Digital Europe webinar: Cybersecurity Funding & Matchmaking
Do you seek funding for your cybersecurity project or initiative? Or would you like to connect with potential partners in the European Union? Then join the Digital Europe webinar: Cybersecurity Funding & Matchmaking. Experts will present the latest funding opportunities under the Digital Europe Programme.
This webinar is organised by the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centres (NCCs) of the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Greece. It promotes a common approach to improving cybersecurity.
Please note that the event will be held in English.
For whom?
This upcoming cross-border Digital Europe Programme webinar 'Cybersecurity Funding & Matchmaking' supports potential applicants in their search for funding opportunities and partners within the European cybersecurity community.
During this webinar, breakout rooms will be created based on the open call topics in the Digital Europe Programme. In the explanation of the breakout rooms below, you will find a detailed description for who each breakout room is intended for.
Programme
- 13:00 - 13:15Welcome
- 13:15 - 13:40Information session – Digital Europe Programme: explore funding opportunities
- 13:40 - 14:15Breakout rooms
- 14:15 - 14:30Wrap up
Breakout rooms
There will be 3 breakout rooms based on the following open call topics in the Digital Europe Programme:
Objective of this topic: the focus is on developing AI-based cybersecurity tools for national and cross-border cyber hubs, computer security incident response teams (CSIRTs), and other authorities to improve:
- threat detection;
- vulnerability management;
- incident recovery.
This while ensuring compliance with EU legislation, data security, and ethical use of AI.
Practical information
- Application period: 28 October 2025 - 31 March 2026
- Budget: €15 million
- Expected number of projects funded: 4
- Estimated project duration: 3 years
The intended potential applicants for breakout room 1 are anyone working as a cyber hub manager, technology provider, research or academic, cybersecurity entity, NIS 2 directive entity, and other relevant stakeholders who support the deployment of cyber-secure AI solutions and end-users.
Objective of this topic: the objective is to provide innovative tools and services that improve cybersecurity compliance, incident reporting, recovery and resilience for SMEs, and support EU security processes and certifications.
Practical information
- Application period: 28 October 2025 - 31 March 2026
- Budget: € 15 million
- Expected number of projects funded: 5
- Estimated project duration: 3 years
- Grant type: SME support action (75% funding rate for SMEs)
Breakout room 2 is more focused on SMEs. But other applicants, such as private and public entities implementing the NIS 2 Directive, Cyber Resilience Act, research and academic institutions, and end-users, may also be eligible.
Objective of this topic: the focus is on supporting coordinated cybersecurity preparedness testing for highly critical sectors - in particular healthcare (hospitals) and digital infrastructure (fixed networks and submarine cables) - to assess vulnerabilities, carry out risk and threat analyses, and increase resilience through penetration testing and cyber exercises.
Practical information
- Application period: 28 October 2025 - 31 March 2026
- Budget: € 5 million
- Expected number of projects funded: 6
- Estimated project duration: 3 years
For breakout room 3 we look forward to the participation of government agencies acting as competent authorities in the field of cyber security or computer security incident response teams (CSIRTs). Government agencies falling under the NIS 2 Directive, CRA, CSA, CSoA, DORA, etcetera are also welcome.
Please note that the open call topic on regional cable hubs is not included, as it is only open to public authorities, agencies or other entities responsible for cable/maritime safety in the Member States.
During the breakout rooms, participants will have the opportunity to pitch for joining existing or future consortia for EU funding under Digital Europe Programme.
Registration
Please register using our online registration form.
Companies outside the European Union cannot apply for this webinar and are therefore strongly dicouraged from attending (due to security restrictions under Article 12(5) of the Digital Europe Regulation (see points 6 and 10 and Annex 2).
During the registration process, you must indicate which breakout room you wish to join and whether you have a pitch. As a pitcher you can choose to pitch your own project idea or propose your organisation to join existing or future consortia. A pitch template will be provided to assist you in this process.
Questions?
Do you have any questions about this event? Then please contact us via ncc-nl@rvo.nl.
Organisers
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy

