Trust & data sovereignty on the Internet (RIA)

This program targets a broad range of innovative entities involved in digital technologies, particularly focusing on internet innovators, academic researchers, and high-tech businesses. The objective is to cultivate a trusted digital environment and empower users with control over their data and identity, aligning with European values.

This funding initiative supports research and innovation projects focused on creating a more trustworthy and user-controlled internet. Projects should develop new technologies and data governance models, with an emphasis on decentralised solutions and open access principles.

The funding is provided as grants under the Horizon Europe framework, with a significant portion dedicated to supporting third-party projects through open calls. The overall budget for this specific topic is EUR 12 million, with typical durations of 36 months for the main project and 9-12 months for sub-projects.

Applicants for this program were required to adhere to general Horizon Europe conditions regarding admissibility, eligibility, financial capacity, and award criteria. A specific requirement for this topic was the provision of financial support to third parties, necessitating an additional annex detailing its use.

The application process was a single-stage submission through the Funding & Tenders Portal, with evaluation completed and results already communicated to applicants. Grant agreements were expected to be signed by June 2022.

This funding program operates under the comprehensive regulatory framework of Horizon Europe, established and governed by various legal acts and guidelines of the European Union. These documents define the program's operational procedures and financial management.