SPADE Open Call #2 – Extended until 09/06/2025 17:00 CEST

Description

Task Description The SPADE Open Call #2 is structured into three main case studies, each with specific challenges that applicants can address. Additionally, there are three universal challenges that apply across all case studies. Each selected project will have a duration of 6 months, with a focus on developing innovative drone technology solutions for agriculture, forestry, and livestock management. 1. Universal Challenges (Applicable to All Case Studies) These challenges focus on cutting-edge drone technologies that can be used across various agricultural and environmental applications. UCU-CH1: Swarm Communication and Navigation Develop a system for communication and navigation of drone swarms. Enable drones to work collaboratively using LiDAR mapping. Create a central or decentralized swarm control mechanism. Deliverables: Month 1: Initial Report Month 3: Algorithm prototype demonstration Month 6: Final system testing and validation UCU-CH2: Open Source Tilted Rotor Drone System Develop an omnidirectional drone with tilted rotors for 360-degree movement. Implement vectored thrust control with PX4 integration. Deliver open-source hardware & software documentation. Deliverables: Month 1: Initial Report Month 3: Working prototype in a lab environment Month 6: Prototype tested in real-world scenarios UCU-CH3: Aerial Image Processing Service Build an AWS-based open-source platform for drone photogrammetry. Generate orthomosaics from RGB, thermal, and multispectral images. Create a user-friendly API for data upload, processing, and export. Deliverables: Month 1: Initial Report Month 3: Beta version Month 6: Final version & system deployment 2. Case Study Challenges Each case study focuses on a specific domain where drone technology can improve efficiency and sustainability. 2.1 Open-Field Agriculture Case Study (Spain) Focus: Drones for crop monitoring and management. CStudy1-CH1: ML-Based Disease Detection in Mediterranean Crops Develop an AI-based system for detecting plant diseases in olive groves, citrus trees, and potatoes. Use RGB and multispectral imagery to identify Alternaria (potato blight) and Repilo (olive leaf spot). Provide heatmaps indicating affected areas and disease severity. Deliverables: Month 1: Initial Report on AI model design Month 3: First prototype demonstration Month 6: Final ML model deployment CStudy1-CH2: Open Field Data Collection and Annotation Collect and annotate high-quality aerial images of crops. Ensure data covers multiple crop types and growth stages. Deliverables: Month 1: Initial Report Month 3: Local dataset (unlabeled) Month 6: Fully labeled dataset & documentation 2.2 Forestry Case Study (Norway) Focus: Using drones to improve forest monitoring and operations. CStudy2-CH1: Below-Canopy Forest Data Collection and Annotation Collect below-canopy LiDAR & image data for training AI models. Ensure high-quality annotation for tree species identification. Deliverables: Month 1: Initial Report Month 3: Unlabeled dataset delivery Month 6: Fully labeled dataset & documentation CStudy2-CH2: Ultralight Self-Levelling Landing Gear for Quadrotor Drones Develop adaptive landing gear for drones operating in rough terrain. Test gear on two different-sized drones. Deliverables: Month 1: Initial Report Month 3: Preliminary design & control system Month 6: Final system testing & validation 2.3 Livestock Case Study (Greece) Focus: Drones for livestock monitoring and grazing management. CStudy3-CH1: Virtual Fencing Application for Livestock Grazing Management Develop a drone-based virtual fencing system. Monitor livestock movement and generate grazing patterns. Deliverables: Month 1: Initial Report & farm access confirmation Month 3: Landscape detection & UAV integration Month 6: Real-world validation & dataset creation CStudy3-CH2: Livestock Data Collection for ML-Based Disease Detection Collect drone footage of livestock for disease detection AI models. Ensure data covers healthy and diseased animals in diverse environments. Deliverables: Month 1: Initial Report & farm setup Month 3: Unlabeled dataset delivery Month 6: Fully labeled dataset & AI model development 3. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) SPADE focuses on solutions between TRL 3 (experimental proof of concept) and TRL 7 (system prototype demonstration). Higher TRLs are required for complex operational challenges like swarm navigation. Key Takeaways Each project runs for 6 months. Deliverables are required every 3 months. Solutions must integrate into the SPADE ecosystem. Maximum funding per project: €60,000 (except for data collection projects: €45,000).

