Funding for game developers 2016-2017

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Horizon2020 funding for game developers 2016-2017

In this article EGDF summarises, with the kind help of Nordic Game Institute, the most potential Horizon2020 calls for: 


  1. The potential funding calls for game developers


  2. Potential funding calls for serious game developers


  3. The key calls for industry associations supporting game developers

1. The potential funding calls for game developers

In this summary RIA refers to a Research and Innovation Action, IA to an Innovation action and CSA to a Coordination and Support Action.

  • SMEInst-01-2016-2017- Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
    • To who: A game developer focusing on disruptive innovation and fast market up-take. In particular it will be interesting for entrepreneurs and young innovative SMEs, including start-ups that are looking for swift support to their innovative ideas.
    • How much funding is available: a lump sum of EUR 50.000 in phase 1 and EUR 0.5 and 2.5 million EU contribution in Phase 2
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least one SME
      • Only applications from for-profit SMEs established in EU Member States or Horizon 2020 associated countries
      • No concurrent submission or implementation with another SME instrument phase 1 or phase 2 project
    • Upcoming deadlines:
      • Phase 1:
        • 03 May 2016 17:00:00
        • 07 September 2016 17:00:00
        • 09 November 2016 17:00:00
        • 15 February 2017 17:00:00
        • 03 May 2017 17:00:00
        • 06 September 2017 17:00:00
        • 08 November 2017 17:00:00
      • Phase 2:
        • 14 April 2016 17:00:00
        • 15 June 2016 17:00:00
        • 13 October 2016 17:00:00
        • 18 January 2017 17:00:00
        • 06 April 2017 17:00:00
        • 01 June 2017 17:00:00
        • 18 October 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/6112-smeinst-01-2016-2017.html
  • ICT-06-2016: Cloud Computing
    • To who: A game developer running their game on a cloud and willing to focus on
      • (A) RIA, new paradigms of cloud computing: densely interconnected and decentralised cloud infrastructures, software-defined data centres, re- allocation of resources and services across distributed computing and geographically separated data storage infrastructures, techniques to deal with trust, security and privacy in decentralised cloud infrastructures and across multiple cloud providers or evolution of cloud architectures to improve the management of physical resources and the efficiency of cloud systems
      • (B) IA, experimentation of cloud-based services and their deployment configurations in large- scale decentralised and federated environments or piloting and demonstration in near-operational settings that could lead to the introduction and uptake of new, flexible and resource-effective cloud solutions for SMEs and/or the public sector.
    • How much funding is available: between EUR 3 and 5 million EU contribution for A and between EUR 2 and 4 million EU contribution for B
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadline: 12 April 2016 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5091-ict-06-2016.html
  • ICT-21-2016: Support technology transfer to the creative industries
    • To who: IA, a SME game developer or a SME middleware developer focusing on leveraging emerging ICT technologies for the development of innovative products, tools, applications and services with high commercial potential.
    • How much funding is available: between EUR 0,5 and 1 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadline: 12 April 2016 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5099-ict-21-2016.html
  • ICT-19-2017: Media and content convergence
    • To who: IA A game developer or a middleware developer focusing on immersive and pervasive solutions for increased personalised user experience (e.g. hyper- personalized, real-time storytelling, QoE, free viewpoint, augmented reality) AND/OR trying to enable the interaction with content on any device, anywhere, anytime in a multiplatform scenario AND/OR advancement of accessibility solutions specifically for converging media and content AND/OR new services build around content aggregation, annotation, mash-ability, verification, analysis, search, media sharing and recommendation.
    • How much funding is available: between EUR 2 and 4 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadline: 08 November 2016 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5063-ict-19-2017.html
  • ICT-20-2017: Tools for smart digital content in the creative industries
    • To who: RIA and IA, A game developer or a middleware developer focusing on technologies for the production of new content or for the enhancement and (re-)use of already existing digital content of any type. The production or acquisition of the content itself is not to be financed through these actions.
    • How much funding is available: between EUR 2 and 4 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements: 
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadline: 25 April 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5071-ict-20-2017.html
  •  ICT-23-2017: Interfaces for accessibility 
    • To who:
      • (A) RIA, A game developer wiling to focus on the development of intelligent, affordable and personalised interfaces and affective computing for people with cognitive disabilities OR A neurogame developer focusing on developing and testing solutions, models and algorithms to improve (and act upon) information extraction from brain and neural signals, including through advances on state of the art electrodes and implantable devices.
      • (B) IA, a online game developer willing to focus on developing and demonstrating decision support tools for the assessment of compliance to web sites accessibility standards and guidelines
    • How much funding is available: about EUR 2 million contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      •  At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadline: 25 April 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5067-ict-23-2017.html
  • DS-08-2017: Privacy, Data Protection, Digital Identities
    • To who:
      • IA, A game developr or a middleware developer wiling to focus on novel designs and tools to provide users with the functionality they require without exposing any more information than necessary, and without losing control over their data, to any third parties OR tools and methods to assist organisations to implement the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) taking into account the final provisions of GDPR and guidance from relevant authorities OR develop innovative, secure and privacy enhancing digital identity platforms beyond national eID systems.
    • How much funding is available: between EUR 2 and 3 million contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadline: 24 August 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/2428-ds-08-2017.html


