Digital Europe Programme: Call for proposals to establish a specialized environment dedicated to nurturing and accelerating the growth of European EdTech startups and SMEs

Digital Europe Programme: Call for proposals to establish a specialized environment dedicated to nurturing and accelerating the growth of European EdTech startups and SMEs is sponsored by European Commission (Digital Europe Programme). This call aims to establish an EdTech accelerator program to support innovative educational concepts and transform them into market-ready products.

The program will benefit at least three cohorts of startups/SMEs, focusing on solutions that align with European values regarding ethics, inclusion, and pedagogical integrity, and contribute to the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027) and the GENAI4EU initiative. Special emphasis will be placed on accelerating innovative solutions using advanced technologies (e.g., AI, XR), including feedback and assessment tools.

Digital Europe Programme - EU Grants Funding Digital Europe Programme: call for experts May 26, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; AI Grants , Digital technologies grants , Education grants , Health Grants , ICT grants Call for applications for independent experts to evaluate project proposals and monitor contracts under the Digital Europe Programme.

This funding initiative focuses on building the European Union’s strategic digital capacities and facilitating the widespread deployment of advanced digital technologies. To qualify, candidates must possess professional experience and knowledge in specialized areas such as ICT systems, cybersecurity, digital health, semiconductors, EdTech, or digital skills development.

Selected experts will act in an individual capacity to assess funding applications, monitor active EU-funded projects, and provide advisory support on specific technical and financial issues.

Call for proposals to support the development and acceleration of EdTech solutions through financial aid, incubation programs, and real-world piloting April 29, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Education grants , Innovation grants Call for proposals to establish a specialized environment dedicated to nurturing and accelerating the growth of European EdTech startups and SMEs. With a total budget of EUR 2.

7 million, this initiative aims to help businesses transform innovative educational concepts into market-ready products that align with European values regarding ethics, inclusion, and pedagogical integrity.

The program is designed to contribute to the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027) and the GENAI4EU initiative by supporting the ethical application of technologies like generative AI and extended reality in learning environments. A single award of up to EUR 2. 7 million is available for a project with an indicative duration of 36 months.

The winning consortium will manage an accelerator program benefiting at least three cohorts of startups through a structured four-stage process: Selection: Identifying promising solutions through open calls, with at least 60% of the total budget reserved for financial support to third parties (up to EUR 150,000 per startup); Acceleration: Providing mentoring, coaching, and expert clinics to validate educational logic and ensure compliance with GDPR and AI ethics; Piloting: Testing solutions in real-world educational settings to gather quantitative and qualitative data on learning impact and usability; Post-Piloting: Assisting companies in refining their go-to-market strategies and connecting them with investors and procurement programs.

Call for proposals to establish a common research framework with the necessary infrastructure to enable advanced research and analysis on information integrity within the EU April 29, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants , Research grants Call for proposals to establish a common research framework and the necessary infrastructure to advance the study of information integrity across the EU.

This initiative aims to create a visible and recognized impact by scaling and accelerating analytical efforts through the deployment of both hardware and software capacities. The project is designed to support the “Democracy Shield” by overcoming technical hurdles and providing researchers and civil society with the tools needed to analyze information manipulation effectively.

The total funding available for this call is EUR 6,000,000, with a single project expected to span a timeline of 24 to 30 months.

The awarded consortium will be responsible for several critical work strands: Infrastructure & Tools: Securing or setting up the computational capacity and dedicated analytical tools required for high-level research; Data Access & Policy: Contributing to the Digital Services Act (DSA) data access regime by representing the research community’s needs regarding platform APIs and documenting best practices; Accessibility: Implementing transparent mechanisms to ensure that developed solutions and data remain accessible to the wider research community and civil society.

Call for proposals to build capacity for deploying digital health services and systems, support the reuse of health data under the European Health Data Space (EHDS), and provide training for service providers to meet EHDS requirements April 29, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants Call for proposals to facilitate the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) Regulation.

This call aims to reinforce the rights of citizens to access and control their electronic health data while fostering an interconnected healthcare ecosystem across the EU. The project will focus on building technical and operational capacity for the primary use of health data—ensuring cross-border continuity of care—and the secondary use of data for research and policy-making, aligned with the 2030 Digital Decade targets.

The project will utilize a “cascading funding” model, where the awarded consortium manages a portfolio of individual grants (up to EUR 120,000 each) to support third parties such as hospitals, clinics, and SMEs.

The initiative is divided into three distinct objectives to be executed through specialized work strands: Work Strand 1 (Primary Use): Provides guidance and financial support to public authorities and healthcare providers to deploy or upgrade digital health systems.

This includes adopting the European Electronic Health Record Exchange Format (EEHRxF) and training staff to uphold patient rights like data portability and access; Work Strand 2 (Secondary Use): Focuses on developing a “toolbox” for health data holders.

It supports the creation of dataset descriptions and data quality labels, ensuring that health data is discoverable and accessible through the catalogues of Health Data Access Bodies (HDABs); Work Strand 3 (Service Provider Training): Establishes a training framework specifically for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

This prepares service providers to assist healthcare facilities in technical data conversion and meeting the complex legal and technical requirements of the EHDS.

Call for proposals to support the development and piloting of scalable cloud-based AI/GenAI systems for medical image screening in healthcare settings April 29, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; AI Grants , Digital technologies grants Call for proposals to implement scalable, cloud-based AI and Generative AI (GenAI) systems designed to enhance medical screening within the EU.

This initiative focuses on deploying trustworthy European algorithms—trained and validated on massive patient datasets—specifically targeting cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The goal is to integrate these advanced tools into regular clinical workflows to improve early detection, optimize radiology resources, and support underserved regions through high-quality remote screening.

The total funding available is EUR 9,000,000, with individual project awards reaching up to EUR 4,500,000. Successful projects must develop a secure, privacy-preserving cloud environment that is fully interoperable with existing health IT infrastructure, such as Electronic Health Records (EHR), PACS, and RIS.

The pilots must emphasize: Large-Scale Validation: Testing AI systems over a vast number of patient cases in real-world healthcare settings to generate evidence on performance and usability; Human-in-the-Loop: Ensuring that AI results are systematically validated by qualified medical professionals to maintain patient safety and build institutional trust; Regulatory Compliance: Aligning all systems with the EU AI Act, cybersecurity frameworks, and data protection rules, while preparing documentation for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and regulatory approval.

Call for proposals to support projects that streamline regulatory compliance reporting April 29, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants Call for proposals aimed at streamlining regulatory reporting through the automated and trusted sharing of compliance data. With a total budget of EUR 8.

5 million, this initiative seeks to fund projects that leverage advanced technologies—such as machine learning, privacy-preserving tools, and the European Digital Identity Wallet—to reduce administrative burdens in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and energy.

The program focuses on developing open-source, interoperable solutions that automate the transmission and analysis of data while ensuring robust security and regulatory alignment. To be eligible, proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least three independent entities from different eligible countries, with individual grant awards ranging from EUR 2 million to EUR 5 million for a duration of 24 months.

Successful projects are expected to deliver realistic use-case demonstrations and a comprehensive legal analysis of administrative challenges, ultimately fostering a more transparent and efficient compliance ecosystem within the EU.

Call for proposals to establish an EDIC Support Hub to provide comprehensive legal, operational, and strategic support to EDICs, strengthen governance and compliance, improve accessibility of information, and support the creation of new EDIC initiatives April 29, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants Call for proposals to establish an EDIC Support Hub, a centralized initiative designed to consolidate and strengthen the European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) ecosystem.

The Hub’s primary mission is to ensure the long-term sustainability of EDICs by providing comprehensive legal, operational, and coordination support to the consortia, Member States, and the Commission. By acting as a strategic pillar for the Digital Decade Policy Programme, the Hub will help create a steady pipeline of new digital initiatives while fostering a resilient ecosystem aligned with EU policy objectives.

The Commission has allocated a total budget of EUR 1,000,000 for this 36-month project. While there is no specific limit on the award range for the single selected proposal, the timeline is fixed at three years, with extensions only possible under duly justified circumstances. The Support Hub will function as both a service provider and a knowledge center.

Its core activities and expected deliverables include: Legal and Operational Advisory: Providing specialized advice on compliance with EU and national legislation and maintaining a repository of legal best practices; Data and Knowledge Management: Creating a consolidated information repository and a community of practice to facilitate knowledge sharing, expertise building, and shared understanding across the ecosystem; Strategic Growth: Working with Member States to identify new EDIC initiatives and generating evidence-based data to inform the future strategic development of the ecosystem; Coordination and Outreach: Organizing an Annual EDIC Gathering and producing an Annual Impact Report designed to feed directly into the European Commission’s State of the Digital Decade Report.

Call for proposals to optimize Dissemination and Exploitation (D&E) frameworks for the Digital Europe Programme by supporting projects with advisory services, creating a taxonomy of adopters, and enhancing the uptake of results through targeted activities April 28, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants Call for proposals aimed at entities with proven experience in Dissemination and Exploitation (D&E) within the Information and Communication Technologies sector.

The primary objective of this initiative is to maximize the impact of the Digital Europe Programme by establishing a robust operational framework and implementing practical actions that facilitate the uptake of project results.

As the programme enters a pivotal phase where many initiatives are delivering tangible outcomes, this action seeks to amplify overall impact through targeted dissemination, strategic stakeholder engagement, and the use of innovative tools. The selected action will span a 36-month duration with a total available budget of EUR 1,800,000.

Applicants must be legal entities established in eligible countries and are expected to address several key dimensions, including: Strategic Alignment: Ensuring D&E activities align with the programme’s Specific Objectives and security requirements, such as strategic autonomy and the protection of EU interests; Coordination: Facilitating synergy between various EU funding instruments, national programmes, and implementing bodies like HaDEA and various Joint Undertakings; Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying distinct types of adopters and creating a taxonomy to address their specific needs and interests.

