Européen
NEPHELE 2nd Open Call
Participants have to address the scope of the 2nd Open Call, that is to validate the proposed architectural approach of the NEPHELE platform and synergetic meta-orchestration framework implementation, based on the development of intelligent orchestration mechanisms and a set of distributed applications (incl. VOs, cVOs). The aim is to validate the NEPHELE architectural approach and the NEPHELE platform implementation, considering both the needs of application providers and vertical industries.
● Cloud and edge computing orchestration technologies, especially around Kubernetes-oriented platforms.
● Microservices-based application development. Distributed application development.
● IoT technologies: communication protocols (e.g., HTTP, CoAP, MQTT, Web of Things), semantic interoperability, security mechanisms, digital twin development.
● Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) techniques for orchestration and workflow management
The proposals must address one of the two types of projects listed below:
– [1st project type] Development and deployment of a distributed application for the computing continuum, considering the IoT, the edge and -where applicable- the cloud part of the computing infrastructure.
– [2nd project type] Development, integration and evaluation of an intelligent orchestration mechanism for the NEPHELE Synergetic Meta-Orchestrator.
For the first project type, the Initial TRL should be 4-5 and the proposed solutions should reach TRL 5-6 by the end of the support programme.
For the second project type, the Initial TRL should be 3-4 and the proposed solutions should reach TRL 4-5 by the end of the support programme.
The selected SMEs/Mid-caps will benefit from the 2nd Open Call in a number of ways, namely by:
1. Participating in a 6-month-long support programme;
2. Receiving a fixed lump sum of up to €110,000 per entity;
3. Receiving technical mentoring during the support programme.
The provided software and its documentation have to be made available as open source, if possible, and offered as part of the NEPHELE ecosystem. Especially for the second option (development of intelligent orchestration mechanisms), the release of the software as open-source is mandatory.
Eligible entities are single industrial SMEs (including startups) and Midcaps registered in the Member States of the EU or in Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

