Digital Europe Programme: Funding for AI, Cybersecurity & Digital Skills

The Digital Europe Programme (DEP) is the EU’s dedicated funding instrument for building and strengthening Europe’s strategic digital capacities. With a total budget of EUR 7.5 billion for 2021-2027, the programme targets five key areas: supercomputing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced digital skills, and ensuring the wide deployment of digital technologies across the economy and society. For organisations working at the forefront of digital transformation, DEP represents a significant and often underutilised funding opportunity.

What Makes Digital Europe Different

While Horizon Europe funds digital research and innovation at the frontier of knowledge, the Digital Europe Programme focuses on deployment, capacity building, and the uptake of existing and emerging digital technologies. DEP bridges the gap between research results and market adoption by funding the infrastructure, skills, and systems needed to bring digital innovation into practice.

This distinction is important for applicants: DEP proposals should demonstrate how digital technologies will be deployed, scaled, or made accessible — not how they will be invented. The programme operates at technology readiness levels 7 to 9, focusing on solutions that are close to or already at market maturity.

The Five Strategic Objectives

1. Supercomputing and Data Processing

DEP invests in world-class supercomputing infrastructure through the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU). This objective supports the acquisition, deployment, and operation of supercomputers that serve European research, industry, and the public sector.

Who benefits: Research institutions, data-intensive industries, public administrations, and SMEs that need access to high-performance computing resources for simulations, data analytics, or AI model training.

What is funded: Access to supercomputing facilities, development of next-generation computing architectures, and programmes that help a wider range of users take advantage of HPC capabilities.

2. Artificial Intelligence

The AI objective aims to strengthen Europe’s capacity in trustworthy artificial intelligence. DEP funds the development and deployment of AI solutions that can be used across sectors, with emphasis on accessibility for SMEs and public sector organisations.

Key funding areas:

• AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs): Sector-specific facilities where AI developers can test their solutions in real-world conditions before bringing them to market. TEFs are operational in healthcare, agriculture and food, manufacturing, and smart cities
• AI-on-demand platform: A shared European platform providing access to AI tools, algorithms, datasets, and computing resources
• AI deployment projects: Calls for proposals that fund organisations deploying AI solutions in specific sectors such as public administration, healthcare, and mobility

Who should apply: AI developers, integrators, and end-user organisations looking to adopt AI solutions. Both SMEs and larger organisations are eligible, and many calls specifically encourage SME participation.

3. Cybersecurity

The cybersecurity objective supports the development and deployment of cybersecurity tools, infrastructure, and expertise across Europe. It operates in close coordination with the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) in Bucharest and the network of National Coordination Centres.

Key funding areas:

• Cybersecurity technologies: Development and deployment of advanced cybersecurity solutions including encryption, threat detection, and secure communication
• National and cross-border Security Operations Centres (SOCs): Platforms that monitor, detect, and respond to cybersecurity threats in real time
• Cybersecurity for SMEs: Dedicated support to help smaller companies assess and strengthen their cybersecurity posture
• Certification and standards: Activities supporting the implementation of the EU Cybersecurity Act and the development of certification schemes

Who should apply: Cybersecurity companies, operators of essential services, national authorities, and SMEs seeking to strengthen their digital security.

4. Advanced Digital Skills

Closing the digital skills gap is essential for Europe’s competitiveness. DEP funds specialised training programmes that develop advanced skills in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, and quantum computing.

Key funding areas:

• Specialised education programmes: Master’s degrees, short courses, and intensive training programmes in key digital technology areas
• Digital skills for the workforce: Training initiatives that upskill employees in sectors undergoing digital transformation
• Job placements and traineeships: Opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience in digital technology companies and organisations
• Digital skills assessments: Tools and frameworks that help organisations identify skills gaps and plan workforce development

Who should apply: Higher education institutions, vocational training providers, industry associations, and companies willing to host trainees. Public administrations seeking to develop their digital workforce can also participate.

5. Deployment and Best Use of Digital Technologies

The fifth objective ensures that the capabilities built under the other four objectives reach a wide range of beneficiaries across Europe. The most prominent mechanism under this objective is the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs.

European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs):

EDIHs serve as one-stop-shops for organisations — particularly SMEs and public sector bodies — seeking to improve their digital maturity. Each hub provides a combination of:

• Testing before investing: Access to digital technology facilities and expertise for experimentation
• Training and skills development: Workshops, courses, and mentoring on digital technologies
• Access to finance: Guidance on available funding, investment readiness support, and connections to investors
• Innovation ecosystem connections: Networking with technology providers, research institutions, and other innovators

There are currently more than 200 EDIHs operational across Europe, each with specific thematic and sectoral specialisations. SMEs can access their services free of charge or at subsidised rates.

How to Apply for Digital Europe Programme Funding

Where to Find Calls

All DEP calls for proposals are published on the European Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal. Calls are organised by work programme and specify the thematic focus, budget, eligibility criteria, and deadlines.

Eligibility

DEP is generally open to legal entities established in EU Member States and countries associated with the programme (including EEA countries, and in some cases, Ukraine, Tunisia, and others as specified in each call). Depending on the call, eligible entities include companies, research institutions, public bodies, NGOs, and international organisations.

For certain cybersecurity and sensitive technology calls, additional restrictions may apply to ensure that EU strategic interests are protected.

Proposal Structure

DEP proposals typically follow a streamlined format that includes:

• Excellence: Description of the proposed activities, the digital technologies involved, and the objectives to be achieved
• Impact: Expected outcomes, deployment plans, target beneficiaries, and contribution to the Digital Decade objectives
• Implementation: Work plan, timeline, resource allocation, and management approach

Proposals are evaluated by independent experts and scored against these criteria. The specific weight given to each criterion may vary by call.

Funding Rates

DEP typically provides co-funding rates of 50% for most actions, with higher rates (up to 75% or 100%) available for specific activities such as cybersecurity capacity building, coordination and support actions, or actions involving public administrations.

Practical Tips for Applicants

Align with the Digital Decade

The EU’s Digital Decade policy programme sets concrete targets for 2030 in digital skills, digital infrastructure, digitalisation of businesses, and digitalisation of public services. Proposals that clearly contribute to these targets are more competitive.

Connect with Your Local EDIH

If you are an SME or public sector organisation, your nearest European Digital Innovation Hub can provide advice on relevant calls, help you test digital solutions, and connect you with potential project partners.

Emphasise Deployment Over Research

Remember that DEP is about deploying and scaling digital technologies, not about fundamental research. Proposals should focus on practical implementation, user adoption, and measurable impact.

Build the Right Consortium

Many DEP calls require consortia with complementary expertise. A typical successful partnership combines technology providers with end-user organisations, ensuring that solutions are developed with practical deployment in mind.

Monitor the Work Programme

DEP publishes multi-annual work programmes that outline upcoming call topics and budgets. Monitoring these programmes allows organisations to prepare well in advance and engage potential partners early.

How Nexus Grant Solutions Can Help

The Digital Europe Programme presents valuable opportunities for organisations driving digital transformation across Europe, but its specific focus on deployment and capacity building requires a tailored approach to proposal writing. At Nexus Grant Solutions, we help technology companies, public administrations, and innovation ecosystems develop winning DEP proposals — from call analysis and consortium building through to submission and project launch. Contact us to explore how Digital Europe Programme funding can accelerate your digital ambitions.