The Institute for Research in Education and Digital Humanities and Social Sciences has been awarded funding for its BRIDGE-AI (Building Research and Institutional Capacity for Democratised Governance of AI) proposal under the highly competitive Horizon Europe – WIDERA Twinning 2026 program of the European Union.

With a total budget of €1.5 million, the project is coordinated by the University of Crete and will be implemented in collaboration with three leading European partners: the Technische Universität München (Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence – IEAI), University College Dublin (Centre for Digital Policy), and ERINN Innovation Limited.

BRIDGE-AI addresses one of the most pressing challenges arising from the European Union’s new Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). Beginning in August 2026, organizations deploying high-risk AI systems will be required to conduct Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments (FRIAs). Despite this legal obligation, there is currently no widely accepted methodological framework to guide these assessments in a clear, scientifically rigorous, and evidence-based manner.

The project aims to fill this important gap by developing an innovative, empirically validated methodology for assessing the impact of artificial intelligence on fundamental rights. Particular emphasis is placed on two key areas of contemporary research: first, the structural discrimination that may be reproduced through algorithmic systems in public services; and second, the potential effects of AI on citizens’ cognitive autonomy when interacting with public administration.

The project’s core activities include international researcher mobility programs, long-term scientific mentoring schemes, and two rounds of certified training expected to benefit more than 200 participants from five different target groups.

The University of Crete’s core research team includes Eleni Katsarou (Project Coordinator and Director of the Institute for Research in Education and Digital Humanities and Social Sciences), Melina Tamiolaki (Vice Rector of the University of Crete and Deputy Director of Director of the Institute for Research in Education and Digital Humanities and Social Sciences), Antonis Angelakis (Department of Political Science), Eleni Vasilaki (Department of Primary Education), Katerina Vasiou (Department of Primary Education), Anthi Koskina (Department of Political Science), and Giota Samioti (School of Philosophy – Writing Center).

The success of BRIDGE-AI highlights the University of Crete’s leading role in artificial intelligence research and further strengthens the institution’s international presence. The project will make a significant contribution to shaping the European ecosystem for responsible and human-centered artificial intelligence.

At the same time, as the first major European project awarded to IREDHSS, BRIDGE-AI marks an important milestone in the Institute’s development. It is expected to serve as the foundation for a sustained and dynamic trajectory of research excellence within the University Research and Innovation Center (URIC).