Beneficiary & submission

Submission & Evaluation Process 1.1. Proposal Submission Process The submission process for SPADE Open Call #2 follows a structured approach to ensure fairness and transparency. 1.2. Application Preparation Applicants should follow these steps for successful submission: Check the eligibility criteria to confirm that your organisation qualifies. All information can be found on the official SPADE website (website link). Submit the application online via the SPLORO platform (submission link). Ensure that all mandatory fields and documents are completed in English. Attend SPADE’s Info Days and Technical Webinars for guidance on the application process. The deadline is final, and no late submissions will be considered unless a Force Majeure situation occurs. 1.3. Helpdesk & Applicant Support A dedicated Helpdesk is available via contact@spade-horizon.eu. Response time: Up to 72 hours before the deadline. Reopening of applications: If an applicant needs to correct an error before the deadline, they must contact the Helpdesk at least two days prior to the deadline. 2. Proposal Evaluation & Selection Process The evaluation process ensures transparency and fairness by assessing all proposals using defined criteria. 2.1. Application Reception Submission exclusively via the SPLORO platform. Deadline: 26 May 2025, 17:00 CEST. Extended Deadline: 09 June 2025, 17:00 CEST Only the final version submitted before the deadline will be evaluated. 2.2. Evaluation Process The evaluation consists of the following steps: Eligibility Check Automatic filtering of non-eligible proposals based on criteria such as missing information, incorrect organisation type, or exceeding submission limits. Challenge Alignment Verification SPADE Challenge Leaders verify if the proposal aligns with SPADE’s core objectives. External Remote Evaluation Two independent evaluators assess each proposal on the following four criteria: Team: Qualifications, experience, and capability. Technical Excellence: Innovation, clarity of objectives, and feasibility. Implementation: Feasibility within the given timeframe and resource allocation. Impact: Contribution to SPADE’s mission and potential benefits. Scoring system (0-5 scale): 0: Fails to address the criterion. 5: Fully meets all expectations with minor or no weaknesses. The total score is a sum of the four criteria (maximum 20 points). Proposals scoring below 10 points overall or below 2 points in any criterion will be automatically rejected. 4. Score Normalisation Scores from different evaluators are adjusted to ensure fairness. A virtual consensus meeting is held to finalize evaluations. 5. Final Selection Proposals are ranked from highest to lowest scores. In case of ties, preference will be given based on: Gender representation in the proposal team. Geographical diversity of applicants. Earlier submission date. 6. Appealing Procedure Applicants can appeal within 5 days if they believe a factual evaluation error occurred. Appeals must be sent to contact@spade-horizon.eu. The appeal decision is final. 7. Validation of the Legal Entity Selected applicants must provide legal documentation to confirm their status. Entities failing to provide necessary documents will be disqualified. 8. Sub-grantee Agreement Preparation Finalists sign a Sub-grantee Agreement detailing obligations, funding conditions, and intellectual property rights.

Further information

Further Information 1. Financial Support The SPADE Open Call #2 has an allocated budget of €525,000, distributed as follows: 8 projects can receive up to €60,000 each. 1 project can receive €45,000. 1.1 Subcontracting Subcontracting is strictly prohibited for core tasks. All project activities must be carried out by the team described in the proposal. 1.2 Payment Milestones Funding is released in two tranches based on performance: €30,000 / €22,500 after Month 4 (Interim Report & Deliverables). €30,000 / €22,500 after Month 7 (Final Report & Deliverables). If milestones are not met, funding is adjusted based on percentage completion. 1.3 Origin of Funds Funding comes from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Program under Grant Agreement No. 101060778. Funds remain EU property until fully disbursed. 1.4 Maximum Funding per Entity A single organisation cannot receive more than €60,000 across all SPADE calls. 2. Rules & Conditions 2.1 Language English is the official language for all submissions, communications, and documents. Applications in other languages will not be evaluated. 2.2 Document Format All documents must be in PDF format with no restrictions on printing. 2.3 Conflict of Interest SPADE consortium members and affiliated entities cannot apply for funding. Applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest. 2.4 Ethical Issues Proposals must comply with the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity. Ethical self-assessment is required. Failure to meet ethical guidelines may lead to rejection. 2.5 Declaration of Honour Applicants must certify that: They meet eligibility criteria. They do not have financial, legal, or ethical conflicts. They are not subject to any EU sanctions or restrictions. 2.6 Data Protection & Confidentiality SPADE follows GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679) for data privacy. Personal data will only be used for proposal evaluation and project management. Data may be shared with: The European Research Executive Agency (REA). SPADE consortium partners. External evaluators under confidentiality agreements. 3. Beneficiaries’ Responsibilities 3.1 Conflict of Interest Beneficiaries must prevent conflicts of interest in their projects. If a conflict arises, they must immediately notify SPADE. 3.2 Confidentiality All project-related data must be kept confidential for four years post-project completion. 3.3 Promotion & EU Visibility Beneficiaries must promote their participation in SPADE. All communication materials must include: The EU emblem. The SPADE logo. 3.4 Financial Audits & Controls The European Commission (EC) may conduct audits to ensure compliance. Beneficiaries must retain project documentation for five years. 3.5 Internal & External Communication Each funded project must assign a contact person. Project information will be published on public platforms (e.g., Zenodo). 4. Personal Data Protection The data controller is SPLOROTECH SL, located in Pamplona, Spain. Data will be stored securely and processed according to GDPR. Applicants have rights under GDPR, including: Access, Rectification, Erasure, and Data Portability. Contact: lopd@sploro.eu. 5. Declaration of Honour By submitting an application, applicants confirm that: All information is accurate. They comply with EU funding rules. They have no pending legal or ethical issues. They are not receiving duplicate funding from other EU programs.