SmartAgriHubs launched its special Covid-19 open call! Apply before 3 June

As Europe is facing the Covid-19 crisis, it must further stimulate development of digital innovations which can tackle the challenges the agri-food sector currently faces. Considering this, SmartAgriHubs has investigated the possibilities for funding research that helps our sector in these trying times. Can digital innovation help mitigate the consequences of Covid-19.

SmartAgriHubs’ RESPOND open call focuses on hackathon-like activities and immediate technological solutions responding to the effects of the Covid-19 crisis.

Why participate?
Digital innovations implemented throughout the organic value chain have a huge potential to contribute to current and future societal challenges.

Are you a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME), a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH), an Operational Group or another public-private partnership for innovation body? Are you involved in one or more innovation experiments, and looking for potential funds to support your project? The open call is your opportunity!

The SmartAgriHubs open call is also a unique chance to connect with a wider community and exchange on latest knowledge and expertise.

Who can participate?
SMEs or a DIH as defined on the SmartAgriHubs website (1), based in one of the EU Member States or a Horizon 2020 associated country (2).

How to participate?
Both DIHs and SMEs can participate in this open call with two possibilities:

• Digital Innovation Hubs: Proposals must include at least one DIH, realising hackathon type of activities. SmartAgriHubs considers that proposals requesting a contribution from 10,000 to 30,000 EUR would allow to support the realisation of activities appropriately.
• SMEs, including start-ups: Proposals are submitted by SMEs/start-ups aiming at direct realisation of digital innovations mitigating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in the agri-food sector. SmartAgriHubs considers that proposals requesting a contribution from 30,000 to 50,000 EUR would allow to support the realisation of activities appropriately.

Are you eligible? Register to the SmartAgriHubs’ Innovation Portal. It will give you access to all information needed and direct communication to the community if any questions on the application arise. After that, start applying!

The application period is 12 May to 3 June 2020.

Any questions about the current open call?
Read the call documents on the dedicated page of the SmartAgriHubs Innovation Portal or leave your question on the SmartAgriHubs open call forum.

You can also participate in the SmartAgriHubs open call Q&As webinar, Tuesday, 19 May 2020 (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CEST).

Additional information
The open call will happen in three phases (RESPOND, RESTART and EXPAND).
The RESTART open calls will be focused on hackathon type of activities that will restart the economy around the agri-food related sectors and affected food systems. The EXPAND open calls will support the implementation of programmes by Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) to support the realisation of Innovation Experiments (3).

SmartAgriHubs is a €20 M EU project under the Horizon 2020 instrument and brings together a consortium of over 164 partners in the European agri-food sector. The project aims to realise the digitisation of European agriculture by fostering an agricultural innovation ecosystem dedicated to excellence, sustainability, and success.

Notes

1. Digital Innovation Hubs as defined on the Smart Agri Hubs website are public-private partnerships for innovation, providing a mix of different services to their clients. These include technology services such as R&D, provision of lab facilities, testing and validation are mainly the domain of the competence centres. Innovation ecosystem support services include community building lobbying, brokerage, knowledge sharing and advocacy.
2. See the full list of eligibility criteria in the Programme document on the SmartAgriHubs Innovation Portal.
3. The funding conditions to RESTART and EXPAND open calls will be published in due time, as it is planned to be launched by July 2020.