AI-powered impact simulations in support of the Destination Earth initiative

This opportunity aims to support the creation of AI-powered impact simulations in line with the Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative. The main goal is to enable innovative uses of artificial intelligence for local impact assessments, leveraging large-scale scenarios from digital twins. Focus areas include developing user-friendly interfaces for non-technical users, establishing best practices in impact assessment, and integrating advances in AI and Earth system science. Projects should connect with existing DestinE Digital Twins and services to address new domains and evolving user needs. The opportunity is open to participants from EU and associated countries, with some provisions for certain non-EU countries.

• Proposals must follow page limits and layout requirements as described in the application guidelines.
• Projects must include participants from eligible countries.
• Projects using weather, climate, or satellite-based data must utilize services from Destination Earth, Copernicus, or Galileo/EGNOS.
• Innovative use of AI in line with EU strategies is required.
• Projects should address user needs, involve at least three distinct user groups, and aim for both daily and long-term sustainability.
• Collaboration with entities such as ESA, ECMWF, and EUMETSAT is expected.

Examples:

• Developing an AI tool that helps city planners assess flood risks by integrating DestinE climate data and presenting results through a simple dashboard for non-technical users.
• Creating a user-friendly platform that uses Copernicus satellite data and AI to predict air quality impacts in urban areas, involving local government, schools, and health organizations as user groups.
• Designing a simulation interface that allows farmers, researchers, and policy makers to visualize and plan for drought scenarios using DestinE Digital Twins and AI-driven analysis.

• Personnel costs for researchers, developers, and support staff
• Costs for acquiring and processing data from DestinE, Copernicus, or Galileo/EGNOS
• Purchase or rental of computing equipment and software licenses
• Costs for developing user interfaces and digital platforms
• Expenses related to collaboration with entities such as ESA, ECMWF, and EUMETSAT
• Travel and meeting expenses for project coordination and dissemination
• Subcontracting of specialized services directly related to the project
• Training and capacity-building activities for project users
• Communication and dissemination activities to reach target user groups
• Project management and administrative costs

All expenses must fit within the lump sum funding model and comply with Horizon Europe guidelines.

• Budget for this Call: 30,000,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 4
• Maximum value per project: 10,000,000€
• Minimum value per project: 7,000,000€

• Applicants must be from eligible EU or associated countries; some non-EU countries may participate if specific provisions exist.
• Projects using weather or climate data must engage with the Destination Earth initiative and its community.
• Projects using satellite-based data must utilize Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS services.
• Proposals must comply with page limits and layout requirements in the application guidelines.
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity.
• All project costs must be presented as lump sums in line with Horizon Europe rules.
• Projects should involve at least three distinct user groups.
• Applicants are expected to collaborate with relevant European entities such as ESA, ECMWF, and EUMETSAT.