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BDVA i-Space label: Call 2026

BDVA I Space Label Call

Data-driven innovation needs guidance. Lead the way! The Call for BDVA i-Space 2026 labels is now open!

Why apply?

To ensure the quality of the European Data & AI Innovation Spaces and to connect existing initiatives under one umbrella, BDVA set up the BDVA i-Space label. On a yearly basis, candidates from all over Europe are invited to apply for this label. A set of criteria is evaluated through an online survey to collect the relevant information. After an automatic scoring based on quantitative indicators, a review committee appointed by the BDVA Board of Directors (BoD) carefully examines individual candidates and recommends the appropriate quality ranking (incubated, bronze, silver, gold and platinum) to the BoD, which ultimately grants the label. This label remains valid for a period of two years.

Through this labelling process, the BDVA recognises the quality of existing data and AI experimentation and innovation hubs in Europe and guarantees that the innovation environments provided by those initiatives meet the necessary requirements to boost data-driven and AI-based innovation at local level, but also the collaboration with similar initiatives to foster the adoption at European level. These activities have led to the establishment of a Federation of i-Spaces that ensure easy access for industrial partners to foster the development and testing of pre-competitive solutions on high-quality platforms offering certified services and training.

The label is a well-recognised brand, which offers a quality reference and provides visibility to national initiatives on Data and Artificial Intelligence. Recognition as an i-Space also provides an opportunity to further increase the visibility of the offered trainings and services through the common catalogue. Discover the i-Spaces and their services in Federated Catalogue here.

How to become a labelled BDVA i-Space?

ISpaces Labeling Timeline 0

 

  1. Apply by filling out a questionnaire providing all the relevant information
  2. Quantitative and qualitative assessment supported by the experts of the i-Space label review committee.
  3. Online interview (only if requested by the review committee to clarify some information)
  4. Proposal from the review committee with labelled i-Spaces
  5. Final decision by the BDVA Board of Directors
  6. Communication of results to all the candidates
  7. Awards ceremony of label at the European Big Data Value Forum

Call for BDVA i-Space label 2026: Call is open. Applications open until 1 September 2026!

  • Application for BDVA i-Space label: Fill in and submit the no later than 1 September 2026, 23:59 CET (note you can download a .pdf version to work out details offline. The tool also offers the possibility to save drafts until submission).
  • Online interviews: Expected in September (only if needed).
  • Communication of results: Beginning of September 2026.
  • Awards ceremony at the European Big Data Value Forum, Galway (Ireland): 30 September 2026. We recommend all applicants to get their tickets for the event as soon as possible to benefit from the early bird discount.

For any questions please contact: operations@bdva.eu

 

 

Evaluation criteria

i-Spaces are evaluated based on the following dimensions:

  1. Provides Services
  2. Infrastructure service
  3. Projects and sectorial applications
  4. Ecosystem and Impact
  5. Business strategy and sustainability
  6. Federation of i-Spaces
  7. Ethics and Legal

 

All dimensions are evaluated and given a score between 0 and 5. Dimensions from 1 to 5 are basic for any i-Space, while dimensions 6 and 7 are considered for more advance. The innovation space will be granted a label (incubated, bronze, silver, gold, platinum) according to the following criteria:

I Space Label 2023 Image Label Levels
  • The application process is open to both BDVA and non-BDVA members.
  • Application is free of charge for BDVA members. Non-BDVA members will have to pay an administrative fee of 500 €.
  • The i-Space label applicant is responsible for ensuring that all information supplied to BDVA gives a realistic representation of verifiable status of the i-Space.
  • We request all applicants to provide the qualitative information (text based responses) with enough quality so the provided text can be used for publishing purposes if required (and agreed)
  • The applicant might be requested to provide some additional information/evidence during the evaluation process. If the applicant does not provide the requested evidence or the information provided reveals substantial discrepancies with the reported status, any ongoing procedure may be stopped and prior granted labels may be revoked at any time on the sole authority of the Review Committee after agreement with the BDVA Secretary General.
  • Members of the review committee will be selected from relevant experts through an open call that will address people expert in the different dimensions covered by the i-Spaces.
  • Grant of the BDVA i-Space label does not imply grant of the BDVA membership.