University of Crete wins €1.5 million EU grant for AI impact study

The Institute of Research in Education and Digital Humanities and Social Sciences (INePAK) at the University of Crete has been awarded a €1.5 million grant under the Horizon Europe – WIDERA Twinning 2026 programme. The project, called BRIDGE‑AI (Building Research and Institutional Capacity for Democratised Governance of AI), will develop a scientifically‑backed methodology for Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments required for high‑risk AI systems under the EU AI Act, which takes effect in August 2026.

The consortium includes Technische Universität München’s Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence, University College Dublin’s Centre for Digital Policy and the company ERINN Innovation Limited. BRIDGE‑AI will run researcher mobility schemes, long‑term mentorship, and two certified training cycles expected to benefit more than 200 participants from five target groups, addressing algorithmic discrimination in public services and the impact of AI on citizens’ cognitive autonomy.