Partnerships

AI, Data & Robots (ADRA)

AI, Data & Robots (ADRA)

Partnership website: https://adr-association.eu/

The AI, Data and Robotics (ADR) Partnership is a European initiative that brings together industry, academia, and the European Commission to develop innovative technologies at scale. By pooling resources, expertise, and investments, the partnership aims to generate long-term impact, strengthen European competitiveness, and support job creation and economic growth.

Objectives of the ADR Partnership

The partnership is structured around three main goals:

  • Technological Sovereignty: Strengthen Europe’s control over key technologies and expertise in AI, data, and robotics.
  • Innovation Leadership: Position Europe as a leader in developing technologies with high environmental, social, and economic relevance.
  • Market Competitiveness: Enhance Europe’s global standing in AI, data, and robotics markets.

Why Connect to ADR?

For researchers and entrepreneurs in Flanders, joining the ADR ecosystem offers several advantages:

  • Access to European networks and collaboration opportunities with leading institutions and companies.
  • Participation in Horizon Europe projects, with funding and support for research and innovation.
  • Insight into strategic priorities, helping align local efforts with European goals.
  • Contribution to responsible technology development, guided by European values and principles.

The ADR Partnership promotes trustworthy and value-driven innovation, grounded in fundamental rights and ethical standards. It supports Europe’s ambition to lead globally in the development and deployment of AI, data, and robotics technologies.

What are partnerships?

Partnerships group the EC and private and/or public partners, to coordinate and streamline the research & innovation initiatives and funding in some selected key domains.

How to use partnerships?

  • orientation
    Partnerships publish strategic documents, e.g. outlining the main research and innovation challenges or key focus points.
  • networking
    Partnerships often organise events, such as info days, brokerage events, etc. Meet potential partners and learn about the nuances that are not visible in the official documents.
  • ecosystem analysis
    Partnerships typically have an advisory board, and publish impact studies of previous actions. These are good sources of information to uncover the main R&D&I players in the domain.
  • steering the agenda
    Partnerships collaborate with the EC on outlining the strategy and the future funding opportunities in their domain, based on input from industry, academia, and other stakeholders.

Testimonial

image of STARGATE - Sustainable Aviation

STARGATE - Sustainable Aviation

The Stargate project obtained funding under the special Green Deal call of Horizon 2020, more in particular under the topic of “green ports and airports”.  It received the maximum score of the evaluators and was selected out of more than 40 projects. Stargate’s purpose is to prove that sustainable aviation is possible and happening. It focuses on the further decarbonization of the aviation industry, the improvement of local environmental quality and the stimulation of the modal split. Together with a consortium of 21 European partners with a diverse and rich expertise (airports, community partners, knowledge institutions, consultants, local governments, …), Brussels Airports takes the lead as lighthouse airport to develop and implement innovative solutions. Results that prove successful can be deployed at the fellow airports (Toulouse, Budapest, Athens). Over the course of the coming five years, the consortium will exchange knowledge to investigate and realize more than 30 concrete projects.