I4MS2 calls for Innovation Action projects that will support European SMEs and mid-caps to innovate and make more sustainable their products, production processes and business models through experimentation and testing. It will also support a radical reduction of the environmental footprint of the sector. In this context, experimentation with innovative and secure digital technologies in their production processes, products and business models guided notably by competence centres specialised in the technologies mentioned below will enhance manufacturing companies to successfully manage the twin digital and green transformation of the coming years.
At least 50% of the budget should be allocated to SMEs and mid-caps to participate in the experiments.

Priority should be given to technologies that can:

• Improve the sustainability of processes and products; significantly reduce or reuse waste and lower the energy and carbon footprint;
• Make industrial processes more agile, secure and resilient to future changes;
• Make manufacturing jobs more attractive for humans, whichever the age, gender or social and cultural background, through better human-machine interfaces and more intuitive interaction with digital tools;

The following technology areas should be addressed in proposals:

• Artificial Intelligence applied to manufacturing, with a specific focus of AI applications at the edge;
• Cybersecure Industrial Internet of Things enabling trustworthy sharing of industrial data and value creation, to achieve further flexibility and agility of supply chains;
• Advanced interfaces and collaboration within smart working environments such as collaborative robots.

Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is €60000.