entire process, from documentation preparation to communication with governing bodies, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and legality at the completion of each project.NORTAN Ltd. experts, with proven experience in writing technical and financial reports, provide full support in their preparation and reporting to the competent institutions.

Cascading Funding is a mechanism where the European Commission provides funds to a lead beneficiary (usually a consortium), which then distributes part of these funds to third parties (SMEs, start-ups, NGOs, researchers) through open calls for applications.This type of funding is widely used in programs such as Horizon Europe and Digital Europe and is also known as Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) .