Rechercher

3 565 résultats

• Capacity building in the field of higher education
  EU · Climate · ERASMUS · Deadline 2023-02-28

  Objective : The Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) action supports international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of higher education. It supports the relevance, quality, modernisation and responsiveness of higher education in third countries not associated to the Programme for socio-economic recovery, growth and prosperity and reacting to recent trends, in particular economic globalisation, but also the recent decline in human development, fragility, and rising social, economic and environmental inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The action is expected to contribute to the overarching priorities of the European Commission: Green Deal (develop competences in sustainability relevant sectors, green sectorial skills strategies, and methodologies) Digital transformation (development and uptake of digital skills) Integration of migrants (promote mobility and recognition of degrees and credentials) Governance, peace, security and human development (strengthen active citizenship) Sustainable growth and jobs (build skills for life and work), as well as to the external dimension of EU internal policies in the field of education. It will support a successful green and sustainable global economic recovery in the third countries not associated to the Programme, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. The activities and outcomes of CBHE projects must be geared to benefit the eligible third countries not associated to the Programme , their higher education institutions (HEI) and systems. Indicative 2023 CBHE budget per Region (in EURO) Region 1 Western Balkans 12.720.474 Region 2 Neighbourhood East 20.988.310 Region 2 Neighbourhood East Education digital environment for Ukraine 5.000.000 Region 3 South-Mediterranean countries 9.041.775 Region 5 Asia 21.165.532 Region 6 Central Asia 5.590.345 Region 7 Middle East 1.225.152 Region 8 Pacific 490.770 Region 9 Sub-Saharan Africa 28.360.063 Region 10 Latin America 10.847.300 Region 11 Caribbean 1.461.869 Total 2023 CBHE indicative budget 116.891.590 Scope : This Strand is designed to attract less experienced HEIs and small-scale actors to the CBHE action to facilitate access to newcomer organisations. These partnerships should act as a first step for HEIs and organisations with a smaller operational capacity located in third countries not associated to the programme to access and increase means to reach out to people with fewer opportunities. This Strand will finance small-scale projects to reduce the internationalisation gap among HEIs from eligible third countries not associated to the programme, from the same country or Region. Projects should establish partnerships to develop cooperation ideas as well as to facilitate transfer of know-how, experience and good practices, fostering access to capacity building opportunities and improving social inclusion and the access of students/staff with fewer opportunities to a qualitative higher education offer. In particular, these projects will particularly focus on: HEIs from least developed third countries not associated to the Programme; HEIs located in remote regions/areas of third countries not associated to the Programme; Newcomers or less experienced HEIs and Faculties from third countries not associated to the Programme; Students and staff with fewer opportunities. Overarching priorities to be covered by projects under Strand 1 Each applicant will need to identify in Part C of the application form only one of the overarching priorities , which are defined by the European Commission per Region. For Regions 1 to 3 sub-priorities have also been defined (see Part C of the application form). Within the overarching priority identified by the applicant, the project must choose mandatorily only one sub-priority. For Regions 5 to 11 only overarching priorities exist and only one of them must be chosen by the project. Overarching P

• Advanced Digital Skills
  EU · Social · CEF · Deadline 2023-09-26

  ExpectedOutcome : Concerning the projects addressing the Academic network (point I in scope above) Definition of the required curricula using the ECTS system with capacity for around 500 students/year across at least 5 Member States, for BSc and MSc levels. A scholarship programme for selected semiconductors students enrolled in the common curriculum at BSc and MSc levels. On-the-job experiences for undergraduate students in companies involved in the consortium. Upgrade of laboratories used for the teaching activities delivered by the project. Communication initiatives toward the public, including social media. Local or regional programmes led by the industrial partner(s) to target secondary school students, including for example a Summer/Winter School based on practical learning activities, introductory seminars, visit to facilities etc. Concerning the projects addressing the Vocational training (point II in scope above) Bootcamps, workshops and career days dedicated to semiconductors, addressing start-ups and SMEs needs, at least one of them focusing on diversity and inclusivity. Definition of VET curricula in semiconductors and delivery of the relevant training courses with capacity for around 1000 technicians involving at least 20 start-ups and SMEs across at least 5 Member States. Objective : The share of students choosing ICT and notably semiconductors disciplines is too low to satisfy the demand required by the labour market. It is estimated that the BRIICS countries (including Indonesia) will produce three-quarters of the global STEM graduates by 2030 while Europe will be lagging well behind with an 8% share [1] . The shortage of potential employees with specific knowledge in semiconductors, and in particular the negligible share of students willing to undertake this field, has many different causes related to the low awareness of the impact of semiconductors in the society and citizens’ daily life, and to low expectations in terms of prospective career and employment conditions. The problem is acute, given the gap between the labour market demands and the unavailability of both technicians and high-level graduates, and it is even more exacerbated by a strong gender imbalance. The image of semiconductors related jobs needs to be improved in this regard with a holistic approach by industry and academia, jointly addressing: The low awareness of the public, and particularly the younger generation, of the social importance of semiconductors and its benefits for the whole society, i.e., for the green and digital transition or the targets set by the Chips Act. The awareness gap on future work commitments and employment conditions. It is well known that studies are greatly influenced by students’ previous experience within the secondary school and in their private lives, which can hardly provide insight into this high-tech sector. Starting from the very first classes in secondary schools is of the greatest importance for targeting students interested to approach these disciplines, with particular focus on female students. The obstacles faced by companies, in particular SMEs given their limited means, to get the required talents, by setting up initiatives to attract both technicians and graduates, and bridge the gap between education and their labour demands. The need to provide updated academic curricula both in theoretical knowledge and lab experience on cutting edge topics - the high pace of advancements in the semiconductor sector forces upgrades that are difficult to implement by private and public universities, and liaison with industrial stakeholders is essential to access new technologies, launch educational opportunities and increase their attractiveness to students. The need of continuing vocational training to enhance employability, supporting personal development and encouraging re- and up-skilling. Technicians must be provided with additional training during their lifelong careers to keep up to date with new techn

• Personalised Medicine
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2017-03-14

