Step 1: Explore the Right Access Route

Applicants first identify which BRAIN++ tier fits their project:

• Small Project / Service
• Big Project
• Strategic or Core Project

Small Projects are suitable for early exploration. Big Projects are suitable for structured development and deployment. Strategic and Core Projects are reserved for high-impact national or European initiatives.

Step 2: Initial Contact or Application

Applicants may enter the BRAIN++ pipeline through:

• Website contact form
• Direct application through the portal
• Ecosystem partner referral
• Open call
• Themed challenge
• Workshop, hackathon, or AI competition
• Direct outreach by BRAIN++ ecosystem or business development teams

Step 3: Project Access Application Form

Applicants submit the Project Access Application Form. This form captures the project description, applicant information, requested resources, intended access tier, technical approach, data strategy, compliance declarations, milestones, KPIs, and resource justification.

Step 4: Administrative Completeness Check

BRAIN++ checks whether the application is complete. If information is missing, the applicant is asked to provide it before the application proceeds.

Step 5: Eligibility and Compliance Gate

The project is reviewed against minimum eligibility and compliance requirements. The gate confirms whether the project is AI-relevant, technically coherent, legally eligible, data-ready, GDPR-aware, AI Act-aware, cybersecurity-ready, and proportionate in its resource request.

Step 6: Scoring and Evaluation

Applications that pass the eligibility gate are evaluated using a weighted scoring framework. The Selection Committee assesses technical excellence, impact, scalability, team capacity, and strategic alignment.

Step 7: Decision Notification

Applicants receive a formal decision. Possible outcomes include:

• Approved
• Approved with conditions
• Priority approved
• Strategic fast-track candidate
• Rejected
• Returned for mitigation or revision

Step 8: Contracting

Approved projects sign a Resource Access Agreement. This agreement defines resources, responsibilities, milestones, KPIs, compliance obligations, monitoring expectations, and project conditions.

Private company Big Projects may also sign a Participation Agreement.

Step 9: Resource Activation

After contracting, BRAIN++ activates the approved resource package, including compute, expert support, workspace, datasets, training, or business support as applicable.

Step 10: Delivery, Monitoring, and Reporting

Projects are monitored according to their tier. Small Projects have light reporting. Big Projects follow milestone and stage-gate governance. Strategic and Core Projects follow dedicated governance arrangements.

Step 11: Close-Out and Impact

At the end of the engagement, project outputs, impact, lessons learned, and follow-on opportunities are documented. Successful projects may become success stories, ecosystem references, or candidates for further support.