Official call identifier: FORTIS Open Call #2
Objective of the call
FORTIS Open Call #2 supports the deployment, integration and scaling of advanced Human–Robot Interaction solutions that make industrial and other civilian working environments safer, more efficient and more productive. Selected consortia will join a 10-month support programme structured in three sprints, combining cascade funding with technical mentoring, regulatory-compliance guidance and deployment support from the FORTIS ecosystem.
Scope of activities
Applicants must apply under one of two topics.
Topic OC#2.1 – Pushing towards the deployment of FORTIS supports integration and deployment of technologies within the FORTIS ecosystem. It covers eight subtopics:
- Optimisation of Human-Robot Collaboration / Task Allocation
- Flexible Interface Digital Twin
- HRI Watchdog
- HRI Activities Digital Twin
- Omnideployment of the FORTIS Solution
- Ergonomics-Aware Human State and Interaction Context for Adaptive HRC
- Interfaces with XR
- Trust-Aware Multi-Sensor Localisation and Mapping for FORTIS Robotic Platforms
Topic OC#2.2 – Exploiting the FORTIS solution in other key sectors supports technology transfer and cross-sector validation of FORTIS solutions in new civilian application areas, including fields such as agriculture, healthcare, airports, forestry, logistics, events and retail.
Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants include:
- Research and Technology Organisations and universities with relevant research experience
- Mid-caps
- SMEs
- Startups developing Human-Robot Interaction technologies
Natural persons and entities associated with FORTIS consortium partners are not eligible. Applicants must be established in eligible EU Member States, EU Overseas Countries and Territories, or Horizon Europe Associated Countries that met the call's association requirements. FORTIS states that organisations established in the United Kingdom and Switzerland are not eligible under this call.
Applications must be submitted by consortia:
- OC#2.1: exactly 3 eligible entities from at least 2 eligible countries
- OC#2.2: at least 2 eligible entities; a consortium may come from a single eligible country
- At least 1 SME must participate in each consortium
- Universities and RTOs may account for no more than 30% of the total project budget
- Single-entity applications are not eligible.
Funding conditions
Type of support: Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) under Horizon Europe
Funding rate:
- Up to 70% for SMEs and other for-profit organisations
- Up to 100% for eligible non-profit organisations
Maximum grant per beneficiary: A cumulative maximum of EUR 200,000 per individual entity across FORTIS funding.
Maximum contribution per project:
- OC#2.1: up to EUR 250,000 per project
- OC#2.2: up to EUR 170,000 per project
Total call budget: EUR 3,142,746.92
- OC#2.1 budget: EUR 2,065,373.46, with at least 8 projects expected
- OC#2.2 budget: EUR 1,077,373.46, with at least 6 projects expected
Project duration: 10 months
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) (if applicable): Projects must start at TRL 4–5 and aim to reach TRL 7 by project completion.
Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) describe the maturity of a technology, ranging from basic research (TRL 1) to fully developed and market-ready systems (TRL 9).
Deadline for submission
4 November 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.