  Specific Challenge : The use of interoperability standards is essential to the wider deployment of an EU eHealth single market. Despite previous Framework Programmes investments, there is still a profound lack of deployed interoperability between healthcare systems and services delivering healthcare and a need to stimulate the public procurement of eHealth solutions and integrated care services addressing complex organisational structures and interactions among people (recipients of care, care-givers, and others). The intention is to stimulate a lively market for innovative, standards-based, and interoperable health-information components. Scope : Proposals should address as primary aim public procurement of innovative solutions (PPI) to facilitate the deployment of an eHealth infrastructure taking into consideration the European eHealth Interoperability Framework and EU guidelines adopted by the eHealth Network. The proposals should also take into account national eHealth standardisation strategies when they exist. These PPI(s), and any accompanying innovation activities in particular by participating procurers themselves to facilitate the uptake of newly developed solutions, should focus on clear target outcomes such as allowing the sharing of health information, the use of semantically interoperable Electronic Health Records (EHRs) for safety alerts, decision support, care pathways or care coordination. The scope of the PPI(s) is to specify, purchase and deploy innovative ICT based solutions which can deliver sustainable, new or improved healthcare services across organisational boundaries while implementing eHealth interoperability standards, specifications and APIs (e.g. EN13606, HL7, Continua Alliance, IHE...). The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 3 and 4 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. Expected Impact : Wider uptake of eHealth interoperability standards Increased suppliers opportunities from wider market uptake of innovative solutions and services by forming a critical mass on the public demand side Provide solutions for creating a market of innovative, standards-based, and interoperable health-information components Better solutions specifications designed from a demand side perspective More forward-looking, concerted, public sector approach to eHealth interoperability Achieve the wider deployment of eHealth services Create a European role model in the eHealth interoperability field Increasing jobs in health and ICT and contributing to economic growth in the EU in the long-term Support forward looking, concerted public-sector investment strategies that benefit from jointly implementing PPIs across different countries around Europe Cross-cutting Priorities : Innovation Procurement

• Digital and emerging technologies for competitiveness and fit for the green deal
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2022-01-27

  ExpectedOutcome : Framework Partnership Agreements (FPAs) in Quantum Communication Technologies are expected to establish stable and structured partnerships between the Commission and the institutions and organisations who commit themselves to establish, maintain and implement a strategic research roadmap in Quantum Communication Technologies. These partnerships will be set up through two FPAs, which will enable the completion of the research roadmap within the context of the agreements. The consortia responding to the call may include research institutes, universities, RTOs, foundations, industry, SMEs as well as other organisations that can play a role in the realisation of Quantum Communication Technologies. The FPAs will specify the objectives, the nature of the actions planned, and the procedure for awarding specific grants. The first FPA (on “building the Quantum Internet”) is expected to contribute to the following outcomes: Demonstrate long-distance (i.e., above 500 km) entanglement distribution involving quantum memories, and demonstrate a fully functional prototype of a quantum repeater operating across multiple nodes of a real world communication network that will unlock the full potential of a global quantum internet interconnecting quantum computers, simulators and sensors via quantum networks; Demonstrate a scalable interface connecting quantum computers via a quantum network spanning multiple cities in order to enable advanced use cases of a quantum internet. Demonstrate a platform-independent software and network stack on a quantum communication/information network consisting of at least two quantum computing nodes with quantum memories. The network should demonstrate resistance to known forms of attack. The second FPA (on “quantum encryption and future quantum network technologies”) is expected to contribute to the following outcomes: Demonstrate open, large-scale, quantum communication networks and system architectures, based on cost-effective network devices and equipment necessary to distribute classical secret keys or quantum information transport over direct communication links as well as, across multi-node quantum networks, demonstrating secure communication over long distances as well as its integration with classical networks; and, support the development of applications over such networks relevant for the EuroQCI initiative, such as authentication, long-term secure storage, primitives for multi-party computation between untrusted players, and clock synchronisation. Demonstrate future quantum network technologies in support of the EuroQCI initiative, and showcase disruptive progress in the performance, reliability and efficiency of relevant digital components and devices. Scope : Proposals for FPAs are expected to develop quantum communication technologies with improved performance and security to ensure European leadership. They are expected to build on the ongoing projects supported under the Quantum Flagship ramp up phase and on those currently defining the EuroQCI initiative. Their focus should lie mainly in realising a quantum communication/information network, over very large distances, well beyond what is currently possible, and enabling advanced application functionality for distributing resources such as entanglement. This includes the development of quantum memories and quantum repeaters that are the building blocks of long-distance quantum communication networks on the ground, and could be deployed in a European quantum communication infrastructure (EuroQCI). Proposals for the first FPA (on “building the Quantum Internet”) should focus on the development of a quantum internet interconnecting quantum computers, simulators and sensors via quantum networks. These quantum networks should allow long-distance (>500 kilometres) entanglement-based quantum communication involving quantum memories, and will be inter-liked via a fully functional prototype of quantum repeaters. The FPA proposal shoul

• Information and Communication Technologies
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2018-04-17

  Specific Challenge : Rapidly increasing volumes of diverse data from distributed sources create challenges for extracting valuable knowledge and commercial value from data. This calls for novel methods, approaches and engineering paradigms in analytics and data management. As the success will require not only efficient data processing/management but also sufficient computing capacity and connectivity, a coordinated action with all related areas (e.g. analytics, software engineering, HPC, Cloud technologies, IoT) is necessary and will contribute to a European leadership in these areas. Scope : a) Research and Innovation Actions developing new big data analytics methodologies and engineering solutions addressing industrial and/or societal challenges. Proposals may cover (but are not limited to): architectures for collecting and managing vast amounts of data; system engineering/tools to contribute to the co-design of secure federated/distributed systems (to involve all stakeholders/technology areas); new methods for extreme-scale analytics, deep analysis, precise predictions and decision making support; novel visualization techniques; standardized interconnection methods for efficient sharing of heterogeneous data pools, seamlessly using distributed tools and services. The data assets should be available to the project and described in the proposal. The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 3 and 6 million would allow this area to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. b) One CSA to ensure coordination between the different existing activities in HPC/BD/Cloud technologies, including Public-Private Partnerships, digital innovation hubs, and relevant national and regional initiatives, in particular the European Network of National Big Data Centres of Excellence [1] . The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of EUR 1 million would allow this area to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. All grants under this topic will be subject to Article 30.3 of the grant agreement (Commission right to object to transfers or licensing). Expected Impact : a) Increased productivity and quality of system design and software development thanks to better architectures and tools for complex federated/distributed systems handling extremely large volumes and streams of data; Demonstrated, significant increase of speed of data throughput and access, as measured against relevant, industry-validated benchmarks; Demonstrated adoption of results of the extreme-scale analysis and prediction in decision-making (in industry and/or society) b) Effective cooperation of the participating initiatives and platforms as measured by the jointly participating members/users, countries/regions/cities and projects, and the organisation of common events and joint initiatives, resulting in an increased prevalence of data value chains and related technologies (HPC/BD/Cloud/IoT) in the national and regional strategies. Delegation Exception Footnote : This topic continue in 2020 under ICT-51-2020: Big Data technologies and extreme-scale analytics Cross-cutting Priorities : Contractual Public-Private Partnerships (cPPPs) BigData [1] http://i-know.tugraz.at/european-network/

