Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Advanced Simulation Software With Patented Method Optimised For Battery Development (COMPULAR)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Open to supporting projects in all areas of science, technology,...
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Sweden
Call: EIC Accelerator Open 2023 (HORIZON-EIC-2023-ACCELERATOR-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-07-01
End date: 2026-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3326685.0
EU funding (EUR): 2328679.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Today, battery development is done via extensive trial-and-error laboratory experiments. It is extremely costly and not scalable. Compular has developed an advanced Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation software, tailored to battery R&D, that enables replacing much of the tedious laboratory process with a simulation-based approach. Compular’s innovation lies in its patented method for the analytics of MD simulation outputs to provide automated detection of bonds and structures which can be analysed using Statistical Physics, Density-Functional Theory and Machine Learning. This enables R&D teams, even those without computational chemists, to optimise their materials by observing trends in properties before laboratory validation, saving lots of time and money in the process. The current pilot projects with EU-leading battery developers have highlighted improvements to be implemented in the simulation and user experience to fulfil our commercial potential. In this accelerator project, we will conduct key activities to bring Compular to TRL9 and start commercialisation. Planned critical developments include: (i) further enhancing our algorithms, simulation methods and machine learning capabilities (ii) improving the user experience with a local version of the software (for use on a local computer, without the cloud), increased cloud architecture’s security as well as a demo version. (iii) customer validations through the use of Compular in the customer environment and comparison with experimental results. This is particularly critical, as it will demonstrate the ability of Compular simulations to replace much of the time-consuming and expensive laboratory work. The successful completion of this Accelerator project will lead to Break even on EBITDA level in 2027 with EBITDA of 5.2 MEUR and 9.8 MEUR turnover and Compular becoming the new gold standard for battery development.

Keywords: molecular dynamics,density functional theory,advanced materials,statistical physics,batteries
Scan2BIM-as-a-Service with Generative AI and Smartphones (S2BGenAI)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Other destinations
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Austria
Call: EIC Accelerator 2024 - Short application (HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-01, 2024)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Buildings contribute significantly to global ecological footprint, especially during construction and operation. Due to novel technologies, there is a huge potential for reducing this footprint. However, resource efficient renovations (e.g. light planning, wifi planning, HVAC planning) and operations (e.g. facility/housing management) require 3D plans. However, today, over 80 % of buildings lack digital data. And even if data is available, often additional (non-modeled temporally changing) information might be needed. Existing digitization methods are costly and complex, leading to 90 % of 3D plans being created manually. We develop methods enabling the efficient digitization of any details of buildings (Scan2BIM) with the aid of smartphones and their sensor technology. By developing state-of-the-art and even beyond state-of-the-art computer vision and AI algorithms (Generative AI, multi-modal foundation models) we enable easy, flexible, fast and cost-efficient digitization allowing unparalleled semantic scene understanding with the help of human-AI collaboration. Our technology allows anyone to scan buildings and create accurate 3D models quickly with just a smartphone. After scanning, AI tools generate a parametric 3D building model. On top of automatically including elementary objects (such as doors and windows, furniture), we enable easy interactive augmentation with any custom elements. We develop multi-modal foundation models to be independent of fixed object categories and large amounts of training data. This enables easy customization to the users’ specific needs. With generative AI, we even aim to estimate and reconstruct partly hidden information.

Keywords: digitization of buildings,ai,foundation models,bim,generative ai,3d,scanning,smartphone
Innovative environmental multisensing for waterbody quality monitoring and remediation assessment (IBAIA)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Digital
Destination: Digital & Emerging Technologies for Competitiveness and Fit for the Green Deal
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: Photonics (co-programmed)
Countries involved: France,Finland,Czechia,Belgium,Germany,Poland,Spain,United Kingdom
Call: Advanced multi-sensing systems (Photonics Partnership) (RIA) (HORIZON-CL4-2022-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01, 2022)
Start date: 2022-12-01
End date: 2026-11-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4683935.75
EU funding (EUR): 4683935.0
Participants: 19
Project status: SIGNED

