Brussels, November 3, 2025 — The European Commission launched today, at the European Summit "AI in Science" in Copenhagen, the pilot project Resource for Artificial Intelligence Science in Europe (RAISE). The virtual institute, coordinated by Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, is part of the European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science and the Apply AI Strategy initiative. Its objective is to bring together the necessary resources for the development and application of AI in scientific research — from cancer treatment to environmental monitoring and earthquake prediction — through an initial funding of €107 million from the Horizon Europe program.
The project aims to transform Europe into a global hub of scientific excellence, combining data, computing power, and talent. Within RAISE, researchers will have priority access to "AI Gigafactories" funded through an additional contribution of €600 million from Horizon Europe, in partnership with the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU). Additionally, €75 million will be directed towards excellence networks and doctoral programs aimed at attracting and training young researchers.
RAISE will contribute to doubling the European Commission's annual investments in the field of artificial intelligence — to over €3 billion — and will be implemented in phases, with the aim of becoming a permanent structure co-financed by member states and private partners between 2028 and 2034. The project will be accompanied by a coordination action called Facilitated cooperation for AI in Science, funded with €3 million, and a new initiative within the European Research Area (ERA), which will accelerate the adoption of AI in research. "In Europe, we are strongest when we work together for a common purpose. This collaboration is the essence of the RAISE initiative," said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy.
"With RAISE, we are starting a scientific community dedicated to excellence and global challenges – from health to climate – and keeping Europe at the forefront of global research," added Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Start-ups, Research, and Innovation.
Romania, as a member state of the EU, will be able to participate in research projects carried out within RAISE through universities, institutes, and SMEs in the digital field. Institutions such as the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, the Institute for Research in Artificial Intelligence of the Romanian Academy, and the national AI4Europe hubs can contribute to the development of data infrastructure and the training of young researchers in excellence networks funded by Horizon Europe. The Ministry of Research and Innovation is a partner in the European Research Area (ERA), which allows for the integration of Romanian projects in future phases of RAISE.