EUSAiR Pilots
Help Shape the Future of AI Regulation in Europe
be among the first to test Europe’s AI regulatory sandbox framework.
The EUSAiR Pilots offer AI providers, regulators, and support infrastructures across Europe a unique opportunity to experiment and share use cases, and to collaborate and co-design the future procedures and methods of AI regulatory sandboxes, contributing to implementation of the AI Act.
EUSAiR is a two-year project, funded by the European Union’s Digital Europe program, which will support the implementation of AI regulatory sandboxes across the EU to foster AI innovation and competitiveness, improve legal certainty for innovators and facilitate regulatory compliance with the AI Act.
EUSAiR aims to coordinate and support the implementation of AI regulatory sandboxes across the EU as mandated by the AI Act. The project focuses on providing standardised frameworks, enhancing technical and legal capacities, and promoting cooperation among Member States. It seeks to ensure broad access to sandboxes for AI innovators, particularly SMEs and startups, by reducing compliance costs and market barriers.
In supporting national authorities and innovators, EUSAiR will engage stakeholders and collaborate with other AI initiatives. The project emphasises interdisciplinary engagement and SME access, envisioning a network of sandboxes that includes key players in the AI ecosystem.
EUSAiR will foster policy advocacy, independent analysis, and scalable training models to enhance legal certainty, support regulatory compliance, and facilitate cross-border sandbox development. By synergising with other Digital Europe initiatives, it will conduct pilot tests within strategic European HPC infrastructures, ensuring effective collaboration with national authorities.
what are the EUSAiR Pilots?
EUSAiR is launching pilot projects between October 2025 and March 2026, in three secure and collaborative testing environments. The pilots aim to test a common EU framework for AI regulatory sandboxes (AIRS) – as mandated by the AI Act.
Up to 90 use cases will be considered, covering innovative AI systems from across sectors such as health, finance, education, manufacturing, and much more. The goal? To identify regulatory challenges, test potential solutions, and provide hands-on feedback that will shape future AIRS implementation across the EU.
why join?
For AI Providers (Startups, SMEs, Large Enterprises)
- Test your AI system in a real or simulated regulatory environment.
- Receive expert support and regulatory guidance tailored to your system.
- Address compliance challenges early and proactively.
- Improve market readiness and prepare for conformity assessments.
- Gain visibility with national and EU-level regulators.
For National Competent Authorities (NCAs)
- Review and validate AIRS procedures in a safe environment.
- Collaborate with peers and EUSAiR experts to refine regulatory strategies.
- Access independent advice on real-world use cases.
- Explore cross-border cooperation and harmonisation pathways.
For EDIHs, TEFs, and AI Factories
- Support your stakeholders in navigating AI regulation.
- Facilitate testing within advanced digital infrastructures.
- Contribute to a pan-European effort on trustworthy and safe AI.
how it works
Participants can choose one of three testing environments:
- EUSAiR advice and guidance: Focus group-style sessions tackling regulatory questions through expert discussion.
- Digital Sandboxing: Simulated testing environments where your AI system can be safely assessed.
- Real-World Testing: Practical evaluation of AI systems within your actual development or deployment context.
Each participant will benefit from:
- A bespoke testing plan.
- Collaboration with regulatory and technical experts.
- An exit report summarising key findings, lessons learned, and feedback.
who can apply?
We welcome:
- AI providers of all sizes.
- Public and private sector organisations.
- National authorities and regulators.
- Innovation hubs, infrastructures, and research institutions.
While they strive to accommodate all requests, EUSAiR may reject use cases clearly outside the AI Act’s scope. Guidance will be provided to AI providers to understand selection criteria. Should applications exceed capacity, EUSAiR will select based on criteria published in September 2025, prioritising innovative AI systems that present regulatory challenges.
how to apply
We strongly encourage interested stakeholders to contact us as soon as possible for an early informal pre-application providing a brief description of the use case to bring to the pilot, the type of framework of interest, and the preferred cohort:
Timeline Cohort 1
| Start date | End date | Application deadline |
Testing environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2025 | 23 December 2025 | 15 September 2025 | Advice and guidance |
| 15 November 2025 | 23 December 2025 | 1 October 2025 | Digital sandboxing |
| 1 December 2026 | 23 December 2025 | 15 October 2025 | Real-world testing |
Timeline Cohort 2
| Start date | End date | Application deadline |
Testing environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 January 2026 | 31 March 2026 | 10 December 2025 | Advice and guidance |
| 8 January 2026 | 31 March 2026 | 15 November 2025 | Digital sandboxing |
| 8 January 2026 | 31 March 2026 | 15 November 2025 | Real-world testing |
For early expressions of interest or questions, contact us.
To know more about the legal aspects here.
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