Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the Diversity of Cell-Cell Interactions that Impact Cell Fates (CELLMATES)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Integrative B iology : from Genes and Genomes to S ystems
Panel description: For all organis ms: Genetics, epigenetics, genomics  and other ‘omics studies , bioinformatics, systems biology , genetic diseases , gene editing, innovative methods and modelling,  ‘omics for personalised  medicine
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2021-STG, 2021)
Start date: 2023-01-01
End date: 2027-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499900.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499900.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Multicellular life relies on coordinated physical interactions and communication between cells. In these interactions, cells exchange information that determines their fate, physiological state and behavior. The substantial transcriptional heterogeneity that is evident even among cells considered the same type, however, raises questions about exactly which temporal and spatial interactions regulate development and homeostasis. During development, for instance, multipotent neural crest cells migrate along different pathways in which they encounter microenvironments that are thought to instruct their migration and fate choices. To ultimately reveal how cell communication shapes cell identities and cellular decisions, we need to know the transcriptional state of a cell and that of its neighbors. Current technologies either sequence single cells at high transcriptional resolution or localize cells in their spatial context but without capturing their precise transcriptional configuration. To overcome these limitations, we will establish a novel approach that provides high-resolution transcriptomic information on cellular microenvironments. We will use this approach to uncover the interactions and communication codes that neural crest cells are exposed to along their developmental path. In addition, we will develop strategies to systematically identify cell-cell interactions likely to determine migration and cell fate decisions, and elucidate their functional role in the developing embryo. Our overall goal is to uncover how the diversity of cell interactions orchestrates the development of a complex cell lineage. This approach and the insights obtained here will provide a foundation for studying how cells interact in other systems such as human tissues, and how these interactions are altered in disease.

Keywords: cell states,single cell genomics,cell interactions,mouse embryogenesis,neural crest lineage
MicrobiomE-associaTEd boosters Of immune Responses (METEOR study): experimental charac-terization and clinical exploitation. (METEOR study)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Spain,Norway
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2023-09-01
End date: 2025-12-31
Duration (months): 28.0
Total project cost (EUR): 192865.12
EU funding (EUR): 192865.12
Participants: 5
Project status: SIGNED

I became fascinated by pathogen-host interactions at the end of my PhD, working with Hepatitis C virus, and later in my first postdoctoral phase working with Influenza A and SARS-2 viruses, when I learned the OMIC technologies power. Finally, I found out about the world of microbiota-associated interactions and how Dr. Serrano’s studies unveiled these complex networks with a clinical perspective. Most microbiota studies are based on the description of the different bacterial species profiles. How-ever, the interactions between the byproducts derived from cells and bacteria can affect reciprocally to host and microbial metabolism, modifying the outcome of the disease. With my expertise on experi-mental settings, Dr Serrano’s clinical-research view, and the strong collaborations with expert partners in bioinformatics and multi-omics, for my next career step I aim to develop experimental strategies to better identify new potential therapeutic agents. Specifically, to clinically exploit MIcrobiome-associated BOosters of Immune responses to infectious Diseases (MIBOIDs) that define the nature of the host-microbiota interaction I will implement a protocol based on directed culturomics, immune stimulations assays, bacterial species description and multi-omic toolbox to characterize the functional immune profiles associated with highly protective immune responses, and data mining through a mul-tiparametric bioinformatic integration approach. We aim to test several conditions such as describing gut microbiota from different compartments, microbial communities from localized disease-related tissues, and to describe the most functionally relevant. Finally, after the production and validation of the specific candidates in vitro, this project will lead to future validation in preclinical and clinical studies to get specific MIBOIDs to be exploited as therapeutic agents aimed at improving disease-specific immune responses, prevention and cure for several diseases.

Keywords: hiv immunopathogenesis microbiota inflammation multi omics bioinformatics pathogen host interactions culturomics
Unravelling biophysical signals governing phytohormone production and plant acclimation (MECHANOJAS)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and R egeneration
Panel description: For all organisms : Structure and function of the cell, cell -cell communication, embryogenesis, tissue differentiation, organogenesis, growth, development, evolution of development, organoids, stem cells, regeneration, therapeutic approaches
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2022-COG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-07-01
End date: 2028-06-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1984565.0
EU funding (EUR): 1984565.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Both animals and plants produce potently active mediators in response to tissue injury. These oxygenated lipid derivatives include leukotrienes and prostaglandins in animals, and jasmonates (JAs) in plants with JA-Ile serving as the bioactive phytohormone in angiosperms. JAs are synthesized from poly unsaturated fatty acids residing in plant-specific plastidial membranes, and are essential to protect plants against numerous biotic and abiotic challenges including insect herbivory and temperature extremes. Despite the vital roles of JAs in sustaining plant fitness and although JA-Ile biosynthesis and signalling are well characterized, it is still unknown how are damage signals transmitted to plastids to initiate phytohormone production and what is the nature of the transmitted signal(s). Our previous work in Arabidopsis uncovered that osmotically-induced turgor pressure changes elicit JA-Ile biosynthesis. We hence hypothesise that JA-Ile biosynthesis initiation may result from the transmission of mechanical signals through tissues and cell compartments leading to biophysical changes of plastidial membranes granting substrate accessibility to JA biosynthesis enzymes. To address these central questions in plant biology we aim to: 1. Quantify the mechanical forces and osmotic pressure changes required to induce JA biosynthesis 2. Characterize cellular events that transduce mechanical and osmotic stress signals to plastids for JA-Ile precursor production 3. Alter plastidial biophysical parameters and study the consequences on JA-Ile precursor production 4. Identify genetic components involved in sensing and decoding biophysical stimuli for JA-Ile production This proposal thus intends to fill a critical gap in knowledge on stress phytohormone biology regulating plant acclimation and, concomitantly, expand our understanding on fundamental aspects of plant mechano- and osmo-sensing.

Keywords: plant mechanobiology,osmosensing,jasmonate,environmental stress
Building human centric AI agents transforming human actions into shareable insights for automating workflows while preserving privacy by training small language models using federated learning (HUMAI)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Other destinations
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: EIC Accelerator 2024 - Short application (HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-01, 2024)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 850000.0
EU funding (EUR): 850000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

We are Aethena.ai, a Europe-based AI-native startup, revolutionizing how large organizations securely exchange insights across silos. Built on pioneering research, including collaborations with NASA, Aethena enables seamless cross-silo insight exchange while maintaining strict compliance and data privacy standards. At the heart of our platform is Sim, an AI agent powered by self-learning Small Language Models (SLMs) that evolve based on user behavior. By integrating multi-agent frameworks, Aethena enables domain specific custom AI models to be deployed on laptops or smartphones, rivalling the power of large language models at close to zero cost, while preserving privacy and corporate IP by aggregating models using federated learning. This approach captures data upstream, mapping user actions to insights before they enter traditional systems, allowing organizations to bridge silos, speed up processes, and escalate critical decisions with transparency. Aligned with European values of privacy, transparency, and inclusivity, Aethena.ai is designed to augment human decision-making, not replace it. Our team’s deep expertise in AI, enterprise growth, and ethical tech is reflected in successful pilots with global leaders in finance and product creation. Our first customer, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), has deployed our cloud platform within their research and applied AI courses, and we have two corporate PoCs soon to commence. As we grow, our focus is on expanding capabilities and building a diverse, innovative team dedicated to ethical, human-centric AI. By addressing one of the biggest challenges in the digital economy—secure insight exchange across silos—Aethena positions itself as a leader in responsible AI, aligning business value with the highest standards of privacy and transparency.

Keywords: small language models,collaborative agent,graphrag,federated learning
INNOVAtive DEmocracy through digitalisation (INNOVADE)

