PROTEUS: The Copernicus Agent for Next-Generation Environmental Intelligencebroad
PROTEUS · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-09-01–2030-02-28
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-CL4-2025-02 · scheme HORIZON-RIA · topic HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-45. CORDIS record →
Objective
PROTEUS pioneers the digital transformation of Copernicus by embedding advanced AI and ML across the full value chain, turning open Earth observation into actionable environmental intelligence. At the centre is the Copernicus Agent, a modular framework that connects multimodal foundation models, hybrid AI–physics simulations, causal reasoning and agentic orchestration into coherent workflows. This next-generation system transforms Copernicus into an interactive knowledge infrastructure that can reason over data, generate forecasts and scenarios, and provide transparent, traceable outputs. PROTEUS addresses critical scientific bottlenecks: the need for scalable multimodal foundation models, the integration of physical consistency into AI-driven forecasts, the ability to disentangle causal relationships across complex datasets, and the construction of adaptive workflows that evolve with user requirements. Demonstrations will span climate-induced migration, agricultural stress, air quality, water security and transboundary risks, supported by Entrusted Entities and aligned with the European Digital Compass and Preparedness Union Strategy. The project advances scientific excellence while anchoring developments in operational contexts, ensuring transfer to service provision. By integrating explainable, trustworthy and responsible AI principles, and ensuring interoperability with Destination Earth, PROTEUS strengthens Europe’s sovereignty, resilience and leadership in AI for Earth observation. Outcomes will reinforce Copernicus as the backbone of digital environmental intelligence, accelerating foresight, situational awareness and early warning in domains where time matters most.
Beneficiaries (19)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHNICON METSOVION POLYTECHNION | EL | coordinator | €996,500 | |
| TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN | DE | participant | €1,422,275 | |
| TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLIN | DE | participant | €958,000 | |
| NVIDIA GmbH | DE | participant | €900,262 | |
| CDXi solutions I.K.E. | EL | participant | €864,875 | Yes |
| ENGINEERING - INGEGNERIA INFORMATICA SPA | IT | participant | €726,250 | |
| WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY | NL | participant | €701,889 | |
| DRAXIS RESEARCH VENTURES ASTIKI MI KERDOSKOPIKI ETAIRIA | EL | participant | €671,750 | Yes |
| ETHNIKO KAI KAPODISTRIAKO PANEPISTIMIO ATHINON | EL | participant | €656,125 | |
| HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF EV | DE | participant | €618,000 | |
| EUROPEAN UNION SATELLITE CENTRE | ES | participant | €592,879 | |
| ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS | EL | participant | €586,750 | |
| SERCO CZECH REPUBLIC SRO | CZ | participant | €568,000 | |
| EVENFLOW | BE | participant | €392,000 | Yes |
| AUTORITA' DI BACINO DISTRETTUALE DELLE ALPI ORIENTALI | IT | participant | €358,812 | |
| SUNDOSOFT CO. LTD. | KR | participant | €318,375 | |
| AUTORITA' DI BACINO DISTRETTUALE DEL FIUME PO | IT | participant | €205,288 | |
| AGENCIJA ZA RURALNI RAZVOJ ZADARSKEZUPANIJE AGRRA | HR | participant | €183,250 | |
| RURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE KOREA RURAL COMMUNITY CORPORATION | KR | participant | €106,875 |
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