Helmholtz AI Projects Call 2026
Helmholtz AI funds joint applied AI projects by researchers from at least two Helmholtz centers, with up to €250,000 from the central fund. Apply by 12 November 2026.
The Helmholtz AI Projects Call 2026 is the seventh round of funding from the Helmholtz Association for explorative and innovative work in applied artificial intelligence. It gives researchers at Helmholtz centers money to start projects on AI challenges and methods that cut across centers.
Each project can receive up to €250,000 from the Initiative and Networking Fund. The participating centers must add matching funds of at least the same amount, so a project totals €500,000 or more. Projects can last up to three years.
All Helmholtz researchers are eligible. At least two Helmholtz centers must apply together. The call is not open to researchers outside the Helmholtz Association, but external partners can be involved.
The call opened on 1 September 2026 and closes on 12 November 2026 at 11:59 PM CET. Helmholtz AI plans to make funding decisions by the end of the first quarter of 2027. Applications can only be submitted through the online projects portal. The call documents are only available in English.
Helmholtz AI looks for seed like, collaborative projects with high risk and high gain potential, and for projects that include or co create with further partners. Questions go to projects@helmholtz.ai.