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: Belgium,Greece
Call: Hop-on facility (HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-03, 2025)
Duration (months): 22.0
Total project cost (EUR): 400000.0
EU funding (EUR): 400000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The onboarding of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) as a widening partner significantly strengthens the INNOVADE project by enhancing both its technological depth and geographic outreach, especially in Southeastern Europe. AUTH brings added value across three key objectives: the contextual validation and expansion of the Interdisciplinary Knowledge Base on Digital Democracy; the integration of Citizen Science methodologies to explore inclusive governance frameworks; and the co-development of secure digital democracy tools through a new pilot in Thessaloniki. The Thessaloniki pilot will engage diverse local communities using participatory research methods rooted in Citizen Science. It will complement existing pilots in Belgium and Spain by offering geographic, socio-political, and cultural diversity. This real-world testbed fosters bottom-up innovation and long-term stakeholder engagement, guided by AUTH’s Citizen Science Hub and its quadruple helix approach. AUTH further contributes two innovative, open-source tools: DemocraSeek, a digital democracy knowledge navigator based on generative AI and knowledge graphs; and DemocratAIze, a platform that derives participatory insights from user content using advanced data analytics. These tools support inclusive, evidence-based policymaking and enrich the INNOVADE ecosystem. Together, these actions ensure the project’s strategic alignment with EU goals for open science, democratic innovation, and inclusive digital governance.

Keywords: digital democracy,participation,citizen science
Novel concept of a low cost, high power density and highly efficient recyclable motor for next generation mass produced electric vehicles (HEFT)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Climate, Energy and Mobility
Theme: Mobility
Destination: Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: 2ZERO (co-programmed)
Countries involved: Spain,United Kingdom,Slovenia,Belgium,Italy
Call: Nextgen EV components: High efficiency and low cost electric motors for circularity and low use of rare resources (2ZERO) (HORIZON-CL5-2022-D5-01, 2022)
Start date: 2022-12-01
End date: 2026-05-31
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3476515.0
EU funding (EUR): 3476515.0
Participants: 9
Project status: SIGNED

HEFT considers that an energy efficient rare-earth synchronous motor is the best option for next generation high-power primary axle traction EVs and proposes a set of innovation challenges on electric synchronous motor configuration based on SiC inverters (direct cooling of rotor and stator, advance insulation for high voltage, multibarrier rotor topology, wave windings) and advanced materials (advanced GBD magnets, epoxy for magnet fixation, composite for motor housing, insulation resin). These innovations will result in a high-efficient and low-cost solution that will be validated on 2 motor topologies, which compared to two main reference automotive IPM commercial motors in Europe (VW ID.3 and FIAT500) will lead to next impacts: >800V, 20% reduction losses, >7 KW/kg and 42kW/l power density, 28% cheaper, 50-66% material savings, including 60% reduction of REE content and >80% REE recyclability rate. As this solution is still dependent on REE from China, HEFT will be aligned with the ERMA action plan towards a circular economy market of rare earth permanent magnets and suggests: one alternative magnet route (Ce based) and two REE recycled routes together with policies promotion towards the foundation of a European rare earths industry, capable of delivering 20% of EU demand by 2030. HEFT plans 8 WPs to implement these concepts, where 5 research partners will be essential for developing innovative ideas around the design-to-x approach, while strong companies (GKN, MAGNETI, VYNCOLIT) will ensure that HEFT results have a clear market orientation and fulfil the industry needs. HEFT plans to organise OEM workshops to ensure wide adoption of HEFT solutions, but also with policymakers to promote regulations towards the EU circular market that would help maintaining the leadership of EU companies, while increasing their competitiveness and job opportunities linked to the new circular business models.

Keywords: high power density motor permanent magnets ree reduction circular economy
TALENT4RURALSCIENCE Scientific talent for the promotion of rural development (TALENT4RURALSCIENCE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Countries involved: Spain,Ireland,Portugal,France,Finland,Germany,Italy,Chile
Call: MSCA COFUND 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-COFUND-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-10-01
End date: 2030-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1692000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1692000.0
Participants: 10
Project status: SIGNED