• BIO BASED INDUSTRIES JOINT UNDERTAKING
  EU · Agri · Horizon · Deadline 2015-12-03

  Specific Challenge : Cellulose-based packaging composite materials, consisting of new compositions of cellulose fibres and biopolymers, could be a viable fully bio-based alternative for fossil-based mouldable plastics (e.g. PET, PP, PE and EPS) meeting the high demands of the packaging market. Cellulose-based packaging products have already been successfully produced for many years; however, in order to enlarge their market potential to specific higher demanding applications, such as in food and electronics packaging, new solutions are needed to improve their mechanical properties and address contaminant control (dust, bacteria and other impurities). An additional challenge is to combine these requirements with meeting the specific features required for aesthetic packaging (e.g. surface finishing, printability and durability). Scope : Demonstration of the techno-economic viability of a cellulose-based composite packaging enabling a reduction in weight and providing tailored shaped-to-purpose packages for various goods. Mechanical and functional properties (e.g. wet resistance) must be assessed against competing fossil-based products and relevant regulations, in particular when considering packaging for food products. Proposals should include activities to assure economical and sustainable access to sufficient raw material to set up the new value chain. Projects should produce a sufficient amount of composite packaging units in order to validate commercial viability of the process. Proposals will assess market demand and will address the validation and verification of the end products in terms of safety, quality and customer satisfaction. The integration of the developed approaches into a biomass cascading use should be demonstrated. Proposal will consider market pull related activities (e.g. standardisation, consumers’ perception) aimed at facilitating the market uptake of the developed products. Moreover, a life-cycle assessment should be carried out in order to evaluate the environmental and socio-economic performance of the developed products. The leading role of relevant industrial partners is considered essential to achieve the full impact. It is considered that proposals with a total eligible budget of up to EUR 15 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals with another budget. Expected Impact : Delivering a safe 100% bio-based and biodegradable product. Products are expected to be at least 10% lighter than the fossil alternatives at the same functional properties and show a radically improved environmental footprint over the product lifecycle; More than 50% CO 2 emission reduction compared to a competing fossil-based packaging material; Opening up new applications and markets and increase the competitiveness of the European pulp, board and paper making industries, additionally showing high potential in terms of job creation in rural areas, moreover showing high potential for replicability in Europe.

• 2016-2017 Mobility for Growth
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2016-01-20

  Specific Challenge : New lightweight materials and related construction principles can provide a step change in vessel efficiency, both in terms of energy use and maintenance costs. European technology leadership in this field (often held by innovative SMEs whose effective integration in the value chain is essential) needs to be translated into market demand in current and future markets, also beyond the maritime transport sector. The specific challenges are to research the functional characteristics of new lightweight and high performance materials for waterborne usages (vessels and components); to develop the most appropriate design, construction and production principles for small, medium sized and large vessels and for components (also by learning from applications in other transport modes); and to influence the regulatory environment in order to eliminate existing barriers and facilitate market take-up in the waterborne sector. Scope : In order to meet these challenges, proposals should address all the following aspects: ―Conception, production and use of advanced composites (including those that are bio-based or using renewable resources) and other high-performance materials, including multi-materials construction and joining / bonding. ―Comprehensive performance analysis and simulation for new advanced materials and entire constructions (including characteristics such as durability, resistance to corrosion and fouling), full life cycle costs analysis, and technology transfer from other transport applications for lightweight materials where feasible. ―Assessing risks and enhancing fire resistance properties and thermal and noise insulation qualities. The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 7 to 9 million each would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. Expected Impact : Activities will introduce new lightweight and high performance materials in waterborne applications through the demonstration of full feasibility of the use of such advanced materials, including design and production of vessels and components; through proving significantly lower maintenance and life cycle costs (at least -30% compared to conventional materials and processes); through the development of clear performance indicators (especially with regard to economic and environmental impacts) covering the entire life cycle; and through demonstrators (full scale where feasible) for clearly identified maritime applications. Inputs to pertinent regulatory regimes should be developed where applicable and necessary.

• Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future: climate action in support of the Paris Agreement
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2020-02-13

  Specific Challenge : Many of the natural physical processes occurring in the polar atmosphere and oceans are potentially of profound significance in controlling conditions across the globe and affecting lives and livelihoods across the world, in the Polar, sub-Polar, temperate, and tropical regions. Understanding the interacting nature and feedback of polar processes and addressing their consequences in a global context will benefit the people, policy and businesses well beyond the Polar Regions. Scope : Proposals should aim at developing innovative approaches, building on existing data resources and infrastructures, the latest observational products (including in-situ observations), and state-of-the-art climate models, to assess the key physical and chemical processes in the ocean and atmosphere and the key ocean-atmosphere-ice interactions. Proposals should cooperate with relevant projects funded by the ESA Earth Observation Programme. In addition, they are encouraged to join the EU Arctic Cluster in order to build synergies and maximise the complementarity of the different actions in the Cluster. Proposals should build upon previous actions funded under Horizon 2020 and avoid duplication or overlap. In line with the strategy for EU international cooperation in research and innovation (COM(2012)497), international cooperation is encouraged, in particular with countries – beyond the EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon 2020 – that took part in the Arctic Science Ministerial meetings of 28 September 2016 and 25-26 October 2018 [1] . The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the range of EUR 7-8 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. Expected Impact : The project results are expected to contribute to: improved understanding of how the changing polar climate systems affect and are affected by lower latitudes through ocean and atmospheric circulation; improved understanding of the key ocean-atmosphere-ice interactions; improved understanding of the fully coupled physical climate system (atmosphere-ocean-ice) on diverse space and time scales; improved understanding of the key physical and chemical processes in the ocean and in the atmosphere; improved projections of future polar and global climate, including feedbacks and impacts improved capability to respond to the impact of climatic change on the environment and human activities in the Polar Regions (with a focus on the Arctic), both in the short and longer term; the IPCC scientific assessments, the consolidation phase of the Year Of Polar Prediction (YOPP) and to the Copernicus Climate Change (C3S) services. supporting the assessment of regional climate impacts. Cross-cutting Priorities : Blue Growth International cooperation [1] i.e. the United States of America, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Russian Federation, South Korea, New Zealand, India, Singapore, and Greenland; see https://www.arcticscienceministerial.org/en/

