Energy efficiency and sustainability of AI data processing in Data Centres (IA)
Horizon Europe · Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space · HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-09
Funding for pilots and a demonstration site that cut the energy use of AI data processing in data centres, from chip cooling to heat reuse.
This call is announced but not open yet. Dates and conditions can still change.
What is this call about?
The topic funds innovation pilots and an open demonstration site that make AI data processing in data centres more energy-efficient, from chip cooling to waste-heat reuse. It is relevant to data centre operators, technology providers and researchers.
What does this call fund?
Scope
The topic funds pilots of new technologies and an open demonstration site for energy-efficient and sustainable AI data processing in data centres. Development areas include:
- direct on-chip cooling and multi-scale thermal management;
- energy-efficient power backup and storage, such as graphene-enhanced batteries and supercapacitors;
- sustainable data centre architectures and AI workload optimisation, including carbon-aware scheduling and heat capture and reuse;
- use of materials research for energy efficiency and thermal management;
- AI solutions to optimise data centre operation and reduce its footprint;
- integration of data centres into energy systems and the wider region.
Structure of the topic
Some projects address the technology outcomes (cooling, backup power, whole-site optimisation), each showcasing results in at least two use cases. A separate project sets up an open pilot demonstration site that combines and benchmarks the results of the other projects and serves as a European reference for the data centre industry.
Expected outcomes
Better heat removal from high-power AI chips, low-cooling backup power, optimised whole-site energy use, and demonstrated improvements in power usage effectiveness and reuse of waste heat.
Technology readiness
Activities start at TRL 6-7 and reach TRL 8.
What are the key facts?
- Topic budget
- €39,000,000
- Funding per project
- €10,000,000
- Call code
- HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-09
- Programme
- Horizon Europe
Who can apply for this call?
- For projects addressing the technology outcomes, at least two use cases should showcase each project's results.
- Beneficiaries that intend to transfer ownership of results or grant an exclusive licence must notify the granting authority beforehand; it may object for up to four years after the action ends.
Check your eligibility and how your project fits
In your free account, we check the eligibility conditions against the call documents for your organisation and assess how well your project fits this call.
When is the deadline?
18 March 2027 (133 days)
18 March 2027 (single-stage submission).
Interested in this call? Summary written with AI from the official call documents. Details can differ, so check the official call page before you apply. Read the official call documents before you decide. The official text is always binding.
Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the official call documents. Official call page Last updated 6 October 2026.