SHOP4CF’s open call for manufacturing projects enters final stretch

The countdown is on to the close of SHOP4CF’s open call for manufacturing projects. The call closes at the end of April.

The Second Call of SHOP4CF's scope is to establish use-cases that solve real challenges in a manufacturing environment and improve human safety and well-being at work. The challenge is aimed at helping humans in the workplace rather than replacing humans in the workplace.

The focus should be on automating monotonous laborious work and increasing human productivity and safety with methods such as modular automated solutions, robotics, and augmented.

SHOP4CF (Smart Human Oriented Platform for Connected Factories) is an EU-funded project within the eighth framework program Horizon 2020 that aims to create a unique infrastructure for the convenient deployment of human-centric industrial applications.

Believing that people should not be replaced by automated processes but can gain new relevance through the usage of their individual abilities within the factory. Therefore, new technologies need to be human-centric.

SHOP4CF is looking to fund twelve projects from this call with a budget of €1.200.000. Successful projects will begin the programme in Aug 2022 for eight months.

The second call for projects comes off the back of a successful first call in which five projects were funded.

In this second call, a lump sum of €100,000 will be granted to each use-case project for covering the personnel expenses, costs of travel (including accommodation) and consumables. Durable hardware can be made available as an "in-kind" contribution by the partners or by large corporate sponsors that wish to contribute to the use-case. Other types of expenses are not eligible for funding. The maximum amount may not exceed €60,000 for each partner or single applicant.

For non-profit organisations, 100% of their eligible costs will be refunded; for-profit organisations will be funded at a rate of 70%.

It’s not all about the money, although it certainly helps, SHOP4CF provides so much more to help you get your project to line up on that assembly line. 

Successful teams will be provided with mentors, two in fact, who will consult, evaluate, and advise on projects throughout the eight-month period. Mentors are members of the consortium of partners such as the Technical University of Munich, VTT, Fraunhofer, Danish Technological Institute, IMEC, European Dynamics, FundingBox, Eindhoven University of Technology, FZI, University of Opole, IRT Jules Verne, Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center, Tecnalia, Polytechnical University of Madrid, Tampere University, Bosch, Volkswagen, Arçelik, Siemens, and ISDI.

There will be technology training including workshops focusing on the deployment of the framework and the integration of new components as well as component-specific training - you get your very own technology mentor.  

The all-important ‘business coaching’ will better prepare teams to present and market their projects once deployed on the SHOP4CF marketplace. Business planning and growth will also be a large part of the coaching process.  

And of course, there will be plenty of support provided on funding – how to acquire it, how to use it and to grow with it. This will include the linking with corporates that may become the next big customers - the launch pads to further expansion. 

The call will also reach out to a wider group of corporate users or solution providers with interest to support and "sponsor" the expansion of the SHOP4CF innovation ecosystem.

If this open call has pricked your ears and you feel you have a project that could be the future of manufacturing, make sure you meet the following criteria:  A single organisation or a team of organisations can submit a proposal. All involved organisations need to be established entities (i.e., formally registered with local authorities) at the time of the application. At least one of the partners needs to be an SME.

Ready to take your next step in the future of manufacturing? You’ll find further information and the application process here. Deadline for applications is 30th April 2022.