• FET Proactive – Boosting emerging technologies
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2020-07-02

  Specific Challenge : To explore and consolidate a new technological direction in order to put it firmly on the map as a viable paradigm for future technology . To foster the interdisciplinary communities that are able to drive this forward, extending from the participating consortia to a wider European pool of expertise. To stimulate the emergence of a European innovation eco-system around a new technological paradigm, well beyond the world of research alone. Scope : proposals are sought for cutting-edge high-risk / high-reward research and innovation projects that aim to demonstrate a new technological paradigm within the scope of one of the following sub-topics: a. Artificial Intelligence for extended social interaction. This sub-topic explores the combination of new Artificial Intelligence and immersive interaction technologies to enhance the social dimension in future virtual social spaces. It aims to lay the basis for a new flavour of social media in which Europe can mark a difference. In 10-15 years from now, Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality (eXtended Reality, XR) will be as ubiquitous as Smart Phones are today, leading to new kinds of social media in which, on the one hand, interaction with others will become more natural while, on the other hand, entirely new experiences and ways of sharing become possible. The sub-topic addresses the redefinition of a person’s social interaction space in light of increasing virtualisation, unprecedented social scale information load and ubiquitous intelligence, leading to currently acute issues of trust, the nature of social relationships (beyond ‘friends’ and ‘followers’), believe formation, crowd- and organisation dynamics, the permeation of private and public spheres, or social exclusion and divides, among others. New human-centric and responsible Artificial Intelligence technologies can address these by bringing more social intelligence in the interaction environment and greater user-, contextual- and social awareness, and also through a tighter coupling with sensori/motor- and cognitive processes using, for instance, multimodal XR setups, or minimally invasive interfaces like spatial audio, smart skins, haptics, robotic devices and wearables. Projects will also investigate whether and how the perceptual- and sociocultural parameters implicit in natural, context-rich social interaction carry over to such virtual or hybrid settings. Influence on self-perception, well-being (addiction), acceptance, learning and brain-development/adaptation should also be considered, especially in scenarios of extensive and always-on use. Ethics, age- and gender differences, safety and health should be taken into account. b. Breakthrough zero-emissions energy storage and conversion technologies for carbon-neutrality. Provisioning clean and sustainable energy is one of the major challenges for Europe to meet its climate ambition. This sub-topic aims at multidisciplinary research (starting from TRL 1-3) for breakthroughs in energy storage and conversion that is clean, compact and ultimately low-cost, aimed at decentralised and/or mobile or portable uses in specific application contexts, for instance, in industry as substitutes to fossil fuels or raw materials for chemistry, in the transport sector (road, air, water and either for motive or auxiliary needs), for portable uses, in sustainable housing, remote places or in emergency situations. Novel concepts and breakthrough techniques with zero emissions of greenhouse gasses and a minimal use of rare or toxic materials have to be explored. Research areas could include storage and conversion of clean energy (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal), solar fuels and solar chemicals, possibly based on recycled and atmospheric CO2 or other. Research on electro-chemical batteries is not addressing this sub-topic. Where relevant, circular design and/or high degree of recyclability must be addressed. Clear and ambitious performance targets and milestones to achieve t

• Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future: climate action in support of the Paris Agreement
  EU · Energy · Horizon · Deadline 2020-02-13

  Specific Challenge : Forest fires are a major hazard in Mediterranean Europe and increasingly so in Central, Eastern and Northern European countries. There is a limit in our capacity to deter fires, particularly mega-fires when conditions are most severe. This is the result of unbalanced management strategies and policies that can be effective in fire suppression under normal weather conditions but are insufficient to deal with extreme events such as mega-fires. Areas at risk from forest fires are projected to increase by 200% in Europe by the end of the 21st century, in particular due to climate change. Moreover, the development of urban areas in the vicinity of forest areas combined with a lack of risk awareness will increase the exposure and vulnerability of local communities. This new context calls for more effective science-based fire management and risk-informed decision-making, which takes into account the socio-economic, climate and environmental roots of forest fires. Improving fire management and governance therefore implies shifting the focus from fire suppression to fire prevention, increasing the awareness and preparedness of people at risk, and developing more balanced and long term forest management strategies that integrate fire prevention with forestry and land management (including conservation of habitats structures, resources and diversity), rural development, urban development, climate and energy policy objectives. An integrated fire management strategy is necessary to ensure that wildfires risks are managed in such a way that people and housing safety, economic growth, well-being, carbon sinks, biodiversity and ecosystem services are maintained or increased. Scope : Actions should generate the knowledge, tools, capacity and guidance to underpin an Integrated Fire Management strategy that promotes holistic landscape, land use, and forest management and considers the interaction among all phases of the wildfire management process (i.e. fire prevention and preparedness, fire detection and response, post-fire restoration and adaptation). Proposals should assess the changes in fire regimes under various climate, vegetation and land use change scenarios, including settlement/housing development/infrastructure and rural-urban interface, with particular focus on ignition and fuel patterns, spatial and temporal dimensions of fire activity, including the expansion of the fire-prone area in Europe. Understanding extreme wildfire events, their structural causes, various impacts including on air quality, water quality, soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and greenhouse gas emissions, and the human, biological and physical processes at play is a prerequisite. The trade-offs and synergies between the various socio-economic, climate, and environmental elements influencing forest fires risk management and conditions of enhanced risk should be explored and analysed, particularly in wildland/rural interface areas. Methods to assess and mitigate vulnerability of societies to wildfires should also be developed. In addition, the relation of forest fires with other hazards that may trigger or result from fire (e.g., droughts, floods, debris flows, landslides, heatwaves and storms) should be investigated within a multi-hazard risk assessment framework. Proposals should capitalise on the existing and develop new scientific knowledge (e.g. fire ecology, soil and water science, landscape restoration, social sciences), enhance understanding of the resistance, resilience and habitat suitability of mixtures of plant species, as well as the human factors (considering human behaviour, gender, economics and socio-demographic issues) affecting fire occurrence and develop strategic guidance for improved forest fire risk management and risk-informed decision-making. Participatory approaches with national agencies and competent institutional bodies dealing with wildfire management and protection and land management are required. Actions should a