2. Potential funding calls for serious game developers

 

  • SMEInst-06-2016-2017 – Accelerating market introduction of ICT solutions for Health, Well-Being and Ageing Well
    • To who: A health game developer focusing on disruptive innovation and fast market up- take in ICT for health, wellbeing and ageing well. In particular it will be interesting for SMEs and young companies that are looking for swift support to their innovative ideas.
    • How much funding is available: a lump sum of EUR 50.000 in phase 1 and EUR 0.5 and 2.5 million EU contribution in Phase 2
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least one SME
      • Only applications from for-profit SMEs established in EU Member States or Horizon 2020 associated countries
      • No concurrent submission or implementation with another SME instrument phase 1 or phase 2 project
    • Upcoming deadlines:
      • Phase 1
        • 03 May 2016 17:00:00
        • 07 September 2016 17:00:00
        • 09 November 2016 17:00:00
        • 15 February 2017 17:00:00
        • 03 May 2017 17:00:00
        • 06 September 2017 17:00:00
        • 08 November 2017 17:00:00
      • Phase 2:
        • 14 April 2016 17:00:00
        • 15 June 2016 17:00:00
        • 13 October 2016 17:00:00
        • 18 January 2017 17:00:00
        • 06 April 2017 17:00:00
        • 01 June 2017 17:00:00
        • 18 October 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/6114-smeinst-06-2016-2017.html
  • ICT-24-2016: Gaming and gamification
    • To who: IA, Any serious game developer willing to focus on technology transfer through small scale experiments on developing and validating open gaming technologies (augmented and mixed reality, 3D audio and video, virtual worlds, interactive storytelling, narratives, modelling and data, etc.) and mechanics including from sectors other than the gaming industry into non-leisure situations and scenarios for training and motivational purposes.
    • How much funding is available: around EUR 1 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadlines: 12 April 2016 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5088-ict-24-2016.html
  • ICT-22-2016: Technologies for Learning and Skills 
    • To who:
      • (A) IA, an edugame developer or a middleware developer focusing on developing and testing open, interoperable components for a flexible, scalable and cost-effective cloud-based digital learning infrastructure (e.g. authoring and modelling tools; syndication tools; networked objects; electronic publishing platforms; social and collaborative networks) to deliver user-driven innovation in technological solutions (e.g. 3D simulation and modelling technologies, visualisation technologies, augmented and virtual reality, location intelligence, intelligent tutors and other adaptive and multimodal technologies) and educational services (e.g. learning analytics for creating, collecting, storing, sharing learner/educational data in a systematic, secure way) for primary and secondary education, for personalised, collaborative or experimental learning and skills validation.
      • (B), RIA, an edugame developer or a middleware developer focusing technologies for deeper learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, combined with Arts (STEAM), improving the innovation and creative capacities of learners and supporting the new role of teacher as a coach of the learner.
    • How much funding is available: around EUR 5 million EU contribution for A and around EUR 2,5 million EU contribution for B
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      •  All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadlines: 12 April 2016 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5086-ict-22-2016.html
  • SFS-39-2017: How to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic?
    • To who: 
      • RIA, A health game developer willing to focus on innovative and efficient strategies, tools and/or programmes for promoting sustainable and healthy dietary behaviours and lifestyles.
    • How much funding is available: up to EUR 10 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other
    • Deadlines:
      • Stage 1: 14 February 2017 17:00:00
      • Stage 2: 13 September 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/6060-sfs-39-2017.html
  • SC1-PM-15-2017: Personalised coaching for well-being and care of people as they age
    • To who: RIA, IA, A health game developer willing to focus on develop a proof of concept of radically new solutions for a personalised “virtual coach”, building upon intelligent ICT environments, access to relevant physiological and behavioural data, new forms of accessible interaction based on tangible user interaction concepts, open platforms and emotional computing. Usability and ease of user interaction should be essential design elements of the “coach”.
    • How much funding is available: between EUR 3 and 4 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadlines: 31 January 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/3069-sc1-pm-15-2017.html

 

3. The key calls for industry associations supporting game developers

 

  • ICT-36-2016: Boost synergies between artists, creative people and technologists 
    • To who:
      • (A) IA, Organisations interested in establishing a structured dialogue between creative people and technologists and promoting the replication of successful initiatives across other industries and European countries. The organisations should launch a yearly Europe wide competition for the best creative product ideas and ensure the financial support of their realization, promote the selected ideas through highly visible actions addressing both the general public and potential investors and develop a sustainability strategy to ensure the persistence of the experiences gained.
      • (B) ) CSA, Organisations interested in funding short-term residencies/fellowships in running H2020 projects or in institutions and sponsoring ‘matchmaking events’ (workshops, hackatons, etc.) that will allow artists and ICT experts to develop common work practices and address concrete problems, setting up an online platform to match partners from the ICT and the Arts, and organising an annual high visible STARTS event with international outreach bringing together H2020 projects
    • How much funding is available: EUR 3 million EU contribution for (A) and EUR 4 million EU contribution for (B)
    • Other key requirements: 
      •  (A) At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country. All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
      • (B) At least one legal entity established in an EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
    • Deadlines: 12 April 2016 17:00:00
    • For more information visit
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5092-ict-36-2016.html
  • ICT-19-2017: Media and content convergence 
    • To who: CSA, Organisations increasing awareness of the latest technological developments among policy stakeholders, making researchers aware of the current and future policy and regulatory framework and monitoring the state of the art of the European Media and Content sector in a digital single market and organisations Supporting R&D programmes/activities, dissemination of results and organisation of scientific and/or policy events and analysing and developing research agendas and roadmaps, pre-standardisation initiatives and stakeholders coordination in Convergence and Social Media.
    • How much funding is available: EUR 1 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least one legal entity established in an EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
    • Deadlines: 08 November 2016 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5063-ict-19-2017.html
  • ICT-32-2017: Startup Europe for Growth and Innovation Radar
    •  To who:
      • (A) Organisations interested in reinforcing ICT ecosystems for high growth tech startups by interconnecting and creating new synergies between 3-4 different Startup hubs across Europe per project. Activities should focus on scaling-up of companies by connecting, across different entrepreneurial ecosystems. Furthermore, the organisations should facilitate financing and improving the liquidity for European investments in fast growing ICT startups, increasing their chances for a successful exit.
      • How much funding is available: EUR 1,5 million EU contribution
      • Other key requirements:
        • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
        • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
      • Deadline: 25 April 2017 17:00:00
      • For more information visit:
        http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/5069-ict-32-2017.html

 

  • CO-CREATION-01-2017: Education and skills: empowering Europe’s young innovators
    • To who: IA, The organisations interested in developing new models, to investigate and to test new mechanisms that the young generation is engaging in, for addressing societal challenges coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit as well as effective ways and mechanisms for collecting and promoting innovative ideas from the young people. Particular attention should be paid to gender issues.
    • How much funding is available: EUR 2,5 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadline: 02 February 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit:
      http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/3071-co-creation-01-2017.html

 

This EU funding report is commissioned and funded by Nordic Game Institute

 

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