Expanding and deepening the EOSC Federation (EOSC Partnership)

Overview

Supports the expansion and deepening of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) Federation by enabling seamless access to digital services for researchers, including data storage, computing, and collaboration tools. Targets research infrastructures, digital service providers, and organizations contributing to or operating within the EOSC Federation.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include consortia of research infrastructures, digital service providers, and organizations participating in or intending to join the EOSC Federation. This includes entities operating EOSC Nodes or onboarding resources to the Federation. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate under specific provisions.

Funding Details

• Total budget: Up to €40,000,000.
• Funding rate: 50% of eligible costs for the primary action.
• Third-party grants: Financial support to third parties is a primary activity, with a maximum of €2,000,000 per third party. At least 20% of third-party funding must be open to entities eligible under Horizon Europe’s General Annex B, without additional geographic restrictions.

What Is Funded

• Seamless access to digital services: Development and integration of tools for data storage, computing, applications, and collaboration within the EOSC Federation.
• Resource management and accounting: Implementation of a Federation-wide system for efficient service provision, including virtual credit allocation.
• Expansion of EOSC Nodes: Support for intra-Node coordination, legal arrangements, and onboarding of underrepresented research communities or geographic areas.
• Sustainability and business models: Testing and demonstrating long-term operational models for digital services beyond the project duration.
• Harmonisation and compliance: Alignment with EOSC Federation policies, standards, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Joint calls for third parties: Funding to organizations providing digital services or resources to the EOSC Federation, with a focus on user demand and Federation-wide accounting.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Proposals must align with the EOSC Federation’s technical and interoperability standards, including open standards and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. Activities should demonstrate maturity in integrating digital services into the EOSC Federation’s existing infrastructure.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-03-08T23:00:00Z.
• Deadline: 2027-06-14T22:00:00Z.

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission: Proposals are submitted via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Evaluation: Based on standard Horizon Europe criteria (Excellence, Impact, Implementation), with additional emphasis on coordination with the EOSC Federation and other relevant projects.

Post-Award Obligations

• Access rights: Beneficiaries must grant royalty-free access to project results and intellectual property rights to the EOSC Association and designated legal entities for non-commercial use.
• Reporting: Provision of information to the EOSC Association for monitoring and policy development.
• Sustainability: Long-term operational plans for digital services beyond the project duration.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: EU Member States and Associated Countries, with provisions for specific non-EU/non-Associated Countries as outlined in Horizon Europe’s General Annex B.
• Language: Applications must be submitted in English.

Notes

• Synergies: Projects are encouraged to collaborate with relevant EU initiatives, such as EuroHPC, and other EOSC-related actions.
• Third-party funding: At least 20% of financial support to third parties must be open to entities without additional geographic restrictions.
• Exclusions: Activities must comply with restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.