Environmental water pollution is a growing global issue, leading to increasing regulations and concurrent increased demand for improved water quality monitoring solutions to meet the European Green Deal objectives. Real time in situ devices offers the promise of more rapid and efficient monitoring, and numerous such solutions are available from a wide number of primarily non-EU suppliers. However, existing in situ solutions detect very limited parameters, and are restrained by high costs, low reliability, and high energy usage. To better meet end user needs and improve environmental water quality monitoring, novel sensing technology is required. To this end, IBAIA will develop four innovative optimally functionalised sensor modules based on complementary photonics and electrochemical (EC) technologies. Mid-IR will be used to detect organic chemicals, Vis-NIR for microplastics and salinity, Optode technology for physicochemical parameters, and EC technology for nutrient salts and heavy metals. Leveraging consortium expertise in cutting edge material science, microfluidics, data processing and integration/packaging technology, these four sensors will be integrated and packaged into a single advanced multisensing system and validated by end users in real in situ conditions. The IBAIA system will more accurately monitor a wider range of parameters than existing solutions, whilst simultaneously being more cost effective, more reliable, more environmentally friendly to manufacture, and more user friendly to use. These dramatic improvements will manifest in an extremely competitive product that acts as a one-size-fits-all solution for many end users, with a highly EU-centric supply chain, that will supplant a wide number of inferior non-EU alternative solutions.

Keywords: photonics,mid ir,vis nir,opotode,electrochemistry,environmental water,water quality monitoring,microfluidics,functionalisation,polymers,phytoremediation,pollution,wastewater,data processi
GLYCOMICS TO IMPROVE INFANT IMMUNITY TO INFECTIONS (PIPELINE Hop-on)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Improved access to Excellence
Destination: Improved access to Excellence
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,Croatia
Call: Hop-on facility (HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-03, 2025)
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 550000.0
EU funding (EUR): 550000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

This Hop-On proposal strengthens the Horizon Europe-funded PIPELINE project by integrating Genos Glycoscience Research Laboratory (Croatia) as a widening partner. PIPELINE is a multidisciplinary consortium focused on improving prevention and treatment of infections in pregnant women and children, with emphasis on early-life immune development and responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) preventive strategies. The inclusion of Genos adds high-throughput glycomics, enabling detailed analysis of protein glycosylation, a key post-translational modification governing antibody function and immune regulation. Glycosylation of immunoglobulins affects stability, receptor binding, effector function, and mucosal defense. Despite its importance, it has not yet been explored in early-life immunity within PIPELINE. By providing insight into the quality and effectiveness of antibodies transferred from mother to infant, glycomics supports infection prevention in pregnancy and early life. Analysing IgG and IgA glycan patterns will show how efficiently maternal antibodies protect against RSV. As glycosylation influences antibody–cell and antibody–pathogen interactions, it directly impacts viral neutralisation and immune activation. This knowledge is crucial for optimising maternal vaccination and monoclonal antibody interventions, ensuring stronger infant protection. Genos will analyse N-glycans and glycopeptides from IgG and IgA in infant samples. These data will integrate with other omics layers, deepening insights into immune ontogeny, vaccine responses, and disease susceptibility, ultimately informing personalised prevention strategies. As a recognised leader in glycomics and a research-intensive SME, Genos enhances the scientific scope and geographical inclusiveness of PIPELINE, fostering biomarker discovery, data integration, and collaboration between Western and Widening institutions, reinforcing European capacity in personalised immunology and pandemic preparedness.

Keywords: glycomics,maternal infant immunity,respiratory syncytial virus rsv,multi omics integration,pandemic preparedness
Transcription in 4D: the dynamic interplay between chromatin architecture and gene expression in developing pseudo-embryos (DynaTrans)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Synergy grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: France,Austria
Call: ERC Synergy Grants (ERC-2023-SyG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-05-01
End date: 2030-04-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 9546410.0
EU funding (EUR): 9546410.0
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

