Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL)

Updated on 16 July 2026

EU funding for digital transformation, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity

The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is the European Union's flagship funding programme for building strategic digital capacities across Europe. It supports businesses, universities, research organisations and public administrations in deploying, scaling and adopting advanced digital technologies.

Unlike Horizon Europe, which funds research and innovation, the Digital Europe Programme focuses on the market uptake and large-scale deployment of digital technologies. It aims to strengthen Europe's digital competitiveness, technological sovereignty and resilience while accelerating the digital and green transitions.

The programme supports projects in key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, high-performance computing (HPC), cloud and data infrastructures, advanced digital skills and the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs).

Programme at a glance

Part of: European Union Multiannual Financial Framework (2021–2027)
Duration: 2021–2027
Budget: approximately €8.1 billion
Funding authority: European Union / European Commission
Target groups: Companies (especially SMEs), public administrations, universities, research organisations and other eligible organisations
Funding priorities: Artificial Intelligence (AI), High Performance Computing (HPC), Cybersecurity, Advanced Digital Skills and the deployment of digital technologies

Budget

The Digital Europe Programme has a total budget of €7.5 billion under the European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework (2021–2027).

Funding priorities

The programme invests in five strategic areas.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

• Development and deployment of European supercomputing capacities
• Access to HPC infrastructure for research organisations, industry and public authorities
• Applications in healthcare, climate, energy, mobility, manufacturing and other strategic sectors

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data and Cloud

• Deployment of trustworthy AI solutions
• Development of common European data spaces
• Adoption of AI by businesses and public administrations
• Investment in secure cloud and data infrastructures

Cybersecurity

• Strengthening Europe's cybersecurity capabilities
• Development of secure digital infrastructures
• Support for advanced cybersecurity technologies, including quantum communication
• Improved cooperation between EU Member States

Advanced Digital Skills

• Education and training in:
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data science
  • High-performance computing
  • Quantum technologies
• Upskilling and reskilling Europe's digital workforce

Widespread Deployment of Digital Technologies

• Supporting the digital transformation of businesses and public administrations
• Expansion of the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)
• Adoption of digital technologies in sectors such as healthcare, energy, mobility, culture and public services

Benefits for businesses and SMEs

The Digital Europe Programme particularly supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups and public organisations seeking to adopt or scale innovative digital technologies.

Key benefits include:

• Access to European AI and HPC infrastructures
• Use of common European data spaces
• Opportunities to test technologies before investing
• Advisory services on digital transformation, financing and cybersecurity
• Support through the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)

By helping organisations adopt advanced digital technologies, the programme strengthens innovation capacity, competitiveness and long-term resilience.

Calls for proposals

Calls for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme are published regularly. Funding topics, eligibility criteria and submission deadlines vary depending on the individual call.

Current opportunities are available through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Synergies with other EU funding programmes

The Digital Europe Programme complements several other European funding instruments, including:

• Horizon Europe for research and innovation
• Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital) for digital infrastructure
• InvestEU
• EU4Health
• the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
• the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)

While Horizon Europe supports the development of new technologies, the Digital Europe Programme focuses on their deployment and large-scale adoption across Europe.

Further information

• European Commission – Digital Europe Programme
• German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)

BayFOR supports your Digital Europe application

Are you planning to submit a proposal under the Digital Europe Programme?

BayFOR's experts in Information and Communication Technologies | Natural Sciences and Engineering provide guidance throughout the application process. We help you identify suitable funding opportunities, develop competitive project concepts, build international consortia and prepare successful proposals for the Digital Europe Programme.

Get in touch with us to discuss your project idea and explore your funding opportunities.