A new funding opportunity has been launched under the EU-funded VALLEYS project to support organisations facilitating the valorisation of research and innovation results.
The VALLEYS – OC1 Strand A: Toolbox Integration Pilots call aims to support knowledge valorisation intermediaries in deploying, testing and integrating the AI-enabled VALLEYS Knowledge Valorisation Toolbox into their organisational workflows through six-month pilot projects.
The call provides 100% funding of up to €10,000 per project. With a total budget of €70,000, the Strand A call is expected to support up to seven projects.
Scope of Funded Activities
Projects must focus on deploying and testing at least one of the following four AI-enabled modules of the VALLEYS Knowledge Valorisation Toolbox within the applicant organisation's operational workflows:
IMPACT IP: Assessment of intellectual assets and support for spin-out readiness.
Matchmaking Engine: Identification of potential partners, investors and standardisation bodies.
Cascade Funding Cross-Referencer: Identification of relevant funding opportunities.
Proposal Compliance Assistant: Support for preparing EU funding applications in line with relevant compliance requirements.
Eligible activities include Toolbox onboarding and configuration, staff training, data protection and information security assessments, baseline performance measurements, testing on real operational cases and comparing results against baseline indicators.
Beneficiaries will also be expected to provide structured technical feedback, participate in technical feedback and co-design sessions, prepare a final case study report and develop a continuation plan for the pilot.
Each pilot must address at least one EU Code of Practice covering intellectual asset management, standardisation, industry–academia co-creation or citizen engagement.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to legal entities established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country by the application deadline and operating as knowledge valorisation intermediaries.
Eligible organisations include SMEs and start-ups, NGOs, foundations, associations, universities, research organisations and public bodies. Examples of eligible intermediaries include technology transfer offices, incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, clusters, science parks and intellectual property advisory firms.
Applications must be submitted by a single legal entity. Consortium applications are not eligible. Natural persons, VALLEYS consortium members and their affiliated entities are excluded from participation.
Project Duration and Funding Conditions
Projects will run for six months, with onboarding and project start indicatively scheduled for early April 2027.
Funding will be provided as a milestone-based lump sum, linked to agreed key performance indicators (KPIs) and project milestones:
Initial payment: 10% following approval of the agreed KPIs and milestones.
Interim payment: Up to 45% following the mid-term review, subject to KPI achievement.
Final payment: The remaining amount following the final review, subject to satisfactory completion of the agreed KPIs and mandatory online training.
Selected beneficiaries will be required to join the VALLEYS Network, participate in the relevant thematic Working Group and ensure that designated staff complete at least three VALLEYS online training modules.
Application Deadline: 14 December 2026
Applications must be submitted in English through the official application platform.
Call at a Glance
Call: VALLEYS – OC1 Strand A: Toolbox Integration Pilots
Project duration: 6 months
Maximum funding per project: €10,000
Funding rate: 100%
Total Strand A budget: €70,000
Expected number of funded projects: Up to 7
Application deadline: 14 December 2026
Further information and application detail please click.