Digital Europe Programme

The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is the EU’s flagship funding initiative designed to accelerate Europe’s digital transformation. Running from 2021 to 2027 with a budget of around €7.9 billion, it focuses on bringing digital technologies to businesses, citizens, and public administrations. Individual projects can avail a funding of €500,000 to €2 million, with bigger projects eligible for €10 million. Unlike research programmes such as Horizon Europe, DIGITAL is dedicated to deployment—supporting projects that can quickly deliver real-world solutions.

Key Dates

The programme runs until 2027, with regular calls for proposals across its thematic areas.
Calls are typically published annually, with varying deadlines depending on the priority area.

Eligibility

The programme is open to:

Businesses of all sizes developing or deploying digital solutions.
Public sector bodies, including national, regional, and local authorities.
Research and technology organisations and universities.
Consortia combining industry, academia, and public bodies across EU member states and associated countries.

Projects must demonstrate European added value, meaning outcomes must benefit multiple countries and help strengthen the EU’s collective digital capabilities.

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Scope

Funding is targeted at five key areas:

High-Performance Computing (HPC): Building Europe’s next-generation supercomputing infrastructure.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Developing and deploying trustworthy AI across sectors.
Cybersecurity: Strengthening resilience and protecting critical digital infrastructure.
Advanced Digital Skills: Training professionals and ensuring SMEs can access digital talent.
Digital Transformation of Public Services & Businesses: Enabling cross-border solutions, data spaces, and innovation for SMEs.

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Funding

Funding Rates: Typically cover 50% to 100% of eligible costs, depending on the activity and type of organisation.
Project Sizes: Range from €500,000 to over €2 million and €10 million for large-scale flagship initiatives also supported.
Co-funding is often required for industry participants, while public bodies and not-for-profits may qualify for higher funding rates.

Application Process

Identify the right call: Each year, the EU publishes new calls under the programme’s five focus areas.
Form a consortium: Many calls require cross-border collaboration, so building the right partnership is critical.
Prepare a proposal: Proposals must clearly show how your project addresses the call’s objectives, the technology’s readiness for deployment, and its European added value.
Submit via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: Applications are peer-reviewed, with results published after evaluation.

How Inventya Can Help

At Inventya, we help businesses and organisations navigate the complexity of European funding. With the Digital Europe Programme, our support includes:

Opportunity mapping: Identifying the most relevant DIGITAL calls for your project.
Consortium building: Connecting you with suitable partners across Europe to strengthen your application.
Proposal development: Crafting compelling submissions that align with EU priorities, from AI and cybersecurity to advanced digital skills.
Funding strategy: Advising on co-funding requirements and structuring your project finances.
Full-cycle support: Guiding you from call selection and bid writing through to submission and post-award compliance.

With Inventya’s expertise, your organisation can confidently seize opportunities within the Digital Europe Programme and play a leading role in shaping Europe’s digital future.

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Digital Europe Programme

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