COSMIC 2nd Open Call

COSMIC supports AI- and data-driven solutions that optimise energy and resource use and contribute to the European Green Deal. The 2nd Open Call funds individual SME and startup projects that develop, test and validate one solution for one specific COSMIC challenge in real pilots.

This call is a strong opportunity for ambitious SMEs and startups that already have an AI- or data-based concept and want to validate it in a serious European setting. COSMIC is looking for individual SMEs, including startups, from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, so entrepreneurs from both Germany and the Netherlands can apply. The focus is on one clearly defined challenge in energy resource optimisation, with examples such as carbon-footprint integration, smart appliances and meters, waste-sorting assistance, and user-focused analytics. If your company develops software, machine learning, computer vision, data analytics, IoT integrations, or sustainability technology, this call is directly relevant.

Selected beneficiaries can receive a lump sum of up to €150,000, and for-profit applicants must provide at least 30% self-financing of the total project budget. Non-profit legal entities may be eligible for up to 100% funding.

Collaboration with another organisation is not mandatory for applicants, because the call is aimed at individual SMEs, but selected beneficiaries will work closely with COSMIC technical and pilot partners during mentoring, integration, testing, and validation.

The programme lasts 10 months and combines technical mentoring, solution development, pilot testing, and business support toward market readiness.

This is not a first-come, first-served call: proposals are evaluated on excellence, impact, and implementation quality. Applicants must submit in English via the online system and may submit up to three proposals, but only one can be selected for funding. Each proposal must target one single challenge and should aim to reach TRL 6 to 7 by the end of the project, starting from at least TRL 3.

Administrative obligations are substantial but manageable: applicants must complete all mandatory sections, provide true and complete information, sign a sub-grant agreement if selected, and be ready to provide legal and financial documents during the formal check. Because COSMIC uses a lump-sum model, progress against milestones and deliverables matters greatly throughout the project. For entrepreneurs in the Tech.Land region, this makes COSMIC especially attractive as a route to international testing, stronger market credibility, and access to industrial pilots and expert support in Europe.

The support covers a lump-sum project for eligible work such as solution development, integration with existing platforms, testing and validation in pilots, proof-of-concept and demonstration activities, and resource-use assessment linked to the proposed service or solution. The grant is paid against agreed milestones and deliverables, so COSMIC does not require strictly defined accounting documents such as invoices to prove costs to the programme, although beneficiaries must still keep documentation required under fiscal rules. For-profit beneficiaries must finance at least 30% of the total project budget themselves, while non-profit legal entities may be eligible for up to 100% funding.

Companies with an interest in the program can get more support via the TECH.LAND partners. For more information, please contact:

Vincent Bökkerink
Project Developer and funding TECH.LAND
X-Border Cooperation North Westphalia & East Netherlands
https://techland.org/
bokkerink@techland.org
+31 6 51 98 75 07