Digital Europe Programme 2026: EU Funding for AI, Cloud and Cybersecurity Projects

The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is the EU's dedicated instrument for deploying and scaling advanced digital technologies across the European economy and society. With a total budget of €7.6 billion for 2021–2027, it funds not research and development (that is Horizon Europe's mandate) but deployment, capacity building, and wide-scale adoption of technologies that have already been proven at technical readiness level.

What Digital Europe Funds

DIGITAL is structured around five strategic objectives:

• —Supercomputing and Quantum Computing: Supporting European High-Performance Computing (EuroHPC) and quantum communication infrastructure.
• —Artificial Intelligence: Deploying AI testing and experimentation facilities, European AI-on-demand platforms, and supporting uptake of AI in sectors including healthcare, agriculture and public administration.
• —Cybersecurity: Strengthening the EU's cybersecurity infrastructure — the ENISA coordination, national CERTs, and deployment of advanced security tools in critical infrastructure.
• —Digital Skills: Funding advanced digital skills training for professionals, and foundational digital skills programmes for the broader workforce.
• —Deployment and Best Use of Digital Capacities: Supporting digital transformation in government (interoperability, digital public services) and the economy (SME digitalisation, European Digital Innovation Hubs — EDIHs).

Who Can Apply?

Unlike Horizon Europe, DIGITAL primarily targets deployment rather than research, which significantly affects who can participate. Eligible applicants include:

• —Public administrations and government bodies at national, regional and local level
• —European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) — designated hub organisations in the EU network
• —Universities, research organisations and competence centres in AI, HPC and cybersecurity
• —Businesses — particularly SMEs seeking to adopt AI, cloud and advanced digital tools
• —Consortia of public and private entities for pan-European deployment projects
• —Non-profit organisations working in digital skills and inclusion

European Digital Innovation Hubs: The Most Accessible DIGITAL Entry Point for SMEs

For SMEs and mid-caps, the most accessible route into the Digital Europe ecosystem is through European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). Each Member State has a network of EDIHs that provide: test-before-invest services for AI, cloud and cybersecurity; technology consultation and training; access to digital expertise and testing facilities; support for finding funding and financing for digitalisation. SMEs do not apply directly for DIGITAL grants — they access EDIH services, which are funded by DIGITAL and delivered at no or low cost to the SME.

2026 Open Calls: Key Opportunities

• —AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs): Open to organisations operating sector-specific AI testing environments (healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, smart cities). Typically require dedicated infrastructure and governance capacity.
• —Cybersecurity — Deployment in Critical Sectors: Supporting deployment of advanced cybersecurity tools in energy, transport, financial services and healthcare. Lead applicants are typically national competent authorities or infrastructure operators.
• —Digital Skills — Advanced Skills Programmes: Funding advanced training in AI, data science, cloud and cybersecurity for professionals. Universities, training providers and professional associations are primary applicants.
• —Interoperability of Digital Public Services: Supporting deployment of cross-border digital services under the European Interoperability Framework. Primarily for national and regional public administrations.

How to Position Your Application

• —For AI calls: Demonstrate existing technical maturity — DIGITAL funds deployment, not development. Your AI system should be at TRL 7–9.
• —For cybersecurity calls: Show alignment with NIS2 Directive requirements and national cybersecurity strategy.
• —For digital skills calls: Evidence of curriculum quality, trainer expertise, and scalable delivery model.
• —For EDIH operations: Clear territorial coverage, absence of overlap with existing EDIHs, and a strong governance model.