Funded under the Horizon Europe program, the COP-PILOT project has launched its 1st Open Call to develop and test solutions within its Collaborative Open Platform (COP) framework, which enables end-to-end service orchestration across emerging smart IoT and edge computing environments. The call seeks 8 innovative projects to address real-world challenges across 5 specific clusters: Mining, Smart Cities & Buildings, Agriculture, Energy, and Smart Vineyards/Manufacturing. Selected projects will integrate their AI-driven tools, applications, and infrastructure services into the COP-PILOT platform to drive cross-sector innovation.

📅 Call Timeline

• Opening Date: 16 February 2026 (11.00)
• Information Webinar: 26 March 2026 (16.00)
• Submission Deadline: 17 April 2026 (19.00)

✅ Eligibility

• Single SMEs (including startups) or SME-led consortia comprising at least 2 partners.
• Consortium partners can include large enterprises, research institutions, universities, non-profit organizations, and public entities.
• Applicants must be legally registered in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

📂 Support Scope and Duration

• The standard project execution duration is 8 months with the addition of 2 months for reporting.
• Personnel salaries, travel costs for meetings/site visits, computing hardware and software licenses, subcontracting (with clear justification, max 20%), and other direct costs (consumables, publications) are covered.

💶 Funding Opportunities

• Maximum funding per project is €200,000.
• The funding rate is 100% of eligible costs; no co-financing is required.
• Indirect costs can be included at a flat rate of up to 25% of the total direct costs.

📌 Useful Links

• COP-PILOT Call Website
• Guideline for Applicants
• Technical Rules Document
• Frequently Asked Questions Document