New EU Grants - Space, AI, and More Opportunities in August 2025
Since creating Subsdy, I routinely get new updates on grant additions to the EU Funding & Tenders portal. What surprised me most was just how many open calls there are. With over 1,000 in the Subsdy database, 5-10 are added every day and the same number expires (i.e., the deadline has passed).
As a result, there is a constant flow of new opportunities.
For someone who mostly focuses on very few grants, this was an eye-opener, since my advice to companies has always been to diversify. Applying for a single grant is not the best strategy. It is much more beneficial to apply for multiple grants just to account for the randomness in the evaluation process.
Due to the subjective perspectives of the evaluators, a 90% great proposal is usually as good as a 99.9% perfect one. That is the reality of dealing with any evaluation system.
Very often, grants can be a numbers game.
So, here are the new additions to the EU Funding & Tenders portal! Maybe one of them is your next opportunity (I am including service contracts this time):
Space
Innovative Space-Based Applications for Resilient Europe
This funding supports industry stakeholders, especially SMEs, universities, and security practitioners in developing space applications that enhance crisis and security capabilities across Europe. Projects receive between €1.5 million and €1.8 million with requirements for cross-border collaboration from at least two different EU Member States or Associated Countries, focusing on achieving Technology Readiness Levels 7-9.
Space Data Economy
This Horizon Europe call supports industry, SMEs, research institutions, and city authorities in developing innovative solutions utilizing EU space data for energy, climate adaptation, green financing, and urban development applications. Projects receive between €1.5 million and €2.5 million as lump sum grants, with consortium applications required to submit comprehensive business plans demonstrating viable pathways to market impact.
Consultants
EIC Community and Ecosystem Partnership Programme
This tender aims to enhance the EIC Business Acceleration Services by coordinating communication, organizing community events, managing ecosystem partners, and providing training sessions. The contract includes responsibilities for strengthening innovation ecosystems and supporting operational activities crucial to the advancement of the EIC's Business Acceleration Services.
AI
AI for Public Good Lot 1 (Health: Innovative AI-based cancer imaging solutions for breast and prostate diagnosis) and Lot 2 (Energy: Innovative AI-based solutions for electric grid optimization)
This initiative is structured into two distinct lots targeting the health sector and energy sector, with Lot 1 focusing on innovative AI-powered solutions for cancer imaging and Lot 2 developing AI solutions for electric grid optimization. The procurement aims to support projects that benefit the EU and European communities.
MareNostrum5 AI-enabled Supercomputer upgrade
This tender seeks to upgrade the MareNostrum5 supercomputer with artificial intelligence capabilities, incorporating advanced GPU capabilities, accelerated hardware, high-speed interconnects, large data storage, and energy-efficient cooling systems. The project focuses on integrating cutting-edge computational resources tailored for AI applications, targeting sectors such as healthcare, climate science, and autonomous systems.
FFplus Second Call for Generative AI Models
This grant supports SMEs and startups in developing generative AI models using European high-performance computing infrastructure, with up to €200,000 for the main SME participant and €150,000 for supporting participants. The program covers 100% of eligible direct costs with no financial contribution required, making it highly attractive for companies looking to develop foundation and large language models without equity dilution.
COSMIC 1st Open Data Solutions to Boost the Green Transition
This grant targets SMEs and startups developing AI and data-driven solutions for energy efficiency and resource optimization, with solutions validated in large-scale pilots across six European countries. The program includes a comprehensive 10-month support program with mentoring and business scaling, making it ideal for companies looking to transition from proof of concept to implementation in the green tech sector.
WASABI: Open Call for Experiments 2
This grant enables manufacturing SMEs to develop and implement AI-based assistance technologies for enhanced operational efficiency and human-AI collaboration in manufacturing processes. The 12-month program includes access to Digital Innovation Hubs and focuses on advanced functionalities like human-machine interfaces, employee onboarding systems, and conversational AI for data access.
Other
SoilTribes Multi-Actor Teams Initiative
This grant supports diverse legal entities including creative industries, non-profits, universities, and startups in developing soil literacy and community engagement projects aligned with the European Mission "A Soil Deal for Europe." The program distributes €1.75 million through lump sum grants with flexible consortium requirements based on project size, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches combining science, arts, and community mobilization.
I3-4-SEAWEED Open Call
This opportunity supports innovative projects in the European seaweed sector, focusing on macroalgal production for food/cosmetics and macroalgal biotechnology applications, with a minimum TRL of 6 required. The program includes a mandatory 12-month capacity building program with technical guidance, business mentoring, and networking opportunities, making it ideal for companies in the growing sustainable biotechnology sector.
Find all Grant Updates here: Subsdy News
And of course: Need help with the EIC Accelerator? Here are some options:
- Starter Pack (lowest-risk entry with AI writer): The Starter Pack contains all the templates you will need and detailed instructional modules in video and text form. This is a very comprehensive package that will tell you everything you need to know based on previously successful applications. This includes ChatEIC.
- Advisory (personalized support): You write in-house but receive personal 1-on-1 support from me, templates, instructions, and reviews of all documents. Personal strategy calls and reviews to perfect every section. This also includes an AI tool for Step 1 as well as guidance on using AI for the proposal writing. Strategy calls cover the specific templates as well as the EIC criteria and use of AI tools. Learn more (Rasph).
- Writing (complete end-to-end service): All proposal sections are written for you. Learn more (Segler Consulting).
Subsdy: Looking for the perfect grant opportunity in the EU? There are about 1000 active grants and tenders (usually multiple added a day!), so feel free to try out Subsdy, the AI tool for grant discovery.
These tips are not only useful for European startups, professional writers, consultants and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) but are generally recommended when writing a business plan or investor documents.
