Support to the implementation of Multi-Country Projects (MCPs)

Overview

Funding to strengthen incubation capacity in Europe for early-stage generative AI (GenAI) ventures, focusing on commercialization, responsible innovation, and cross-border collaboration. Targets one EU-based incubator to run a 12-week program supporting 30 startups with mentoring, HPC access, and regulatory guidance.

Who Can Apply

EU-based incubators with demonstrated experience in supporting deep-tech or AI startups. Applicants must propose a structured 12-week program for 30 GenAI startups and commit to standardized KPI reporting.

Funding Details

Details on grant amounts, total budget, or funding rates are not specified.

What Is Funded

• Structured training and mentoring for 30 GenAI startups.
• Access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources and data infrastructures.
• Regulatory guidance aligned with the AI Act, Data Act, GDPR, and EU Digital Decade Targets.
• Cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing initiatives.
• Monitoring and reporting of startup progress using predefined KPIs.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Focus on early-stage GenAI ventures. No explicit Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range provided, but startups should be at a stage where commercialization and scalability are viable goals.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-01-19
• Deadline: 2026-03-22

Application Process (High-Level)

Details on the application process (e.g., single-stage, multi-stage, or portal) are not specified.

Post-Award Obligations

• Delivery of a 12-week incubation program for 30 startups.
• Progress monitoring and reporting using standardized KPIs.
• Contribution to the impact of the LLM-BRIDGE initiative and the broader European GenAI ecosystem.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: EU Member States.
• Application language: English.

Notes

The selected incubator will gain access to a pipeline of high-potential GenAI startups and strategic alignment with a pan-European AI initiative. Emphasis is placed on responsible AI innovation and underrepresented regions/groups.