• Partnerships for Innovation: Alliances
  EU · R&D · ERASMUS · Deadline 2021-09-07

  Scope : Alliances for Innovation aim to strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity by boosting innovation through cooperation and flow of knowledge among higher education, vocational education and training (both initial and continuous), and the broader socio-economic environment, including research. They also aim to boost the provision of new skills and address skills mismatches by designing and creating new curricula for higher education (HE) and vocational education and training (VET) , supporting the development of a sense of initiative and entrepreneurial mind-sets in the EU. OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION These partnerships shall implement a coherent and comprehensive set of sectoral or cross-sectoral activities, which should be adaptable to future knowledge developments across the EU. To boost innovation, the focus will be on digital skills as they are increasingly important in all job profiles across the entire labour market. Also, the transition to a circular and greener economy needs to be underpinned by changes to qualifications and national education and training curricula to meet emerging professional needs for green skills and sustainable development. Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (implementing the ‘Blueprint’) ( European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1223) aim to create new strategic approaches and cooperation for concrete skills development solutions – both in the short and the medium term – in given economic sectors, or in areas implementing a major action of the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, the Pact for Skills . The main objective of the Pact is to mobilise and incentivize all relevant stakeholders to take concrete actions for the upskilling and reskilling of the workforce, by pooling efforts and setting up partnerships, also at EU level addressing the needs of the labour market, supporting green and digital transitions as well as national, regional and local skills and growth strategies. Therefore, the deliverables of Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills, i.e. sectoral skills intelligence, skills strategies, occupational profiles, training programmes, and long-term planning, will be an important contribution to the work of the sectoral partnerships that have joined the Pact for Skills. Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills seek to tackle skills gaps on the labour market that hamper growth, innovation and competitiveness in specific sectors or areas, aiming both at short term interventions and long term strategies. These Alliances will be implemented in the 14 industrial ecosystems identified in the New Industrial Strategy for Europe ( COM/2020/102 final: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0102 ) (see eligibility criteria). The Pact for Skills builds on and absorbs the Blueprint for sectoral cooperation on skills. Therefore, Alliances under Lot 2 will support the implementation of the Pact by developing a sectoral skills strategy. This strategy has to lead to systemic and structural impact on reducing skills shortages, gaps and mismatches, as well as ensuring appropriate quality and levels of skills. The sectoral skills strategy must include a clear set of activities, milestones and well-defined objectives with the goal to match demand and supply of skills to support the overall sector-specific growth strategy. The Alliances aim to build the base for the Pact for Skills and define the pathway that should be continued after the project is finalised. Drawing on evidence regarding skills needs with regard to occupational profiles, Blueprint Alliances support the design and delivery of transnational education & training content, as well as teaching and training methodologies, for quick take-up at regional and local level and for new occupations that are emerging. Proposals should include the design of continuing

• Information and Communication Technologies
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2018-04-17

  Specific Challenge : The challenge is to qualify 5G as a core connectivity infrastructure to address vehicle-to-everything (V2X), both from a technological and from a business perspective, for the higher automation levels (4, 5) defined by the automotive industry (SAE) and for new mobility services. Demonstrating the benefits of 5G connectivity should support innovative business models as "revenue generators", opening the door to private investments and to a broader digitisation of the automotive sector. It supports the realisation of the strategic objective of having all major transport paths covered by 5G connectivity in 2025 [1] through cross-border trials along roads planned for CCAM deployment ("5G corridors" [2] ). Scope : It covers the applicability of 5G connectivity to "Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility" (CCAM) V2X use cases, taking a broad service approach, including and reaching beyond the safety/efficiency use cases of C-ITS. It aims to qualify and quantify from a business perspective the added value of cellular connectivity compared to pure meshed connectivity or to purely disconnected scenarios, and to enable a wide range of services to connected vehicles in support of innovative business models enabled by 5G connectivity (e.g. new mobility scenario, car as cellular relay node). It takes forward cellular connectivity for vehicles, targeting use cases which are difficult or impossible to realise from a technical or business viewpoint with existing technology and requiring improved performance of typical parameters such as low latency, reliability, security, location, throughput, security. Validation of 5G in a broad CCAM context is realised through cross border trials along 5G corridors covering significant portions of roads and including the core technological innovation expected from 5G, such as (but not limited to) New Radio, new frequency bands [3] , C-RAN, Mobile Edge Computing, network virtualisation, new network architecture, cross domains data flows. Specific requirements of 5G technologies for connected, cooperative and automated driving will be determined. Results of the pilots are used to define options for deployment, taking into account the evolution from earlier cellular technology (e.g. LTE-V2X), and possible co-existence with other technologies (e.g IEEE 802.11p). Cost/complexity assessment of the various technology deployment options is in scope and identifies who has to invest and who will benefit commercially. The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 12,5 and 25 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. Expected Impact : - Validation of 5G technologies and architecture in an "extended CCAM" context, including validation of innovative business models and applicable standards. - Validated cost/benefit analysis of cross border 5G deployment enabling CCAM along 5G corridors potentially including several operator's domains. - Availability of deployment scenarios and strategies with broad base industry and administration consensus. - Identification of spectrum and standardisation gaps with impact at the level of standardisation (taking into account related developments at 3G PP RAN Level) and spectrum allocation bodies. Participation of key European industrial partners of both the ICT and the automotive sectors and with high standardisation impact is desired. Cross-cutting Priorities : Contractual Public-Private Partnerships (cPPPs) 5G [1] Communication of the Commission "A 5G Action plan for Europe", COM(2016) 588 [2] Corridors as referred to in the "Letter of Intent" signed by 27 EU Member States, see https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/cooperative-connected-and-automated-mobility-europe [3] 3,5 Ghz band is the target option for V2N applications, though other bands may be considered

