Unlock funding for Digital Transformation with PNO

Here are the key highlights:

Budget & focus areas

The programme has a total budget of €3.2 billion for 2025-2027, with funding allocated to six key objectives:

• Supercomputing – Expanding Europe’s high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Accelerating AI adoption through AI Factories, Generative AI (GenAI) initiatives, and AI testing and experimentation facilities.
• Cybersecurity – Strengthening the EU’s cyber resilience, including initiatives like the EU Cybersecurity Reserve and the Cyber Resilience Act.
• Advanced Digital Skills – Establishing Digital Skills Academies in AI, Quantum Computing, Virtual Worlds, and Semiconductors.
• Deployment & Best Use of Digital Technologies – Supporting SMEs and public administration digital transformation through European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs).
• Semiconductors – Investing in semiconductor research and Chips Act-related projects.

New opportunities for applicants

The Digital Europe Programme 2025-2027 expands on previous work programmes by introducing new funding streams and large-scale pilot projects:

• AI Factories: Providing AI-dedicated supercomputing services for startups, SMEs, and researchers.
• Digital Europe Academies: Training and upskilling initiatives in key digital sectors, focusing on GenAI, HPC, and AI applications.
• Cybersecurity & Data Protection: Enhanced focus on cyber resilience, secure cloud services, and AI-driven cybersecurity solutions.
• European Digital Identity Wallet: Further deployment and adoption of the EUDI Wallet for secure cross-border transactions.
• Multi-Country Projects (MCPs): Collaborative initiatives across Member States, including agri-food digital transformation, health data spaces, and AI-powered climate resilience tools.

Upcoming calls & Key deadlines

The programme is structured into multiple calls for proposals, with significant funding rounds scheduled for 2025, 2026, and 2027. Some key opportunities include:

• AI Testing & Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) (Second call in 2025)
• Quantum Computing & AI for Public Administration (First calls in 2025)
• Deployment of European Cloud & Edge Services (Fourth call in 2027)
• Cybersecurity Incident Response & Resilience Projects (Ongoing funding from 2025-2027)

Next steps for applicants

To maximize funding opportunities, potential applicants should:

• Monitor Calls for Proposals on the European Commission Funding & Tenders portal.
• Align proposals with EU policy priorities, such as AI, cybersecurity, data spaces, and sustainable digital transformation.
• Engage with Digital Europe stakeholders, including European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) and National Contact Points (NCPs) for guidance.
• Explore co-funding and synergies with Horizon Europe, InvestEU, and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

For more information please visit the official page.