OPEN CALL #2
Call for Applicants
APPLY UNTIL
26 May 2025
Extended to 9 June 2025, 17:00 Brussels Time
Applicants
What we are looking for?
Open Call#2 seeks 9 talented innovators (for our 9 challenges) to advance research in agriculture, livestock, and forestry applications, with a total budget of €525,000, funding 8 projects at €60,000 each and 1 project at €45,000, for a duration of six months.
Eligible projects must align with one of four SPADE Case Study groups:
Open-Field Case Study (Spain)
Focusing on drones in farming to streamline tasks and provide insights for better crop and field management.
Forestry Case Study (Norway):
Exploring drone swarms, cooperating drones for forest inventory, planter drone, and heavy-lift drones.
Livestock Case Study (Greece):
Enhancing sheep breeding through grazing and health monitoring with multi-purpose UAVs.
Universal Consideration Across Case Study:
Enhancing efficiency, monitoring environmental conditions, and improving productivity through the integration of UAV technology in the open-field crops, forestry and livestock management.
This initiative is part of SPADE’s mission to build a thriving ecosystem for innovation and digital transformation in agriculture, forestry and livestock.
Challenges
UCU-CH1: Swarm Communication and Navigation
Challenge: To develop a communication and navigation system for drone swarms to map areas using LiDAR. A central computer will process sensor data into a detailed map while coordinating swarm navigation to ensure full coverage.
UCU-CH2: Open-Source Tilted Rotor Drone System
Challenge: To develop an open-source omnidirectional navigation system using a tilted rotor drone design. The proposal should include hardware development for tilted rotors and the creation of a vectored thrust controller as an extension to the PX4 flight controller. This controller will manage rotor tilting angles and speeds, with the software operating on the drone’s onboard computing unit.
UCU-CH3: Aerial Image Processing Service
Challenge: To develop and deploy an AWS-based system for uploading raw images, processing them into orthomosaics, and integrating with a third-party microservice for data storage and further analysis. The system will include APIs for image upload, processing options, and data download, supporting radiometric calibration images, multiple data outputs, and connection with Management Information Systems.
CS1-CH1: ML for based Disease Detection in Mediterranean Crops
Challenge: To explore innovative applications of machine learning (ML) for disease detection on plants and crops, primarily focusing on orange trees and potatoes. Analyse large datasets to identify patterns, predict outbreaks, and enhance diagnostic accuracy to improve crop health and agricultural sustainability.
CS1-CH2: Open Field Data Collection and Annotation
Challenge: To acquire and structure open-field crop datasets to train cloud-based ML models for at least two focused applications, requiring access to multiple fields for data collection. As part of the Open Field Case in the SPADE project, it supports the creation of comprehensive segmented datasets of georeferenced aerial images captured by UAVs equipped with RGB, thermal, multispectral, or hyperspectral cameras.
CS2-CH1: Below-Canopy Forest Data Collection and Annotation
Challenge: To support the collection and annotation of a comprehensive European below-canopy forestry dataset. Include annotated images and point clouds to facilitate segmentation and classification of below-canopy forest environments.
CS2-CH2: Ultralight Self-levelling Landing Gear for Quadrotor Drones
Challenge: To design adaptive, lightweight landing gear solutions for quadrotor drones. Ensure safe take-off and landing on uneven terrain with minimal added weight.
CS3-CH1: Virtual Fencing Application for Livestock Grazing Management
Challenge: To develop a virtual fence thresholding application for targeted grazing management. Utilize the SPADE Livestock Platform (SLP), Parrot Anafi USA UAV, and animal collar transceivers to monitor livestock, collect relevant data via SLP, and validate the solution in real-world scenarios by securing access to a livestock farm.
CS3-CH2: Acquiring and Structuring Livestock Open-field Animal Wellbeing/Healthcare Datasets for Training ML Models
Challenge: To acquire and structure livestock open-field health and welfare datasets to train cloud-based machine learning models. Achieve over 80% accuracy in detecting at least one specific animal vector-disease variation. Secure access to a livestock farm for data collection and validation.
Eligibility
Ensure your organization meets the following criteria to qualify for this unique funding opportunity!
Eligible Countries
- European Union (EU) Member States, including outermost regions Note for Hungary: Entities linked to public interest trusts under Hungarian Law IX of 2021 are ineligible for funding, as per Council Implementing Decision 2022/2506.
- Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Check HERE [updated list published by the European Commission (December 2024)] to verify eligibility.
Eligible Entities
The following types of organizations can apply:
- Universities and Research Centers
Multiple research groups from the same department may apply, but individual members cannot be part of multiple proposals to ensure fairness and dedication. - NGOs and Foundations
Non-profit organizations with expertise in drone application development. - SMEs and Startups
Small and medium-sized enterprises or startups developing innovative solutions for SPADE case studies.
Note for Companies: Only SMEs are eligible.
SME Criteria
An enterprise qualifies as an SME if it meets the following:
- Headcount: Fewer than 250 Annual Work Units (AWU).
- Financial Criteria:
Annual turnover of ≤ €50 million, OR
Annual balance sheet total of ≤ €43 million.
Ineligible Entities: Natural persons, mid-caps, large industries, or corporations.
Eligible Proposal(s)
Proposal(s) must meet the eligibility criteria:
- All fields on the pre-registration platform must be completed in English, and all required documents must be submitted.
- Each proposal must be submitted by a single partner (no consortiums allowed).
- The applicant must be a legal entity, registered as a: University or research center, NGO or foundation, and SME, as defined by the European Commission.
- The legal entity must be registered in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country as listed in the updated List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe.
- Single participation per entity: A legal entity may submit only one proposal per challenge (maximum of two proposals total) and for larger organizations (e.g., universities or research centers), only one proposal per research group is allowed. Personnel cannot participate in multiple submissions
- Proposals already funded in other projects are ineligible to avoid duplicate funding.
- Applicants currently employed by any SPADE beneficiary are not eligible to apply.
For the detailed information can be seen in the Guideline in the support section.
Info Days
Selection Process
- Application: Applicants must create a profile on the SPLORO platform, complete the registration form, and upload their proposals with the defined template and required documents within the application period.
- Evaluation: This step includes three parts (Eligibility Check: to ensure the applicant meets all required criteria, Alignment Check: to verify the proposal aligns with the objectives of the Open Call, and External Evaluation: Proposals are reviewed and scored by a panel of experts based on predefined criteria)
- Legal Validation and Sub-grant Agreement: Selected applicants undergo legal validation and sign a sub-grant agreement to formalize their participation.
- Result Announcement: The results are publicly announced after signing the sub-grant agreement
- Implementation Period: Funded projects begin their implementation phase, adhering to agreed-upon timelines and milestones.
Support
Guidelines and other supporting documents are available below.
Download the Guidelines to understand the application requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission process for SPADE Open Call #2
Access supplementary documents for comprehensive guidance on SPADE’s collaborative approach across academia, NGOs, SMEs, and startups in advancing drone technology solutions:
- Technical Annex 📄 Download Here
- Application Form 📄 Download Here
- SME Declaration 📄 Download Here
- Ethical Guidelines 📄 Download Here
Uncover answers to common queries regarding SPADE’s collaborative framework, application process, and project expectations:
For your inquiry, send an email to Click Here
In case the link doesn’t work you may send your inquiries to contact@spade-horizon.eu
How to Apply
Results
The outstanding projects will be announced in mid-June after the sub-grantee agreement is signed.