DIHNET is launching an Open Call for developing digital innovation hubs (DIHs) to join the DIHNET network and take part in cross-border technology and service transfer programme. In total € 900 000 will be distributed to support the chosen applicants. The DIHs can apply by submitting their applications from 15th December 2020 until 1st of March 2021.
Nine applicants will be selected to take part in a two-stage DIHNET support programme of experience exchange and technology application. Participation in the programme will aid the chosen DIHs to become stronger players in their regional scene, connect to a network of experienced international experts, gain access to specific facilities, and receive up to € 100 000 of funding per beneficiary. During the DIHNET support programme selected hubs will be able to refine their technology offering, business models and their role in own regional ecosystem by applying the knowledge shared by the more experienced – mature – DIHs. DIHNET’s mature DIHs have long-term experience in tackling the most challenging projects and a wide network of partners that newly selected DIHs will be able to benefit from.
Our supporting mature digital innovation hubs are:
- TNO Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (Netherlands)
- VTT Technical Research Centre (Finland)
- RWTH Aachen University (Germany)
The activation programme step-by-step
The 1st stage runs for 11 months and is supported with € 20 000 of funding to cover the costs. During this stage, the chosen DIHs will receive mentoring and training from DIHNET’s mature hubs and work together to create a roadmap for stronger smart technology acceleration in their respective region. This will include working on the Smart Specialization Strategy’s development acceleration and setting-up a dialogue with local public authorities, development agencies, investors, and other relevant organisations.
The 2nd stage of the programme will take place in 2022 in the form of 10-month long cross-border technology transfer experiments. In this stage selected applicants will be working together with DIHNET’s mature DIHs to support their local SMEs or mid-caps to refine their digital solutions that afterwards will help the companies to reach new market potential and scale. During the experiments, the mature DIHs will keep working in close collaboration with the developing DIHs and assist them in solving complex challenges and refining their operational model.
Eligibility criteria
Proposals can be submitted by DIHs already included or to be included in the European Catalogue of Digital Innovation Hubs and located in pre-defined regions of Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkey, Tunisia, Ukraine, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Moldova.
Applicants also need to have experience in promoting regional application of technologies in at least 3 of the following technology areas:
- Low energy computing powering CPS
- Cyber-physical and embedded systems
- Internet of things
- Flexible and Wearable Electronics
- Organic and Large Area Electronics
- Man/machine interfaces
- Advanced or High-performance computing
- Robotics for manufacturing
- Additive manufacturing technologies
- Modelling and simulation
- Laser-based manufacturing
- CPS for manufacturing
- Cloud computing
- Digital twins, data sharing, autonomous factories
- IT security
Visit our application page to discover full list of eligibility criteria and guide for applicants.
If you haven’t found the answer to your question, contact us in the DIHNET open call help desk or send us an email to dihnet.helpdesk@fundingbox.com
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