• Digital Security Focus Area
  EU · Social · Horizon · Deadline 2016-08-25

  Specific Challenge : Many cyber security failures in systems and organisations can only be explained and appropriately addressed by examining the problem through not only from the technical point of view but also through a deep societal, institutional and economic analysis. Moreover, current structures at institutional level (national and international) as well as incentive frameworks (financial or regulatory, positive or negative) don't seem to be able to provide adequate coverage to threats. Scope : With a multidisciplinary approach combining economic, behavioural, societal and engineering insights, measurement approaches and methodologies and combining methods from microeconomics, econometrics, qualitative social sciences, behavioural sciences, decision making, risk management and experimental economics, proposals are expected to cover one of the following two strands: Cybersecurity cost-benefit framework: Security and privacy cost models including the pricing of digital assets, modelling and methods for estimation of costs of intangible risks (reputation, non-critical service disruption…) and relevant metrics and indicators; The proposals should study and take into consideration relevant market sector specificities, and validate their models with relevant actors from these sectors. Optimal investment in information security, risk management and cyber security insurance; Incentives and business models: Identifying the incentives and striking the right balance between cooperative and regulatory approaches to information sharing regarding incidents and vulnerabilities; Consider behavioural aspects of security and privacy; Investigate the opportunities and risks of information security markets (e.g. bug bounties, vulnerability discovery & disclosure); Develop revenue models for criminal activity and the deployment of cost-effective security measures as necessary disincentive for attacks and cyber-criminal activity. For both strands proposals should also investigate improvements and/or alternatives to current institutional and governance frameworks (market-driven as well as national and international regulatory) with a view to improving cybersecurity. Based on their results, proposals should provide a set recommendations addressed to all relevant stakeholders including policy makers, regulators, law enforcement agencies (where applicable) as well as relevant market operators and insurance companies. The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 1 and 2 million would allow these areas to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts Expected Impact : Improved societal understanding of information security failures and how they should be addressed. Improved risk-based information security investment. Increased societal resilience to cyber security risks through more efficient and effective institutional and incentives structures. Progress beyond the state of the art in information security economics models. Cross-cutting Priorities : Socio-economic science and humanities

• Resilient Infrastructure 2023
  EU · Digital · Horizon · Deadline 2023-11-23

  ExpectedOutcome : Projects’ results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes: Tools for EU Member State authorities and operators for the assessment and anticipation of relevant risks to the provisions of essential services are identified; The cooperation between authorities of EU Member States is facilitated by providing solutions for data exchange and joint cross-border risk assessments; Simulation tools are developed for large-scale exercises to test the resilience of operators and of specific sectors, and related training courses are designed; Measures by Member State authorities to facilitate risk assessments by operators are identified, including the assessment of dependencies on different sectors and cross-border interdependencies; Provide common European guidance and support for the drafting of their resilience plans in order to meet all the provisions of the proposed CER-Directive: risk analysis, domino effects, cross-sector and cross-border analysis, standardised plans, educational and training tools; An all-hazards framework is created to support Member States in ensuring improved concepts and instruments for the anticipation of risks to entities that provide essential services, resulting in an improved preparedness and response against disruptions of key sectors in the EU and enhanced resilience of the EU internal market. Scope : The EU Security Union Strategy for 2020-2025 [1] , Counter-Terrorism Agenda [2] . for the EU and the Cyber Security Strategy stress the importance of ensuring resilience in the face of various risks. The livelihoods of European citizens and the good functioning of the internal market depend on the reliable provision of services fundamental for societal or economic activities in many different sectors. Those services often are reliant upon one another, thus disruptions in one sector can generate severe and long-lasting effects on the provision of services in others. Member States hold the primary responsibility in ensuring that operators who use critical infrastructures to deliver such services (hereafter: ‘operators’) comply with applicable rules and have the necessary support to ensure their own resilience and as part of a complex system of interdependencies. On EU-level, there has been a revision of certain legislation aiming at the minimum harmonisation of such rules, such as the directive on the resilience of critical entities (CER [3] ) and the directive on measures for high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS-2 [4] ). In combination with sectoral EU-legislation and policies on resilience (e.g. for a Network Code on sector-specific rules for cybersecurity aspects of cross-border electricity flows [5] ), this provides a comprehensive framework that needs to be put in practice. “Facilitating strategic cooperation” refers to the necessity for public authorities of the Member States to be able to exchange information, in a secure way, on the risk assessments of their critical entities as well as their resilience. “Critical entities” is the specific term used in the CER directive to designate those entities that will be identified by the Member States under the directive. Pursuant to the directive, in particular of its articles 1 and 5, the identity of the critical entities will be classified. In the performance of the project, project participants will interact directly with Member States authorities responsible for risk assessment and analysis of the vulnerabilities of their critical entities. Pursuant to the proposed directive, the confidentiality of the critical entities (and of their vulnerabilities) shall be ensured and protected. Proposals under this topic should support the competent authorities of Member States to identify and develop the most suitable tools, solutions and strategies to ensure the resilience of key sectors and thus facilitate the implementation of [related/ future] EU legislation. Applicants should focus on delivering solutions t

• Shift2Rail JU call proposals 2020
  EU · Horizon · Deadline 2020-05-27

  Specific Challenge : For the full topic description, please refer to Annex II of the 2020 Annual Work Plan (2020 Call for proposals for non-JU members).

• Water Innovation: Boosting its value for Europe
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2014-04-08

