Open Call for Use Cases

Bring scientific data or a research or AI workflow. Explore a pilot with data, compute and expert support.

RI-SCALE invites short Expressions of Interest from organisations that provide scientific data and from scientific and AI application users who want to exploit Research Infrastructure data through AI-enabled or advanced data-intensive workflows.

Tell us what you want to achieve, which data and workflow you would use, and what support or computing resources you may need. RI-SCALE will review the idea, identify the most suitable route and, where appropriate, help develop it into a scoped pilot proposal.

Data Providers

Scientific and AI Application Users

How the collaboration works

Why participate?

Selection & Timelines

I want to offer scientific data

Explore the Data Provider route

I want to use scientific data

Explore the user route

Data Providers

You produce or manage valuable scientific datasets and want to make them easier to discover, access and exploit through AI-enabled or advanced data-intensive research.

Typical participants include

Research Infrastructures
Research institutes
Universities
Scientific data repositories
Other organisations managing scientific datasets

What we offer

Opportunity to enable AI-driven and advanced data-intensive use of your data
DEP components for publishing, onboarding and managing datasets
Support with data replication and technical integration within the agreed pilot scope
Access to federated computing and storage resources matched to the selected pilot, subject to availability
Support with pilot scoping, technical onboarding and platform integration

What you bring

A relevant scientific dataset or collection, or an idea for enabling new uses of data already available through your organisation
A team able to work with RI-SCALE to investigate data readiness, access conditions and technical requirements during pilot scoping
Feedback to improve the Data Exploitation Platform
For a selected pilot, responsibility for preparing the data and confirming quality, metadata, rights, licences, privacy safeguards and domain-specific guidance

AI Application Providers

You want to use scientific data with AI, machine learning or an advanced data-intensive workflow to address a research question, or to develop, test or validate an AI application.

Typical participants include

Research teams and scientific users
AI and machine-learning developers
SMEs and startups
Technology companies
Research teams developing scientific or AI software

What we offer

Access to suitable scientific datasets from participating Research Infrastructures, subject to applicable licences and access conditions
Access to federated computing and storage resources matched to the selected pilot, subject to availability
DEP components for running scientific workflows and deploying or testing applications
Support with pilot scoping, technical onboarding and integration within the agreed scope
Opportunities to collaborate with Research Infrastructures and scientific data experts

What you bring

A clearly defined research question or use case involving AI, machine learning or an advanced data-intensive workflow
A sufficiently mature analysis method, model, application or computational workflow that can be adapted and tested during the pilot
A team able to undertake the agreed workflow integration and applicant-side adaptations
Commitment to use scientific data, help validate RI-SCALE capabilities and provide feedback

How the collaboration works

Expressions of Interest can bring together complementary contributions:

Data Providers make scientific datasets available or enable new ways of exploiting data they already manage.
Scientific and AI Application Users bring a research question, analysis workflow, model or application that uses scientific data.
RI-SCALE reviews each idea and connects it to an existing use case where appropriate, or works with the relevant Research Infrastructure and resource providers to investigate a new pilot. For a selected pilot, the DEP configuration, computing and storage resources, support and responsibilities are agreed during scoping.
The goal is to demonstrate new ways of exploiting Research Infrastructure data through AI-enabled and advanced data-intensive research—not to provide general-purpose computing capacity.

Why participate?

Access to scientific data

Scientific and AI application users can work with suitable Research Infrastructure datasets, subject to applicable licences and access conditions.

Access to computing resources

Selected pilots can use computing and storage resources matched to their technical requirements, within the capacity available to the project.

Technical support

Receive support with pilot scoping, platform onboarding and technical integration. Data Providers remain responsible for data preparation and domain-specific guidance.

Validate your solution

Test real-world scientific or AI workflows, applications or data-publication processes within DEP.

Increase your visibility

Selected pilots will be promoted through RI-SCALE communication channels, events and demonstrations.

Who can submit an Expression of Interest?

Expressions of Interest are welcome from:

Research Infrastructures
Researchers, universities and research organisations
SMEs
Startups
Technology companies

The two main target groups are Data Providers and Scientific and AI Application Users. Joint ideas are welcome. At the EOI stage, you do not need to select a definitive role or know whether your idea belongs to an existing RI-SCALE use case. RI-SCALE will help identify the appropriate route. Applicants do not need to develop a new AI application, but requests for generic computing capacity without a meaningful link to Research Infrastructure data, AI or advanced data exploitation are outside the scope.

