Virtual worlds test beds

The Virtual Worlds Test Beds grant aims to advance European digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy by fostering the development and integration of innovative, interoperable virtual world solutions. The primary goal is to enhance productivity and innovation capacity through cutting-edge virtual worlds, immersive, and extended reality technologies. By supporting the testing, experimentation, and real-world validation of mature virtual world solutions, the initiative seeks to maximize their adoption in both industrial and societal sectors. The grant also promotes the creation and use of EU regulatory sandboxes, encouraging the safe and effective deployment of these technologies.

Eligibility for this grant is directed toward proposals that focus on either industrial or societal applications of virtual worlds. Industrial applications may include sectors such as manufacturing, construction, or industrial design, while societal applications can encompass education, training, cultural heritage, public administration, or healthcare. Each project must establish a network of facilities with significant presence across at least three different EU Member States or associated countries. Proposals should clearly identify their targeted application area and demonstrate the capacity to provide the necessary expertise and infrastructure for comprehensive testing methodologies.

The anticipated impact includes increased competitiveness in targeted sectors, broader uptake of virtual world solutions, and strengthened European leadership in digital innovation. The test beds are expected to facilitate interoperability and transferability between virtual worlds, supporting sustainable growth and technological advancement across Europe.