GenAI4EU Booster Challenge

Official call identifier: HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-19

Objective of the call

This challenge-driven call aims to accelerate the adoption of generative AI (GenAI) in strategic industrial sectors: aerospace, pharmaceuticals/drug development or telecommunications networks. 

It supports multi-stage competitions that move solutions from early-stage development (TRL 3) to demonstration (TRL 6), strengthening Europe’s competitiveness in AI-driven innovation. 

Scope of activities 

Projects are expected to: 

• Organise multi-stage open competitions selecting and funding third parties 

• Provide sector-specific data, infrastructure and technical support for GenAI fine-tuning 

• Award Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP): 

• Stage 2: 20 teams receiving €250,000 each 

• Stage 3: 4 finalists receiving €2 million each 

• Define KPIs, evaluation methods and exploitation plans 

• Promote open-source collaboration and align with ADRA, AI Factories and EDIHs 

• Share results and best practices through European AI platforms 

Eligible applicants 

• Innovative SMEs, startups and enterprises aiming to scale and strengthen competitiveness 
• Public-sector organisations driving transformation and societal impact 
• Research and academic institutions commercialising knowledge 
• Non-profit organisations delivering purpose-driven innovation 
• Organisations based in EU Member States, EFTA/EEA, or Associated Countries (described in General Annex A, General Annex B, General Annex C)
• Minimum 3 independent partners from 3 eligible countries 

Specific consortium we are looking for:

• Consortia including industry leaders from one targeted sector (aerospace, pharma/drug development or telecom) 

• Organisations capable of managing competitive open calls and FSTP schemes 

• SMEs and GenAI technology developers 

Eligible costs 

Eligible costs follow standard Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA) rules and include: 

• Personnel and coordination costs 

• Organisation of competitions and evaluation procedures 

• Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) 

• Technical infrastructure and data provision 

• Dissemination, exploitation and collaboration activities 

Funding conditions 

Type of action: 
Research and Innovation Action (RIA) 

Funding rate: 
100% of eligible costs 

EU contribution per project: 
Around EUR 15 million 

Number of funded projects: 
3 project 

Project duration: 
Typically 36 months 

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 
Projects are expected to reach TRL 3–6 by the end of the project 

*Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) describe the maturity of a technology, from basic research (TRL 1) to fully deployed, market-ready solutions (TRL 9).

Deadline for submission

15 April 2026