Deadlines: Post-Horizon 2020, the EIC Accelerator accepts Step 1 submissions now while the deadlines for the full applications (Step 2) under Horizon Europe are listed below. The Step 1 applications must be submitted weeks in advance of Step 2. The next EIC Accelerator cut-off for Step 2 (full proposal) can be found here. After Brexit, UK companies can still apply to the EIC Accelerator under Horizon Europe albeit with non-dilutive grant applications only - thereby excluding equity-financing. Switzerland has resumed its participation in Horizon Europe and is now eligible for the EIC Accelerator.
EIC Accelerator Step 1 Deadline 2025
Contact: You can reach out to us via this contact form to work with a professional consultant.
AI Grant Writer: ChatEIC is a fully automated EIC Accelerator grant proposal writer: Get it here.
Eureka Network: The Eureka Network delivers various international collaborative R&D initiatives such as Network Projects, Clusters, Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, providing funding from €50K to €6.75M per project based on the specific initiative. This network emphasizes market-driven innovation and deep-tech advancement across multiple technology sectors including ICT/Digital, Industrial/Manufacturing, Bio/Medical Technologies, Energy/Environment, Quantum, AI, and Circular Economy. Eligible participants include SMEs, large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and startups, with Eurostars particularly focused on R&D-performing SMEs. Get Started
EIC Transition: EIC Transition delivers up to €2.5 million in funding to overcome the 'valley of death' gap between laboratory research and market deployment, emphasizing technology maturation and validation. The initiative supports single legal entities or small consortia of 2-5 partners including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organizations. Key technology domains include Health/Medical Technologies, Green/Environmental Innovation, Digital/Microelectronics, Quantum Technologies, and AI/Robotics. Get Started
EIC STEP Scale-Up: EIC STEP Scale-Up delivers significant equity investments of €10-30 million for established deep-tech companies prepared for hyper-growth and large-scale expansion. The initiative targets SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employees who have obtained pre-commitment from qualified investors. Primary focus areas include Digital & Deep Tech (Semiconductors, AI, Quantum), Clean Technologies for Net-Zero objectives, and Biotechnologies. Get Started
EIC Pre-Accelerator: EIC Pre-Accelerator represents a 2025 pilot initiative delivering €300,000-€500,000 in funding for early-stage deep-tech development and preparation for the EIC Accelerator program. This program is exclusively accessible to single SMEs or small mid-caps from 'Widening countries' to foster regional innovation development. The initiative encompasses deep-tech innovations across physical, biological, and digital domains. Get Started
EIC Pathfinder: EIC Pathfinder delivers up to €3 million for Open calls and up to €4 million for Challenge-based calls to support early-stage research and development with proof-of-principle validation. The initiative requires research consortia with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 different countries, including universities, research organizations, and SMEs. Primary technology focus areas include Health/Medical, Quantum Technologies, AI, Environmental/Energy, and Advanced Materials. Get Started
EIC Accelerator: EIC Accelerator delivers flexible funding options including blended finance (€2.5M grant + €0.5M-€10M equity), grant-only (up to €2.5M), or equity-only arrangements for scale-up and market deployment of breakthrough innovations. The initiative targets SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps with up to 499 employees, with MedTech/Healthcare representing 35% of funded projects. Additional technology areas include Biopharma, Energy, AI, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors. Get Started
Innovation Partnership: Innovation Partnership enables collaborative innovation between public and private sectors with typical funding of €1-5 million per project. The initiative supports cross-sectoral strategic technologies through public-private partnerships and consortia. Projects concentrate on addressing societal challenges through collaborative innovation approaches. Get Started
Innovation Fund: The EU Innovation Fund delivers substantial funding of €7.5 million to €300 million for large-scale demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The initiative targets clean energy, carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy storage technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Eligible participants include large companies, consortia, and public entities capable of implementing large-scale demonstration projects. Get Started
Innovate UK: Innovate UK delivers various programs with funding ranging from £25K to £10M depending on the specific initiative, supporting business-led innovation, collaborative R&D, and knowledge transfer. The organization funds projects across all sectors with particular emphasis on emerging technologies and supports UK-based businesses, research organizations, and universities. Programs are designed to drive economic growth through innovation and technology commercialization. Get Started
Industrial Partnership: Industrial Partnership delivers €2-10 million in funding for industrial research and innovation partnerships focusing on manufacturing, industrial technologies, and digital transformation. The initiative supports industrial consortia and research organizations in developing collaborative solutions for industrial challenges. Projects aim to strengthen European industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships. Get Started
Eurostars: Eurostars represents a joint EU-Eureka initiative delivering €50K-€500K for international R&D collaboration specifically led by SMEs. The program adopts a bottom-up approach, accepting projects from all technology fields without predefined thematic restrictions. R&D-performing SMEs must lead the consortium and demonstrate significant R&D activities. Get Started
LIFE Programme: The LIFE Programme delivers €1-10 million in funding for environmental protection, climate action, and nature conservation projects across the European Union. The initiative supports environmental technologies, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Eligible participants include public authorities, private companies, NGOs, and research institutions working on environmental and climate challenges. Get Started
Neotec: Neotec represents a Spanish initiative delivering €250K-€1M in funding for technology-based business creation and development, supporting the growth of innovative Spanish SMEs and start-ups. The program covers all technology sectors and aims to strengthen Spain's technology ecosystem. Funding is specifically targeted at Spanish technology-based SMEs and start-ups to enhance their competitiveness and market presence. Get Started
Thematic Priorities: EU Thematic Priorities encompass various programs aligned with EU strategic priorities including green transition, digital transformation, health, and security initiatives. Funding amounts vary based on the specific program and call requirements, with projects designed to address key European challenges. Applicant eligibility varies by specific program and call, with different requirements for different thematic areas. Get Started
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