Call for proposals to ensure comprehensive geographical coverage of the Network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs) in the EU April 28, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants , Education grants Call for proposals to expand and sustain the network of national Safer Internet Centres (SICs) across the EU. This initiative is a core component of the EU’s strategy to protect and empower children in the digital age.

The call specifically targets centres that did not receive funding in the previous 2025 cycle, with the goal of ensuring comprehensive geographical coverage. These centres act as “one-stop-shops,” providing essential resources, training, and reporting tools to help minors navigate online risks while fostering digital literacy and resilience.

The Commission has allocated a total of EUR 10,000,000 for this action, with a project timeline of up to 18 months.

To ensure equitable distribution based on national needs, the award range is categorized by population size: Large Countries (>20M population): Up to EUR 1,175,000 per project; Medium Countries (6M–20M population): Up to EUR 750,000 per project; Small Countries ( Call for proposals to expand education and training in Artificial Intelligence for health professionals and tech specialists April 28, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Education grants , Health Grants Call for proposals to bridge the gap in advanced digital skills by expanding interdisciplinary education and training in Artificial Intelligence within the healthcare sector.

With a total budget of EUR 7. 8 million, the program seeks to fund projects that jointly design training curricula involving higher education institutions, research organizations, and industry partners. These actions are designed to support the deployment of strategic technologies while aligning with the Apply AI Strategy and the European Health Data Space.

Selected projects are required to collaborate with the European network of AI-powered advanced screening centres and make training materials available in English and other relevant EU languages. Applicants must develop a dynamic training catalogue, establish a landing page on the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform, and foster synergies with existing infrastructures such as HealthData@EU and Cancer Image Europe.

Ultimately, the call aims to deliver high-level training programs that adapt to the evolving technical needs of the European health workforce.

Call for applications to consolidate and expand the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform, connect National Coalitions for Digital Skills and Jobs to the Core Platform, and support the creation of new coalition websites in Member States April 23, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants , Education grants Call for proposals to strengthen the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform (DSJP) and its network of National Coalitions.

With a total budget of EUR 2,000,000, the initiative focuses on the corrective and adaptive maintenance of the core platform while expanding the digital infrastructure of National Coalitions across Member States. The project is expected to run for a duration of 24 to 36 months, aiming to increase community engagement and foster synergies with related initiatives like the EIT Campus and the Deep Tech Talent Initiative.

Selected beneficiaries are required to execute a comprehensive work plan focused on three primary pillars: Web Development: This includes creating new national “web antennas” for countries lacking a presence and upgrading existing sites to ensure full interoperability and security updates; Content and Community: Coalitions must manage repositories of good practices, training resources, and news, while hosting webinars and promoting EU-wide initiatives like DigComp 3.

0; Localization: National hubs are responsible for the bidirectional translation and post-editing of content between English and local languages to ensure information is accessible and relevant to regional stakeholders.

Call for proposals to establish cross-border cyber hubs January 07, 2026; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants Call for proposals to establish Cross-Border Cyber Hubs designed to strengthen the EU’s collective situational awareness and detection capabilities. These hubs will focus on pooling large-scale datasets and Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) to develop advanced data analytics and response tools.

Beyond standard cyber defense, the scope includes the adoption of automated sharing tools and the potential monitoring of critical undersea infrastructure, such as submarine cables. The initiative aims to create a network of world-class hubs equipped with secure infrastructures to facilitate the large-scale dissemination of threat information.

These platforms are expected to cooperate closely with the CSIRTs Network and EU-CyCLONe to ensure that early warnings and critical incident data are shared with Member State authorities without delay. Ultimately, the program seeks to improve the resilience of essential services and critical infrastructure across the Union.

The total available budget is EUR 2,000,000, with individual projects typically ranging between 1 and 2 million EUR over a 36-month duration. Call for proposals to fund the creation and strengthening of National Cyber Hubs across the European Union December 29, 2025; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants Call for proposals to establish or enhance National Cyber Hubs across Member States.

These hubs serve as central reference points for detecting, aggregating, and analyzing cyber threats, with a primary focus on preventing incidents and protecting critical infrastructure. The initiative emphasizes the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies, including artificial intelligence and automated threat intelligence feeds, to ensure proactive management of the evolving cyber landscape.

With a total available budget of €2,000,000 and individual awards of approximately €1,000,000, the funding supports two integrated workstreams: a joint procurement action for essential infrastructure and a grant for operational costs.

Completion of the initial Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs November 18, 2025; Digital Europe Programme Grants ; Digital technologies grants , Innovation grants This call for proposals aims to complete the existing network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) by including entities from associated countries, specifically Switzerland, that have not yet established an EDIH.

This initiative provides between €2,666,666 and €4,000,000 per project to designated preselected candidates to ensure the complete range of EDIH services are offered, with a specific focus on boosting the digital transformation and AI integration needs of local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), mid-caps, and public sector organizations.

Each new EDIH must provide four core services—Test Before Invest, Training and Skill Development, Support for Access to Finance, and Fostering an Innovation Ecosystem—while actively networking across the European EDIH system and ensuring compliance with the AI Act.