Digital Europe Programme
EU funding programme deploying digital technologies at scale across Europe with grants for supercomputing, AI, cybersecurity, advanced digital skills, and digital transformation.
Overview
The Digital Europe Programme (DEP) is the European Union's dedicated funding programme for deploying critical digital technologies at scale across Europe. With a budget of 7.6 billion euros for 2021-2027, it focuses on five key areas: high-performance computing (supercomputing), artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced digital skills, and wide deployment of digital technologies across society and economy. Unlike Horizon Europe which funds research, Digital Europe funds deployment and large-scale use of existing and near-market digital technologies, particularly in areas of strategic importance for European digital sovereignty.
What You Can Find Here
- High Performance Computing (HPC) access and deployment grants for businesses and public sector using EU supercomputing infrastructure
- AI testing and experimentation facilities (TEFs) - grants to access AI testing environments in specific sectors
- European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) - networks helping businesses and public sector adopt digital technologies
- Cybersecurity grants for security operations centres, threat intelligence, and critical infrastructure protection
- Advanced digital skills grants for specialized training in AI, cybersecurity, high performance computing, and cloud
- Digital transformation grants for public administrations and healthcare systems
- Common European Data Spaces deployment funding in health, mobility, manufacturing, and other sectors
Who Should Use This
- Businesses (SMEs and large companies) seeking access to AI testing environments or digital transformation support
- Public administrations implementing digital government or e-health solutions
- Universities and vocational training organisations delivering advanced digital skills programs
- Cybersecurity companies and national cybersecurity agencies building security operations capabilities
- National and regional innovation agencies applying to operate European Digital Innovation Hubs
- Companies in strategic sectors (health, energy, transport) deploying common European data spaces
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Visit digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/digital-programme to read about the programme
- Step 2: Find open calls on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal - filter by programme "Digital Europe"
- Step 3: Contact your regional European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) for support in assessing eligibility and preparing applications
- Step 4: Register your organisation on the EU Participant Register to obtain a PIC number
- Step 5: Prepare a proposal following the call guidelines - DEP projects are often large-scale consortia or capacity-building initiatives
- Step 6: Submit via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal before the published deadline
Things to Check Before Applying
- Digital Europe funds technology deployment and adoption, not basic R&D - Horizon Europe is the programme for research and innovation
- Many DEP calls target public sector organisations (government ministries, agencies) rather than private companies
- Projects are required to align with EU digital policy priorities such as European data spaces, AI Act compliance, or NIS2 cybersecurity
- Consortium requirements vary by call - some require cross-border partnerships, others are open to single organisations
- Digital Europe grants follow EU public procurement and financial regulation requirements for proper documentation of costs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Digital Europe and Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe funds research and innovation (TRL 1-6). Digital Europe Programme funds deployment and scaling of mature digital technologies (TRL 7-9) for widespread societal and economic use.
What is a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH)?
EDIHs are one-stop-shops that help businesses and public sector organisations go digital. They offer testing before investing, skills development, support in finding finance, and networking. Most services are free or subsidised.
Can SMEs directly apply for Digital Europe grants?
SMEs can apply for some DEP calls directly, but many grants target large consortia or public sector bodies. SMEs are often better served by their local EDIH for supported access to DEP-funded services.
What is the AI testing and experimentation facility?
TEFs are specialised centres where companies can test and validate AI systems in sector-specific environments (manufacturing, health, agriculture, robotics) before market deployment, with access granted through funded projects.
What budget is available for Digital Europe projects?
Individual project budgets vary widely from a few hundred thousand euros for skills programs to tens of millions for major infrastructure deployment projects. Cybersecurity and HPC projects tend to be larger.
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