Open Call Description:
The FFplus project has launched two complementary open calls aimed at fostering digital innovation among European SMEs and start-ups. The first call focuses on 'Innovation Studies', targeting companies already proficient in generative AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC). This initiative aims to support these businesses in developing and customising advanced AI models, such as Large Language Models (LLMs), using large-scale European HPC resources. The strategic objective is to strengthen the technological capabilities of European SMEs in the generative AI sector, enhancing their innovation potential and competitiveness on a global scale.
The second call, 'Business Experiments', is designed for SMEs with no prior experience in HPC services. This call seeks to demonstrate the practical benefits of HPC adoption in solving specific business challenges across various sectors. The selected projects will serve as success stories, showcasing the positive impact of HPC integration on business operations and outcomes. Both calls, running in parallel, represent a significant opportunity for European SMEs and start-ups to leverage cutting-edge technologies, with a focus on creating tangible business impacts and promoting the wider adoption of HPC and AI technologies across the European SME ecosystem.
FFplus Open Call Details:
Type 1 - Business Experiments
Addresses the adoption of HPC by SMEs to solve specific business challenges
For SMEs with no prior use or experience of HPC services
Maximum duration: 15 months
Targeted commencement: 1st January 2025
Total funding budget: €4 million
Maximum funding request per proposal: €200,000 (covering all participants)
Type 2 - Innovation Studies
Supports European SMEs and Start-Ups already active in generative AI technology
For those lacking the necessary computational resources to scale up
Maximum duration: 10 months
Targeted commencement: 1st December 2024
Total funding budget: €4 million
Maximum funding request per proposal: €300,000 (covering all participants)
Application Process:
Submission deadline: 4th September 2024 at 17:00 Brussels local time
Webinars scheduled for 1st July and 8th July to provide more information
The complete announcement and proposer’s guide for the current open call are linked here: FFplus Call-1: Type 1 Announcement document & FFplus Call-1: Type 2 Announcement document.Â
Who is the Open Call designed for:
SMEs and Start-ups with head offices based in EU Member States or associated countries eligible for Digital Europe Programme funding
For Business Experiments: SMEs from varied application domains, prioritising those whose adoption of advanced HPC services will create the highest business impact
For Innovation Studies: SMEs and Start-ups already active in the field of generative AI technology
Supporting organisations (e.g., research institutes, universities, ISVs, IT providers) can also participate
Please note SMEs (in the role of main participant) may only participate in one of the two types of sub-projects; i.e. participation is mutually exclusive.