AI CHALLENGE COMPETITON
Apply now for a chance to win €100k in prize money!
The AI Challenge Competition is an initiative designed to drive significant research progress across 2 high impact Generative AI areas:
- Autonomous robotics
- Agentic AI for engineering design and simulation
The goal is to find solutions to address the already identified challenges in the 2 areas of the competitions and take these innovations from an initial concept (TRL 2-3) through to functional prototypes and breakthrough solutions (TRL 4-5).
The competition will follow a 2 phase-funnel approach, a methodology that builds on the experience and best practices of previous European open innovation programmes, including DAPSI, EDI, REACH and BLOCKCHERS.
Open challenges:
> Challenge 1: GenAI-Based Natural Language Mission Generator for Autonomous Robots in Agriculture _ Intellimech
> Challenge 2: Agentic AI for Automated CAD Generation and Autonomous Simulation _ SIAD Group
The competition will culminate in a Final Live Event, scheduled to be held in Brussels in February 2027. Here, participants will publicly pitch and demonstrate their solutions before a panel of evaluators, Challenge Owners, AI-BOOST representatives, and key stakeholders. At the close of the event, one winner from each challenge will be awarded a final prize of €100,000.
The AI Open Innovation Competition is ongoing from 19 June 2026 until 25 August 2026 17:00 CEST
The challenges
Challenge 1
GenAI-Based Natural Language Mission Generator for Autonomous Robots in Agriculture _ Intellimech
Led by Consorzio Intellimech and JOiINT LAB, this challenge aims to democratise robotic programming by using Generative AI to translate natural language into executable commands.
By leveraging advanced Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models, participants will develop a modular Proof of Concept (TRL 5) that bridges the gap between human intent and robotic execution. While the initial focus is on enhancing vineyard productivity, the solution is designed for broad application across industrial maintenance and field operations. This challenge seeks to accelerate intelligent automation throughout Europe by making sophisticated robotics accessible to non-technical operators.
Challenge 2
Agentic AI for Automated CAD Generation and Autonomous Simulation _ SIAD Group
Led by SIAD Group, this challenge focuses on developing an agentic AI system to streamline the design and simulation of industrial piping, specifically for routing compressor tubes within skids.
By translating natural language requirements and existing CAD data into editable parametric models, the solution aims to automate complex tasks such as extracting geometric constraints, mesh generation, and convergence analysis.
Ultimately, the project seeks to significantly reduce manual engineering effort, optimise layouts for compactness,
and lower costs, ensuring the final output is validated against stringent industrial standards in real-world environments.
Competition phases
The competition will have two phases, the Spark phase and Advance phase, the AI-BOOST panel will focus resources and support on the strongest candidates, while ensuring continuous monitoring of scientific and technical progress throughout the competition.
- Spark Phase: Submit a Concept Note for evaluation, with five selected winners per challenge each receiving a €28,500 prize and a place in the next stage.
- Advance Phase: Complete a five-month development and validation programme, culminating in a live demonstration to compete for a final €100,000 prize.
Who are we looking for?
Participation will be open to one or more individuals or entities (teams and consortiums) from academia and industry (including students above 18-years old, scientists and researchers, developers, high-tech SMEs, spin-off, start-ups, etc.).
The participants (or contestants) can apply as individuals or linked to a legal entity. Hence, eligible applicants are:
Are you part of
- Single legal entity
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this includes startups;
- Academia, universities, NGOs, non-profit organizations or a consortium of these;
- Have technical capacity AND experience working on AI systems. Also consider that projects must focus exclusively on civil applications;
- Be established in one of the Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU), including overseas countries and territories (OCTs) and also some Associated Countries (consult the guide for applicants for the complete list of eligible countries)
What do we have to offer?
Participants in the AI-BOOST competitions will be evaluated at each of the 2 phases, with winners receiving a cash prize and an invitation to progress to the next stage.
Prize awards
- Spark Phase: 5 winners per challenge will be awarded €28,500 each
- Advance phase: One winner will be selected for each challenge and awarded a final prize of €100,000
Additional prizes
AI-BOOST will award two Special Awards per challenge:
- Innovation Excellence Award – €12,500
- Responsible AI Award – € 12,500
Non-monetary prizes
By entering the AI-BOOST programme participants will receive:
> Technical guidance and regular feedback;
> Access to challenge-specific resources;
> Optional access to CINECA’s LEONARDO supercomputer, HPC onboarding and training;
> Opportunities to establish a relationship with the Challenge Owners.
Timeline
How can you apply?
The AI Challenge Competition is open from 19 June 2026 to 25 August 2026 , 17h CEST.
Please read and complete the following documents and apply via the F6S platform -> https://www.f6s.com/ai-challenge-competition/.