After Call #1 in March 2023 and the resulting successful onboarding of six third-party partners in November 2023, the OpenWebSearch.EU call for proposals again: Calls #2 and #3 invite researchers, innovators and data centres to submit their applications to participate in the Open Web Search mission and receive funding for their project ideas. The calls have already launched, and applications will be accepted until April 2024.

ows.eu Call #2: Applications of an Open Web Index

Call #2 particularly asks for proposals for applications of the Open Web Index. The Open WebSearch.eu project will provide access to pre-processed and indexed data in the terabyte range. Also, it will deliver continuous, daily updates until the end of the project. Successful applicants should use and exploit the data provided in innovative application scenarios or research topics.

Under this call, applicants will be able to apply for funding of between EUR 50,000 and EUR 100,000 for a funding period of up to 12 months.

Detailed information and application for the open call no. 2 can be found here.

Open call details:
Closing date: 4 April 2024, 5 PM
Notification date: June 2024
Start of projects: June/July 2024
Possible funding: EUR 50,000 – 100,000

ows.eu Call #3: Onboarding of Data Centres

Call #3 addresses computing and data centres to join the OpenWebSearch.eu network of infrastructure organisations and host parts of the OWSAI infrastructure. The ows.eu consortium aims to onboard data centres as a proof-of-concept for the developed technology and engage in discussions on creating a sustainable future infrastructure. Called will be universities, public infrastructure providers, data centres, companies (e.g., cloud providers) or research teams with a well-established infrastructure. Applicants should be capable of providing a significant extension to the current OpenWebSearch.eu data and compute infrastructure and engaging in relevant infrastructure-oriented R&D activities.

Under call#3, applicants can request funding between 100.000 and 150.000 EUR for a funding period of up to 12 months. Major cost categories can include infrastructure costs, other costs and human resources.

Detailed information and application for the open call no. 3 can be found here.

Open call details:
Closing date: 4 April 2024, 5 PM
Notification date: June 2024
Start of projects: June/July 2024
Possible funding: EUR 100,000 – 150,000

The open calls are part of the OpenWebSearch.eu community programme, aiming to integrate new third-party project teams into the OpenWebSearch.eu landscape and future activities for sustainable Research and Development. Therefore, the candidate third-party projects should probe the closely related topics addressed in the project and should aim at widening and enriching the existing R&D activities as well as suggesting new ones which are complementary to the project goals and aims. Ideally, the project results should be integrated with the OpenWebSearch.eu infrastructure.

More information on the calls and the call application packages can be found on the third-party call landing page here.