IT4LIA AI Factory and ART-ER are opening the second phase of Open Innovation Scouting 2026: after selecting the participating companies, the call now looks for researchers based in Emilia-Romagna who want to bring their AI technologies in front of the companies that can turn them into real projects.
What is Open Innovation Scouting 2026
Back in March, the programme was open to companies. Now it’s the turn of researchers. The goal remains the same: moving past the “closed” innovation model and building a direct dialogue between research and business, turning scientific results into industrial assets and closing the gap between the lab and the market.
The 18 companies selected in the first phase, active in manufacturing, logistics and environmental sustainability, are now waiting to discover the AI technologies developed by researchers across the region.
How the programme works
Researchers who are admitted will go through a structured 5-step path:
- Listening session and Demo Day: companies attend pitches from researchers on technologies of potential industrial interest
- Company analysis and prioritisation: companies identify the solutions that best fit their profile
- One-to-one meetings: in-depth sessions between researchers and companies
- Integration assessment: technical feasibility analysis for integrating the solutions with IT4LIA AI Factory’s services portfolio and computing infrastructure
- Follow-up and monitoring: to track how the relationships develop over time
For admitted researchers, this is also a chance to get to know the IT4LIA ecosystem in depth and its potential, increasing the impact of their scientific work and facilitating technology transfer.
Who can apply
Up to 60 researchers based in Emilia-Romagna can apply, provided they meet both of these requirements:
- work within a laboratory accredited to the Emilia-Romagna High Technology Network, or within a research organisation with legal and/or operational headquarters in the region
- have a product, service or technology with a TRL of 3 or higher
Having already started projects, even at an experimental stage, on the use of AI in business processes or services is a preferential criterion. In case of a tie, applications are ranked by chronological order of arrival.
The commitment required
The programme runs for 5 months and requires a binding commitment of at least 8 person-days, to be spread between September 2026 and February 2027. Activities will take place in a mixed format, both in person and online.
Participation does not involve any economic contribution, grant or guarantee of collaboration with the companies: it’s an opportunity for visibility and connection with the region’s industrial fabric.
How and when to apply
The deadline to submit an application is 16 September 2026 at 6:00 PM. Applications are also evaluated by chronological order of arrival, so it’s worth not waiting until the last day.
Read the full requirements and apply now
For more information: Annamaria Bonardi, imprese@art-er.it