During mammalian embryogenesis, key events involving DNA and regulatory molecules over seconds and nanometers affect and are affected by, a major reorganization of the genetic material in the nucleus over hours and micrometers. How these scales are spanned and integrated into the course of development remains a major unresolved challenge. Progress in this quest is difficult, either because current model systems suffer from severe technical limitations or because existing analytical approaches probe individual spatial or temporal scales thus ignoring their evolving interactions. Traditional live imaging lacks the spatial resolution to accurately delineate chromosome organization at the scale of genes, while bulk molecular assays are ill-suited for studying development over time. Here, we propose a multi-disciplinary approach to the dynamics of developmental gene regulation to understand the details of the underlying mechanisms and their deployment over time. We combine and apply optical, molecular-genomic, and theoretical tools to recently available mammalian pseudo-embryos, allowing unprecedented precision in developmental staging, a large amount of material, and easy optical access. By focusing on select gene loci we track transcriptional activation and the interactions of distal DNA elements in real-time along with the associated chromatin dynamics using interaction profiles. Our datasets are iteratively distilled into mathematical models of increasing scope, converging towards an integrative dynamic polymer model that simultaneously captures long-timescale chromatin rearrangements as well as short-timescale motions of genetic regulatory elements and transcriptional activity. We then challenge these models via genome editing and temporally defined interventions by building light-controlled tools to affect the chromosome landscape. This project aims to reshape our view of how genes are regulated during mammalian development.

Keywords: gastruloids,pseudo embryos,live imaging,optogenetics,inference modeling,maximum entropy,nuclear architecture,loop extrusion,enhancers,regulatory landscapes,3rs principle
Untangling MicroPlastic impacts on Biological Nitrogen Fixation (MPBNF) (MPBNF)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-09-01
End date: 2027-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 276187.92
EU funding (EUR): 276187.92
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Microplastic contamination has emerged as a global concern and the MPs contamination in aquatic systems has been studied widely in recent years. However, the impact of MPs on the terrestrial ecosystem, especially farmland soils, and their impact on crop growth remains largely unknown. A significant knowledge gap is the impact of MPs on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), which is a key process in legume plants to acquire nitrogen fertilizer from nature. Impairment of this process will lead to reduced yield or increased chemical fertilizer input and disruption in the nitrogen cycling process. However, the effects of MPs on BNF in agriculture, particularly in a major crop food such as soybean, and its impact on crop yield, are nearly unknown. The precise quantification of microplastics in soil-plant systems is presently hampered due to the different types, shapes, and sizes of microplastics in the real environment. MPBNF is well placed to address this knowledge gap by labeling bio and non-bio-MPs with different sizes and shapes using rare earth elements, which allows us to trace the uptake of MPs in plants. Additionally, the potential pathways of impacts caused by MPs on the biological responses of BNF and soybean plants will be investigated in detail.

Keywords: microplastic pollution,labeling,quantification,transport and uptake,biological effect
Aran Islands Research Station (AIRS)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Public Engagement with Research Award
Action type: Recognition Prize
Countries involved: France,Ireland
Call: ERC-2024-PERA (ERC-2024-PERA, 2024)
Total project cost (EUR): 0.0
EU funding (EUR): 0.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

A key component of the HIGHWAVE project was the setup of a research station fully equipped with a variety of sensors. Since the project deals with energetic waves, the west coast of Ireland and in particular the Aran Islands with their existing infrastructure immediately stood out as an ideal location. Public lectures were given on each one of the three Aran Islands. This is how a unique and exciting adventure started with the residents of the islands. Four years later, the residents have incorporated the research station into their islands, ranging from fishermen to the local school. The station is situated at the crossroads between scientific enquiry and local expertise, exploring not only wave breaking, but also the relationship between researchers and islanders, illustrating how the integration of diverse perspectives enhances both scientific understanding and the resilience of the community. On top of the traditional role of researchers, the collaboration resulted in a relationship where the islanders actively contribute their invaluable life experiences to the scientific process. This engaged research approach enriches both the research and the local island community: an exemplar of public engagement with research adding value for all parties. The island community, historically connected to the sea and the local weather, brings a wealth of knowledge that complements scientific observations. During the project a range of workshops, lectures, and open conversations allowed the HIGHWAVE team to learn from the islanders, incorporating their insights into the development of models, experiment protocols, and daily operations of the station. In turn, the scientific research provided the islanders with additional information that helped in their daily activities. Weather forecasts and wave predictions generated by the station became integral tools for the community. Involvement with the local school served as an inspiration for the future generation of scientists.