  Scope : Specific challenge : Effective use and market exploitation of water research results is often limited by the lack of adequate knowledge exchange practices and mechanisms. The same applies for research that gives answers to policy implementation, like achieving good status under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) or good environmental status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and achieving the objectives of other EU water legislation. This is exacerbated by the fact that water research and innovation faces several multidisciplinary challenges and involves a wide variety of policy sectors, decision makers, public and private users and stakeholders at various levels. Critical mass is needed for knowledge exchange, to ensure wide applicability of research results, facilitate the translation of knowledge into use by various stakeholders, reduce unnecessary duplication of efforts, raise public awareness of water-related issues and promote innovation and business development. Scope : Proposals should aim to address only one of the following issues: promote the dissemination and exploitation of EU funded activities, including relevant ICT-based tools and platforms and their integration for market leadership in many fragmented areas, develop appropriate policy briefs, and foster knowledge sharing and continuous benchmarking across the EU and Associated Countries to ensure wider application of innovative solutions and further demonstrate their potential to solve water-related challenges, including through river basin networks and River Basin Districts; or take stock of existing practical and scientific knowledge in the various sectors and identify research gaps with a view to avoiding overlaps between key regional, national, European and international activities, taking into account the implementation of the WFD; or promote water-related innovation and business development, help cluster eco-innovative companies and develop innovative financial instruments; or develop a coordinated approach to the integration of the water and waste sectors in the 'Smart Cities and Communities' EIP[1], identifying research and innovation needs which could lead to future actions, promoting exchange of best practice between public authorities and stakeholders involved, and increasing preparedness and planning capacities of all the relevant actors. The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the range of EUR 1 million for sub-topic a) would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. Expected impact : Enhanced science- and evidence-based decision making in the field of water. Application of best management practices and new developments to address needs and opportunities in the water field. Enhanced interface between water and innovation policies. Rapid market uptake of research results in line with the priority areas of the EIP 'Water'[2]. A more integrated community of researchers and users extending across disciplines, countries, organisations and sectors. Improved public engagement in research and improved public understanding of the dynamic nature of water systems and the role of innovation in the water sector. Integration of the water and waste sectors into the Smart Cities EIP, reinforcing its ultimate goal of contributing to achieving the 3 bottom line objectives (20-20-20). Type of action: Coordination and support actions [1] http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/innovationpartnership/ [2] http://ec.europa.eu/eip/smartcities/ Cross-cutting Priorities : Contractual Public-Private Partnerships (cPPPs) Y

• Energy Efficiency
  EU · Energy · Horizon · Deadline 2014-06-05

  Scope : Specific challenge: Sub-optimal levels of investment in sustainable energy (in particular energy efficiency) are linked to a lack of trust of investors and financiers in the financial viability of sustainable energy measures, a lack of capacity in the public and private sectors to structure their projects, split incentives (e.g. rental buildings), and a lack of large-scale successful flagship projects. New bank capital requirements [1] have decreased banks´ lending capacity and willingness to invest in the sustainable energy sector, which is still deemed by many to be risky The financial sector needs to be convinced to develop new financing products and practices that can respond to the constraints of the market. Scope: Project proposals and activities should foster dialogue with and between financial market actors, standardisation and valuation entities, industry, public authorities, consumers and property owners. They should lead to development of new business models and financial products, ensuring synergies of public and private finance. Proposals focusing on the development of frameworks for standardisation and benchmarking of investments, such as labelling and standardisation of sustainable energy investments / portfolios, or valuation techniques integrating the 'green value' of buildings. Proposals integrated in a broader approach such as socially responsible investment or 'green buildings' should focus on the energy component. Proposals targeting public institutional investors (e.g. public or semi-public pension schemes) in order to increase the share of their funds invested in sustainable energy, or to develop specific funds or investment products. Proposals aiming to create EU and national sustainable energy financing platforms to organise dialogue with the relevant stakeholders and (among others) develop roadmaps, propose improvements in the legal frameworks and develop template documents and contracts leading to a better understanding of the market. Proposals must include a clear action plan to communicate across Europe towards potential replicators. The mechanism for knowledge sharing between countries will be established by the Commission services. The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 0.5 and 2 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. For all proposals, at least three legal entities must participate in the action; each of the three legal entities shall be established in a different eligible country; and all three legal entities shall be independent of each other. However, proposals aiming to create national sustainable energy financing platforms may be submitted by one entity. Expected impact: Proposals should lead to reduced uncertainty as regards investments into sustainable energy in terms of increased investors' confidence and trust. Further, relevant projects should deliver innovative (and relevant) asset valuation methodologies agreed by the market and/or standardised descriptions of sustainable energy investments or measures/contracts and/or labelling schemes or harmonised frameworks for sustainable energy investments and/or National strategies for financing sustainable energy investments. Type of action: Coordination and Support Actions [1] Basel III Cross-cutting Priorities : Socio-economic science and humanities

• ICT 2015 - Information and Communications Technologies
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2015-04-14

  Scope : Specific Challenge: Continuous and consistent support to roadmap-based research will be essential to attain a world-leading position in the robotics market. The priorities in this specific challenge are based on input from the Public-Private partnership in Robotics[1], also building on the results of previous calls. Collaborative projects will cover multi-disciplinary R&D and innovation activities like technology transfer via use-cases and industry-academia cross fertilisation mechanisms. PCP will further enable prototype development and stimulate deployment of industrial and service robotics. Scope : a. Research & Innovation Actions to advance key technologies relevant for industrial and service robotics In terms of market domains, the priorities are: healthcare, consumer, transport. The primary goal is to significantly improve the level of industrial and service robotics abilities in the context of the above mentioned market domains by addressing: adaptability, cognitive ability, configurability, decisional autonomy, dependability, flexibility, interaction capability, manipulation ability, motion capability, perception ability. To reach this ambitious goal, key robotics technologies need to be advanced in the particular fields of cognition, human-robot interaction, mechatronics, navigation, perception. This includes technology combinations such as grasping and dexterous manipulation, physical HRI, mobile manipulation, reactive planning and other combinations, in particular those that connect the key technologies above. The priority market domains cover also enabling robotics technologies for disabled people; this applies in particular for people with upper, lower limb disabilities and/or amputees allowing them to gain functionalities with exoskeletons or prostheses. To prove the exploitation potential of the results the project outcome is to be shown in market domain-relevant demonstrations proving an increased TRL. b. Innovation Actions: Technology transfer - Industry-academia cross-fertilisation The aim is to gear up and accelerate cross-fertilisation between academic and industrial robotics research to strengthen synergies between their respective research agendas through joint industrially-relevant scenarios, shared research infrastructures and joint small- to medium-scale experiments with industrial platforms. Proposals are expected to demonstrate technology transfer in professional or service robotics, in application areas such as manufacturing, commercial, civil, agriculture, healthcare, consumer or transport. Activities are expected to be clustered to facilitate a sectorial structured dialogue and to substantially improve overall impact. The action may involve financial support to third parties in line with the conditions set out in Part K of the General Annexes. In such case, the consortium will define the selection process for additional academic/research organisations, industry or end-users as appropriate to carry out the experiments in order to reach the objectives defined in the proposals. c. Innovation Actions: Technology transfer - Robotics use cases Using leading edge science and technology, a targeted effort will aim at introducing, testing and validating promising and innovative robotics solutions in industrial and service sectors. The focus will be on the robust operational deployment of these robotic solutions, based on performance objectives, metrics, and user needs. The strong involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the value chain is essential. d. Pre-commercial procurement in robotics Demand-driven innovation actions will be pursued in areas of public interest, including pre-commercial procurement of innovative robotics solutions for the healthcare sector. e. Coordination Actions: Community building and Robotic competitions Supporting the European robotics community with respect to networking, education, outreach, public awareness, technology watch, standardisation, and industry-academia c

• Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future: climate action in support of the Paris Agreement
  EU · R&D · Horizon · Deadline 2019-02-19

  Specific Challenge : Climate change is predicted to pose the greatest long-term threat to biodiversity in many regions. It is affecting the habitats of many species, which must either adapt or migrate to areas with more favourable conditions. Biodiversity changes can have knock-on effects upon a range of ecosystem functions and services, including food and biomass production and capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Feedback processes may amplify or diminish the effect of climate forcing, and so play an important part in determining the climate sensitivity to human activities and the future climate state. Addressing the impact of climate change requires the mobilisation of all relevant actors: academia, research institutes, public authorities at various levels, manufacturing industry and business at large, finance and insurance, non-governmental organisations and civil society. A properly aligned European Research Area, which is also open to the world, can make an essential difference in enabling a transformative, climate-resilient sustainability agenda to take shape. The alignment of research and innovation agendas is therefore crucial in bringing about the necessary transformations. Scope : The Cofund action should examine: the impact of climate change on all levels of biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services; feedback processes; the potential of nature-based solutions for enhancing climate change adaptation, mitigation, including negative emissions; and synergies and trade-offs between different policies, including those on biodiversity, climate action and air quality. The action should capitalize on major strands of knowledge and on the results of relevant projects funded under past EU Framework Programmes. The Cofund action will target all types of terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments, which may also include the impact of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and services in agricultural areas and taking agricultural and forestry policies into account. The Cofund action should be implemented through close cooperation between the Member States and Associated Countries grouped around the BiodivERsA network and in collaboration with the FACCE JPI. The Cofund action should envisage clustering activities with other relevant selected projects for cross-projects co-operation, consultations and joint activities on cross-cutting issues and share of results as well as participating in joint meetings and communication events. To this end, proposals should foresee a dedicated work package and/or task, and earmark the appropriate resources accordingly. The Cofund action should also take into account data and information from the Copernicus programme, as the European Union's Earth Observation Programme. Proposals should pool the necessary financial resources from the participating national (or regional) research programmes with a view to implementing a joint call for proposals resulting in grants to third parties with EU co-funding in this area. Proposers are requested to include at least one additional joint call without EU co-funding as well as other activities such as the establishment or consolidation of a pan-European network of funding agencies and other key players in Europe, building on previous experience and avoiding overlaps with existing initiatives, support to mutual learning and training, exchange of good practice, researcher mobility and equal opportunities (e.g. through EURAXESS) and better careers in the field. Wherever relevant, actions should involve social sciences and humanities. Participation of legal entities from third countries, and/or regions including those not automatically eligible for funding in accordance with General Annex A, is encouraged in the joint call as well as in other joint activities including additional joint calls without EU co-funding. Participants from countries not listed in General Annex A are eligible for EU funding under this t

• CEF 2 Transport - Actions related to smart and interoperable mobility – General envelope
  EU · Digital · LIFE · Deadline 2023-01-18

  Objective : Virtual Centres The objective of the demonstrations under this topic is to address the issue of the lack of flexibility in sector configuration capabilities at pan-European level clearly highlighted by the airspace architecture study. This lack of flexibility is caused by the close coupling of ATM service provision to ATS systems and operational procedures, preventing air traffic from making use of cross-border service provision and data sharing. A more flexible use of external data services, taking into account data properties and access rights, would allow the infrastructure to be rationalised, reducing the related costs. This would enable data-sharing, foster more dynamic airspace management and ATS provision, and allow Air Traffic Service Units (ATSUs) to improve capacity in portions of airspace where traffic demand exceeds available capacity. Furthermore, it offers options for the contingency of operations and increased resilience of ATS provision. Cost-efficiency. Virtualisation in support of delegation of the provision of ATSs among ATSUs will have an impact on Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) capabilities in terms of resource management at both staffing and facilities level (cost optimisation). Capacity/resilience. More manoeuvring margin on resources management by the ANSP will lead to a better use of spare capacity (fewer demand measures required). More dynamic airspace management will contribute to improving capacity while responding with flexibility to airspace users’ flight trajectory needs. Environment. The delegation of the provision of ATSs among ATSUs, for both cross-border and non-cross-border cases, will make ATS provision more seamless, as load balancing between ATSUs and avoidance of airspace or ATS provision disruptions will allow Airspace Users (AUs) to fly more efficient trajectories. The Digital Sky Demonstrators will help to increase buy-in from the ATM community to SESAR Solutions and will provide further evidence to support the business case for them. The Digital Sky Demonstrator instrument will provide a basis for achieving a critical mass of early movers, thus accelerating market uptake, facilitating the industrialisation process for SESAR solutions and promoting their deployment. All stakeholders will have an opportunity to learn and exchange practical expertise related to the introduction of SESAR solutions. Scope : To successfully address the expected outcomes, all or some of the following priorities should be addressed: Demonstration of a new Air Traffic Service (ATS) operating model based on the delegation of ATS using virtual centres (VC). The objective is to demonstrate the increased efficiency and resilience of the ATS thanks to better use of resources across ATSU borders; the scope includes the following elements. Delegation of ATS among ATSUs based on traffic/organisation needs (either static on fixed-time transfer schedule (e.g. day/night) or dynamic e.g. when the traffic density is below/above a certain level) or on contingency needs. ATFCM aspects in support of the delegation of ATS, including the interaction with the Network Manager (NM) on dynamic sectorisation and flow allocation. This may include the dynamic delegation of ATS provision for load balancing (ATFCM), cross-border rostering concepts, etc. The delegation of the ATFCM service provision between ATSUs may also be considered. Civil–military aspects of delegation of ATSs (e.g. delegation of ATS provision between civil and military ATSUs). The digitalisation of ATC systems enables virtualisation approaches in which remote operations become an important contributor to resource pooling and rationalisation. Civil–military ATSUs will be able to delegate the airspace to another ATSU as long as there is guarantee of seamless ATS provision in the delegated airspace. Virtual control centres allow for more efficient and flexible use of resources, with civil–military synergies. The Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) rece