AI CHALLENGE COMPETITON
Unlocking the potential of Europe’s leading GenAI innovators
An AI Challenge Competition (teams from academia and/or industry) will launch 4 specific attractive Generative AI challenges to drive significant research progress in autonomous robotics, agentic AI for engineering design and simulation, clinical datasets and mobility, starting at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2-3 and achieve TRL 4-5.
> AI Challenge Competition #1
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
> AI Challenge Competition #2
Challenge 3: Generative AI for Enhancement of Clinical Datasets_EUropean Federation for CAncer IMages (EUCAIM)
Challenge 4: Generative AI for Automatic Test Case Generation from Crash Databases & Standards_Siemens Industry Software NV
The competition will follow a 2 phase-funnel approach:
- 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.
Info webinar session
Join our 𝘂𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 to know more about the current open challenges. This is your chance to learn about the two-phase funding structure, the evaluation criteria, and how to submit a stand-out application.
Online : 22 July 2026 – 11:00 CEST
The Challenges
Challenge 1 and 2 deadline: 25 August 2026 – 17:00 CEST
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.
Challenge 3 and 4 deadline: 8 September 2026 – 17:00 CEST
Challenge 3
Generative AI for Enhancement of Clinical Datasets_EUropean Federation for CAncer IMages (EUCAIM)
Led by EUropean Federation for CAncer IMages (EUCAIM), this challenge focuses on using Generative AI to enhance the quality and representativeness of clinical imaging datasets, which are often incomplete or imbalanced. By creating realistic synthetic patient cohorts, the solution aims to fill critical data gaps and harmonise information across various imaging conditions. The system will identify key demographic and clinical characteristics to ensure synthetic data remains realistic and consistent with real-world statistics. Ultimately, the project seeks to improve fairness and reduce bias, enabling the development of trustworthy models that support accurate medical research and clinical decision-making.
Challenge 4
Generative AI for Automatic Test Case Generation from Crash Databases & Standards_Siemens Industry Software NV
Led by Siemens Industry Software NV with the collaboration of EU RobustifAI, this challenge aims to enhance the safety and validation of autonomous driving systems by using Generative AI to automate the creation of simulation scenarios. By transforming accident reports, visual data, and international safety standards into structured, simulation-ready formats, the solution replaces slow, manual processes with a more scalable and consistent workflow. This approach strengthens the link between real-world data and regulatory frameworks, helping teams identify critical safety gaps and complex edge cases. Ultimately, the project will provide technical and regulatory experts with comprehensive scenario sets, significantly improving the efficiency and accessibility of safety assessments for autonomous vehicles.
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.
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.
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:
- Individuals (students, researchers…);
- 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 benefits
AI-BOOST will award two Special Awards per challenge:
- Innovation Excellence Award – €12,500
- Responsible AI Award – € 12,500
Additional 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.
How can you apply?
Challenges 1 and 2
The AI Challenge Competition is open from 19 June 2026 to 25 August 2026 – 17:00 CEST, for challenges 1 and 2.
Please read the guidelines for applicants and apply via the F6S platform -> https://www.f6s.com/ai-challenge-competition/.
Challenges 3 and 4
The AI Challenge Competition is open from 3 July 2026 to 8 September 2026 – 17:00 CEST for challenges 3 and 4.
Please read the guidelines for applicants and apply via the F6S platform -> https://www.f6s.com/ai-challenge-competition-2.
Timeline
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
Become an evaluator of the AI Challenge Competition
We are looking for experts with experience in experience in Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Machine Learning, synthetic data generation, computer vision, medical imaging, healthcare AI, autonomous systems, robotics, engineering design, simulation technologies, automotive safety, verification and validation, international safety standards.
Required services
• assessing the written Concept Notes submitted by eligible applicants;
• scoring applications against the published SPARK Phase evaluation criteria;
• providing clear and objective comments to justify the scores awarded;
• assessing the technical feasibility, innovation potential and implementation capacity of the proposed solutions;
• participating in internal evaluation discussions, if required;
• contributing to the establishment of the ranking for the selection the five winners per challenge that will enter the ADVANCE Phase.
Expert fee
Evaluators will be reimbursed for their time and effort based on the number of applications evaluated. Each external expert will receive 60€ per full application evaluated.
External Experts acting as Evaluator Manager will receive an extra 30€ per application acting as EM