Keywords: waves small islands weather forecasts school collaboration future generation
Continual learning and memory for sounds in rat (MEMORAT)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Panel description: Nervous system development, homeostasis and ageing , nervous system  function and dysfunction , systems neuroscience  and modelling , biological basis of cognitive processes and of behaviour, neurological and mental disorders – In humans and all other organisms
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2024-ADG, 2024)
Start date: 2025-10-01
End date: 2030-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2497500.0
EU funding (EUR): 2497500.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

How much can we remember and for how long? Decades of key advances in our understanding of synaptic plasticity resulted in a puzzle. On the one hand, memories can be highly stable and organisms are capable of adding new memories without destroying old ones. On the other hand, data and models support neither stability nor lifelong (‘continual’) learning. Many experiments suggest that responses of neuronal populations slowly but inexorably drift (“representational drift”), while synapses spontaneously turnover. At the same time, models predict that memory traces of new experiences tend to interfere destructively with old traces. Here, I will study auditory continual learning in the behaving rat. I will develop a novel behavioral paradigm that will train rats to recognize two new sounds every few days, memorizing up to 100 sounds over 3-4 months of continuous training, and check the stability of memory during that time. My lab will apply state-of-the-art recording techniques in order to document the neural activity during memory acquisition and between training sessions while the rats sleep and consolidate newly acquired memories. I will repeat these studies in a rat model for Alzheimer’s disease, which expresses early memory deficits. These results will be compared with predictions of models for memory in the auditory cortex. At one end, I will test the predictions of a model, based on recently published results, that posits the existence of a few neurons that carry the memory of each learned sound by intrinsic bursting. At the opposite end, I will test predictions of models in which memory resides in the coordinated activity of large, distributed ensembles of neurons. Overall, this project will address the deep puzzles of memory when memory load is high, a regime that has not been studied in animal models.
Orphan Genes as Drivers of Evolutionary Innovation in Microbial and Bacteriophage Systems (Genovation)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Environmental B iology, Ecology  and E volution
Panel description: For all organisms : Ecology, biodiversity, environmental change , evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, microbial ecology , marine biology, ecophysiology, theoretical developments and mod elling
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2025-STG, 2025)
Start date: 2026-01-01
End date: 2030-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1498750.0
EU funding (EUR): 1498750.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Orphan genes, unique to an organism or evolutionary lineage, are fundamental drivers of biological innovation. Representing up to 20% of genomes—from microbes to primates—these novel genes enable species-specific adaptations through their diverse functions. However, most orphan genes remain uncharacterized, and the evolutionary pressures governing their emergence are unknown. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial for revealing how novel genetic material shapes evolution and biodiversity, particularly in microbial systems. The Genovation project aims to transform our understanding of gene birth and evolutionary innovation through three aims: 1. Evaluate the fitness impact of newly emerged genes in bacterial and yeast species. 2. Investigate how novel proteins integrate into cellular systems. 3. Elucidate biological functions of successful gene birth events, focusing on the phage-bacteria arms race—where gene birth is highly prevalent. We will study both synthetic and natural genes to reveal complementary aspects of orphan gene biology. In Aims 1 and 2, we will use my experience with randomly generated nucleotide sequences to simulate early stages of orphan gene emergence in varied genetic backgrounds. Analyzing fitness changes, physiological effects, and protein interactions will provide insights into the relationships between genetic features, cellular contexts, and gene birth. Aim 3 will leverage the rapid evolution and abundance of orphan genes in viral genomes. By identifying orphan genes affecting the phage life cycle and characterizing their functions, we aim to uncover how these genes shape viral-host dynamics and drive novelty. This project builds on my expertise in large-scale techniques, microbial and phage genetics, and molecular biology methods. The Genovation project promises to yield insights into the mechanisms of evolutionary innovation, potentially opening new avenues in protein design, cellular engineering, and phage-based therapies.

Keywords: molecular innovation orphan gene birth random protein sequences cellular context innovation in the phage bacteria arms race