AI-MATTERS: AI TEF Open Call
What is the subject and goal of the support?
The general goal is to connect technology companies with the innovation ecosystem through Reference Testing and Innovation Centers (hereinafter referred to as „TEF“). These centers will enable businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to test and validate technologies incorporating artificial intelligence (also referred to as „AI“) in a real manufacturing environment under favorable financial conditions. Services for large companies are available under standard market conditions according to the available price list. With financial support, technology entities will find it easier to bring their new AI solutions to market.
Requirements for Applicants for Services Provided by AI TEF
An applicant is defined as a legal entity intending to submit an application for cooperation with a selected AI TEF Manufacturing facility within the Czech Republic. The applicant can be a legal person (including self-employed individuals) engaged in economic activity and having its registered office, establishment, or branch:
- in the Czech Republic (i.e., it has been assigned an identification number),
- or in another EU member state,
- or in a country associated with the Digital Europe program.
If the applicant meets the definition of a small or medium-sized enterprise, they may apply for a discount on the services provided by the selected AI TEF facility. The applicant must also meet the conditions for applicants seeking support from the National Recovery Plan (also referred to as „NPO“), particularly the condition of no conflict of interest between the applicant and its interested parties on one side and the grant provider on the other side (i.e., the Ministry of Industry and Trade, European Commission).
The applicant must also meet the following conditions:
- Has ensured registration in the register of beneficial owners (under Act No. 37/2021 Coll., on the Register of Beneficial Owners, as amended), or has submitted documents regarding beneficial owners in accordance with the rules of the country of origin.
- Is not a business entity in which a public official or a controlled entity owns a share representing at least 25% of the participation of a partner (Section 4c of Act No. 159/2006 Coll., on Conflict of Interest, as amended).
- No beneficial owner of the applicant is listed among individuals subject to sanctions enforceable under Act No. 69/2006 Coll., on the Implementation of International Sanctions, or under similar legal regulations.
- Is not classified as a distressed enterprise under directly applicable European Union regulations, is not in liquidation, or its insolvency or impending insolvency is not being addressed in insolvency proceedings.
- Has no overdue debts to selected institutions. An installment agreement or tax deferral under Section 156 of Act No. 280/2009 Coll., the Tax Code, does not constitute a situation in which the applicant is in default. For foreign companies, the procedure will be adjusted in accordance with the legal framework of the country of origin.
Activities and Projects That Will Be Supported
The subject of the application for cooperation is the acquisition of one or more services from the selected AI TEF Manufacturing facility based on the published list of these services or other services as requested by the applicant. The service may include tests and experiments of new solutions for industry that utilize artificial intelligence. The AI TEF facility will provide the appropriate infrastructure, knowledge, and support necessary for deploying these AI-based technologies in real industrial conditions.
As part of the project, the facility will provide physical or virtual access to its technological equipment corresponding to industrial reality. The facilities represent model factories or testbeds that combine various technologies such as additive manufacturing, smart industrial machines, or logistics systems, online sensor technology, automated storage, trustworthy and secure data access, IoT infrastructure, and more, covering various industrial processes, including necessary human resources and data support. The AI TEF facility will offer support and best practices for implementing AI solutions, including integration, industrial validation, and demonstrations through pilot demonstrations in dedicated assembly lines or production cells.
The proposed solution by the applicant incorporating AI will respond to some real needs of the processing industry, taking into account the specific requirements of various industrial sectors and addressing challenges in some of the following key areas:
- Factory-level optimization
- Collaborative robotics
- Circular economy
The selected AI TEF Manufacturing facility will ensure support for testing and experimenting with these new AI solutions covering areas such as machine learning, robotics, planning and scheduling, optimization, self-configuration, computer vision, formal methods, natural language processing, automated reasoning, game theory, multi-agent systems, complex systems, system verification, bioinformatics, and more.
Definition of Eligible Expenses for Discount Application
Eligible expenses include expenses for services provided by the selected AI TEF facility based on the Service Provision Agreement. The total amount of eligible expenses equals the invoiced amount for the services provided by AI TEF, or the sum of these amounts if invoicing is divided into multiple stages.
Form and Amount of Support for AI TEF Manufacturing Services
Support is provided in the form of a discount on the invoiced amount for provided services, up to 100% of these costs. The amount of support or its proportionate part (usually half of the costs) is provided in accordance with the de minimis Regulation in effect. The application of VAT discount will be specified by the selected AI TEF facility.
Deadline for Project Implementation
The project implementation period, including the schedule of individual steps, is subject to the Service Provision Agreement, with the final deadline for project completion being June 30, 2026.
Your contact at CIIRC CTU
Ondrej Beranek
Head of AI MATTERS Office
+420 703 895 255
ondrej.beranek@cvut.cz
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