Rural development and talent retention have become key priorities in European policies. These policies seek to mitigate the depopulation of rural areas and promote their economic and social sustainability, recognising the importance of rural areas for territorial cohesion, balanced economic development and the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage. The EU Long Term Vision for Rural Areas (2021-2040) reinforces this trend, committing to making rural areas more attractive to young and skilled people by creating infrastructure, access to digital services and employment opportunities. However, talent retention, especially among young people with higher education, remains one of the biggest challenges in the EU's rural areas, affected by problems such as depopulation and ageing populations, particularly in peripheral areas of countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Eastern European countries. The TALENT4RURALSCIENCE project emerges as a tool to promote rural development and talent retention, with an international and cross-sectoral dimension. This programme seeks to attract 10 postdoctoral researchers of any nationality through an open international call, to develop innovative R+D+i projects focused on the intersection between rural development and talent retention. The project will involve 9 research institutes of the University of Extremadura, addressing three key challenges: 1) Sustainable development and natural resource management, 2) Innovation in health and technology for rural development, and 3) Education, inclusion and community development. TALENT4RURALSCIENCE will be supported with the participation of 9 associated partner organizations (7 Universities, 1 department of public administration, 1 clinical research centre of public health care system) from different European countries and beyond (Spain, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Chile).
A precise and versatile nanotechnology with seed bio-stimulant microbial molecules to potentiate crop growth and immunization (NanoCroptective)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Spain
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS2 (ERC-2022-POC2, 2022)
Start date: 2023-05-01
End date: 2024-10-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Seed germination is the first step of a sequence of events that promote the transit of seeds from dormancy to vegetative growth. Therefore, it is a tightly regulated program that ensures further plant growth and survival in a supportive environment. The emergency provoked by continuous deterioration of the environment due to non-respectful crop management strategies and potentiated with climate change has increased the focus on this primordial stage of the plant growth as a primary target of strategies that help mitigating unsustainable issues. Beneficial microbes live in association with all plants, and we know how to take advantage of this benefit for the wealth of adult plants; however, little is known on their contribution to seed resilience and adaptation to a changing environment. This lack of knowledge may lead to unfeasible and weak bio-stimulant results undermining their credibility and entry into the market. Supported by findings of our deep investigation on the mutualistic interaction microbe-seed, we propose a proof of concept for a precise and customizable strategy based on the use of fengycin, a molecule produced by Bacillus cells in the interaction with seeds, and a fine-tuned nanotechnology platform to improve and increase the mobilization of nutrients of oil bodies containing seeds. We do expect a better adaptation of plantlets to the environment, major adult plant growth and immunization against microbial pathogens, and an average 50% reduction in the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Altogether our methodology should serve to improve the credibility of biological solutions as potent bio-stimulant of seed growth and thus potentiate their inclusion in sustainable programs of crop production and protection.
INnovation for TERitorial CohEsion around Soil Health (INTERESH)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Mission
Theme: Other missions
Destination: Other missions
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,Belgium,Portugal,Czechia
Call: Experimental local action for EU missions: knowledge institutions as focal points of transdisciplinary research and innovation activities with European outreach (HORIZON-MISS-2024-CROSS-02, 2024)
Start date: 2025-09-01
End date: 2028-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999937.5
EU funding (EUR): 1998937.5
Participants: 12
Project status: SIGNED

The Apulia Region is renowned for its diverse agricultural output, a fundamental element of its economy. However, climate change poses significant threats to the health of soils, due to diverse degradation factors, water scarcity, and non-sustainable land management practices.The depletion of water resources, the prolonged droughts, and deficiencies in soil nutrients threaten the region's agricultural productivity, its biodiversity, and its overall environmental sustainability. Addressing these issues requires a systemic approach through collaborative, transdisciplinary research with practical, on-the-ground involvement of stakeholders (farmers, land managers, local administrators). The University of Foggia (UNIFG), is ideally positioned to lead innovation activities to co-design an innovative model for soil health enhancement at regional level, in collaboration with farmers, land managers, policy makers, and civil society organizations.The project will combine different solutions, to be tested with the support of international leading partners, at a scale that is representative of the regional dimension and characteristic of most geographical regions of Mediterranean Europe. In particular, the project will develop experimental actions using Nature Based Solutions (with the support of FC.ID from Portugal), developing short supply chains for high potential biofertilisers (with local industrial partners), cutting edge precision fertigation systems (with Ugent) and a digital dashboard to enhance data-driven soil policies based on scientific evidence.The project will reinforce UNIFG’s positioning as a leading knowledge institution in rural economies and agrarian sciences, as well as contributing to sustainable regional soil health policies in the framework of the new European legislation on soil health and monitoring.

Keywords: apulia region,agricultural,soil,co design,nature based solutions,digital dashboard