What kind of pilot ideas are we looking for?

We are looking for ideas where:

Research Infrastructure data is made available or used through DEP;
a scientific or AI application user brings a defined research question and a suitable analysis workflow, model or application;
federated computing and storage enable AI-enabled or advanced data-intensive processing;
and the work helps test, demonstrate or improve RI-SCALE capabilities

Examples include:

AI and machine-learning research workflows
Predictive and large-scale data analytics
Digital twins and simulation workflows
Scientific decision-support systems
Image, climate and other data-intensive analyses
Data interoperability and reusable workflows
Testing or adapting scientific AI applications
Research–industry pilots using RI data

Each Expression of Interest should briefly explain:

the challenge being addressed;
the proposed solution;
the data you want to provide or use, if known;
the analysis method, model, application or workflow you intend to use;
why your existing resources are not sufficient and what data access, compute, storage, DEP integration or expertise you may need;
any known access, privacy, licensing or commercial-use considerations; and the expected result and its potential contribution to demonstrating RI-SCALE.

From Expression of Interest to selected pilot

The Expression of Interest is a lightweight first step, not a full application or a guarantee of access to RI-SCALE resources.

Ideas taken forward to pilot scoping will be assessed against common criteria:

Relevance: Alignment with RI-SCALE objectives, meaningful use or provision of Research Infrastructure data, and potential value for Research Infrastructure communities
Value and contribution: Potential to demonstrate new or improved data exploitation, scientific workflows or AI adoption and to validate RI-SCALE capabilities.
Feasibility and resource fit: Technical readiness and viability within the available timeframe, computing capacity and support resources.
Team capacity and commitment: Experience, expertise, availability and ability to undertake the applicant-side work required for the pilot.

During scoping, RI-SCALE and the relevant partners will investigate dataset availability and access conditions, privacy and licensing considerations, computing capacity, technical integration and support needs. A full pilot proposal and resource commitment will only be confirmed after this work and final assessment. Information submitted through the EOI that is not public will be treated confidentially.

Timeline

Publication of the Open Call: September 2026
EOI submission period: Open until March 2027
Initial review and response: Within 1 month of EOI submission
Pilot scoping and final assessment: Timing agreed with the relevant applicant and RI-SCALE partners
Pilot onboarding and implementation: Normally 6–10 months, depending on the pilot; implementation must finish no later than December 2027*
End of RI-SCALE Project: 29 February 2028

*Any exception would need to be agreed during pilot scoping and remain within the RI-SCALE project timeframe.

Open Call for Use Cases

Bring scientific data or a research or AI workflow. Explore a pilot with data, compute and expert support.

Data Providers

Scientific and AI Application Users

How the collaboration works

Why participate?

Selection & Timelines

I want to offer scientific data

Explore the Data Provider route

I want to use scientific data

Explore the user route

Data Providers

You produce or manage valuable scientific datasets and want to make them easier to discover, access and exploit through AI-enabled or advanced data-intensive research.

Typical participants include

Research Infrastructures
Research institutes
Universities
Scientific data repositories
Other organisations managing scientific datasets

What we offer

Opportunity to enable AI-driven and advanced data-intensive use of your data
DEP components for publishing, onboarding and managing datasets
Support with data replication and technical integration within the agreed pilot scope
Access to federated computing and storage resources matched to the selected pilot, subject to availability
Support with pilot scoping, technical onboarding and platform integration

What you bring

A relevant scientific dataset or collection, or an idea for enabling new uses of data already available through your organisation
A team able to work with RI-SCALE to investigate data readiness, access conditions and technical requirements during pilot scoping
Feedback to improve the Data Exploitation Platform
For a selected pilot, responsibility for preparing the data and confirming quality, metadata, rights, licences, privacy safeguards and domain-specific guidance

AI Application Providers

You want to use scientific data with AI, machine learning or an advanced data-intensive workflow to address a research question, or to develop, test or validate an AI application.

Typical participants include

Research teams and scientific users
AI and machine-learning developers
SMEs and startups
Technology companies
Research teams developing scientific or AI software

What we offer

Access to suitable scientific datasets from participating Research Infrastructures, subject to applicable licences and access conditions
Access to federated computing and storage resources matched to the selected pilot, subject to availability
DEP components for running scientific workflows and deploying or testing applications
Support with pilot scoping, technical onboarding and integration within the agreed scope
Opportunities to collaborate with Research Infrastructures and scientific data experts

What you bring

A clearly defined research question or use case involving AI, machine learning or an advanced data-intensive workflow
A sufficiently mature analysis method, model, application or computational workflow that can be adapted and tested during the pilot
A team able to undertake the agreed workflow integration and applicant-side adaptations
Commitment to use scientific data, help validate RI-SCALE capabilities and provide feedback

How the collaboration works

Expressions of Interest can bring together complementary contributions:

Data Providers make scientific datasets available or enable new ways of exploiting data they already manage.
Scientific and AI Application Users bring a research question, analysis workflow, model or application that uses scientific data.
RI-SCALE reviews each idea and connects it to an existing use case where appropriate, or works with the relevant Research Infrastructure and resource providers to investigate a new pilot. For a selected pilot, the DEP configuration, computing and storage resources, support and responsibilities are agreed during scoping.
The goal is to demonstrate new ways of exploiting Research Infrastructure data through AI-enabled and advanced data-intensive research—not to provide general-purpose computing capacity.

Why participate?

Access to scientific data

Scientific and AI application users can work with suitable Research Infrastructure datasets, subject to applicable licences and access conditions.

Access to computing resources

Selected pilots can use computing and storage resources matched to their technical requirements, within the capacity available to the project.

Technical support

Receive support with pilot scoping, platform onboarding and technical integration. Data Providers remain responsible for data preparation and domain-specific guidance.

Validate your solution

Test real-world scientific or AI workflows, applications or data-publication processes within DEP.

Increase your visibility

Selected pilots will be promoted through RI-SCALE communication channels, events and demonstrations.

Who can submit an Expression of Interest?

Expressions of Interest are welcome from:

Research Infrastructures
Researchers, universities and research organisations
SMEs
Startups
Technology companies

What kind of pilot ideas are we looking for?

We are looking for ideas where:

Research Infrastructure data is made available or used through DEP;
a scientific or AI application user brings a defined research question and a suitable analysis workflow, model or application;
federated computing and storage enable AI-enabled or advanced data-intensive processing;
and the work helps test, demonstrate or improve RI-SCALE capabilities

Examples include:

AI and machine-learning research workflows
Predictive and large-scale data analytics
Digital twins and simulation workflows
Scientific decision-support systems
Image, climate and other data-intensive analyses
Data interoperability and reusable workflows
Testing or adapting scientific AI applications
Research–industry pilots using RI data

Each Expression of Interest should briefly explain:

the challenge being addressed;
the proposed solution;
the data you want to provide or use, if known;
the analysis method, model, application or workflow you intend to use;
why your existing resources are not sufficient and what data access, compute, storage, DEP integration or expertise you may need;
any known access, privacy, licensing or commercial-use considerations; and the expected result and its potential contribution to demonstrating RI-SCALE.

From Expression of Interest to selected pilot

The Expression of Interest is a lightweight first step, not a full application or a guarantee of access to RI-SCALE resources.

Ideas taken forward to pilot scoping will be assessed against common criteria:

Relevance: Alignment with RI-SCALE objectives, meaningful use or provision of Research Infrastructure data, and potential value for Research Infrastructure communities
Value and contribution: Potential to demonstrate new or improved data exploitation, scientific workflows or AI adoption and to validate RI-SCALE capabilities.
Feasibility and resource fit: Technical readiness and viability within the available timeframe, computing capacity and support resources.
Team capacity and commitment: Experience, expertise, availability and ability to undertake the applicant-side work required for the pilot.

Timeline

Publication of the Open Call: September 2026
EOI submission period: Open until March 2027
Initial review and response: Within 1 month of EOI submission
Pilot scoping and final assessment: Timing agreed with the relevant applicant and RI-SCALE partners
Pilot onboarding and implementation: Normally 6–10 months, depending on the pilot; implementation must finish no later than December 2027*
End of RI-SCALE Project: 29 February 2028

*Any exception would need to be agreed during pilot scoping and remain within the RI-SCALE project timeframe.