EU invests € 1.7 billion in digital innovation

For whom?

The Digital Europe Programme targets businesses, research institutions, and public sector organisations involved in developing and deploying digital technologies and services.

Main work programme

With a budget of € 1.3 billion, the main work programme focuses on:

• Boosting international cooperation through partnerships such as  Europese Digitale Infrastructuur Consortiums (EDICs), focusing on generative AI, virtual worlds, and energy-efficient data ecosystems.
• Strengthening the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in sectors such as healthcare and public services, supported by testing environments, implementation of the AI Act, and initiatives like Destination Earth.
• Enhancing cybersecurity across the EU, including the EU Cybersecurity Reserve and protection of Europe’s digital infrastructure.
• Promoting digital skills and training in emerging technologies such as AI and quantum, building an inclusive and future-proof talent pool.
• Developing secure and efficient digital public services, with an emphasis on cross-border collaboration and the rollout of the EU Digital Identity Wallet.

Cybersecurity work programme 

With a budget of € 390 million, the cybersecurity work programme supports:

• Development and implementation of AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, including generative AI and trustworthy, secure AI models.
• Support for SMEs in adopting cybersecurity solutions and improving market readiness.
• Preparing for the transition from public key infrastructure to post-quantum encryption, including building a European test infrastructure.
• Supporting the implementation of EU legislation, such as the NIS2-richtlijn, the Cyber Resilience Act and the Cybersecurity Act.
• Securing critical infrastructures like hospitals and undersea cables.
• Enhancing cybersecurity capacities and skills of organisations and individuals, and increasing awareness for cybersecurity.

Additional national funding

Through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy provides additional national co-funding for topics not fully financed by the European programme. This co-funding allows you, as a participant based in the Netherlands, to cover a larger share of your project costs. We expect to announce the topics eligible for national co-funding at the beginning of May via our website.

When to apply?

You can apply from 3 April 2025 for the first call ('Consolidation of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs'). The remaining topics in the first round of calls will open on 15 April 2025.