EU grant for Digital Europe Projects

Great opportunity for EU grant in various digital areas for development, go to market, testing and training activities. The grant is 50-100% of project cost.

The Digital Europe Programme calls  are open until 17 May 2022, with the evaluation process in June/July. Projects are expected to start from December 2022 onwards.

The calls are open to SMEs, corporation, the research community and public authorities.  A project must have at least 3 or 4 participants from different EU Member States.

The programme objective is to bridge the gap between digital technology research and market deployment. These calls differ from the typical Research and innovation actions (RIA), Innovation actions (IA) in that they target market implementation of a specific service, rather than the R&D stage alone.

Investment under the Digital Europe Programme supports the European Union’s twin objectives of a green transition and digital transformation while strengthening the Union’s resilience and digital sovereignty.

Below more information on the individual calls suitable for SME and Corporate participation.

For more detailed information on the call, you can contact us directly. We will gladly help you further!
Roumiana Atanassova, roumiana.atanassova@grannenfeltfinance.fi, tel.  +358 40 6815 068

I. Accelerating best use of technologies

1.1.  Blockchain Standardisation

The aim is to enable European stakeholders involved in the development of open technical specifications and standards to benefit from the work of the European Blockchain Infrastructure (EBSI).

Eligible applicants: The consortium should include a combination of different stakeholders needed to contribute to blockchain standardization activities. In particular, authorities of the Member States (at different levels); Public and private associations / service providers working with blockchain standardization; Organizations with experience in blockchain standardization activities; Participants in European research and innovation programs, ie. Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, etc.

1.2.  EBSI – Deployment of services 

European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI support) blockchain standardization activities support to meet legal, technical, and organisational challenges, including security and data protection considerations and future standardisation needs. Support also for the further development of the EBSI eco-system.

Eligible applicants: The consortium must include at least 3 legal entities from 3 different Member States - authorities (at different levels); public and private associations / service providers working with blockchain standardization; blockchain node operators, etc.

1.3.  Support to the implementation of the European Digital Identity Framework and the implementation of the Once Only System under the Single Digital Gateway Regulation

The aim is to create large-scale pilot projects demonstrating the functionality of the wallet in a national and cross-border context, which may be focused on: mobile driver's licenses, payments, e-health, education / vocational training, etc.

Eligible applicants: Member State authorities (at different levels); public and private associations / service providers working with blockchain standardization; blockchain node operators, etc.

1.4.  Security (law enforcement): AI-based pilot

The overall objective is to enable final validation and to promote the uptake of artificial intelligence systems for law enforcement through large-scale pilot projects in law enforcement agencies.

Eligible applicants: The consortium must consist of at least 2 law enforcement agencies, which can be supported by public or private entities from eligible countries, especially on technical aspects (for example, to install, configure, possibly develop solutions or create datasets), legal aspects or to provide training. Relevant associations in the field, such as EACTDA (European Association for the Development of Technologies to Combat Cybercrime), ECTEG (European Cybercrime Training and Education Group) or ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes), could also play a role in projects for example to coordinate with existing activities or to promote the dissemination of project results. The participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is strongly encouraged.

 II. Digital Training

2.1. Short term training courses in key capacity areas

Funding for closer collaboration in the digital education sector involving European EdTech start-ups/SMEs and other relevant stakeholders, fostering the exchange of good practices at pan-European level, aiming at increased capacities of the national education systems and at distance, innovative, effective and inclusive learning. Support for implementation of the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 and in full synergy with, and complementarity to, the objective of setting up a European Digital Education Hub and in line with the European Education Area framework.

Grants will be for developing guidelines aiming at fostering a wider European EdTech industry for the development of digital education content, solutions and tools, in light of technological needs (connectivity, platforms, interoperability, standardisation, security and privacy issues, use of emerging technologies such as AI or data) as well as pedagogical, societal and ethical aspects, based on relevant scientific evidence and in consultation with European Education area stakeholders.

Short-term training courses in key areas such as AI, cybersecurity, cloud technology and microelectronics.

Eligible applicants: The consortium must consist of a minimum of 6 independent legal entities from 3 different Member States.

 III.  Advanced Digital Skills

3.1. Promoting European innovation in education

Funding for closer collaboration in the digital education sector involving European EdTech start-ups/SMEs and other relevant stakeholders, fostering the exchange of good practices at pan-European level, aiming at increased capacities of the national education systems and at distance, innovative, effective, and inclusive learning. Support for implementation of the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 and in full synergy with, and complementarity to, the objective of setting up a European Digital Education Hub and in line with the European Education Area framework.

Grants will be for developing guidelines aiming at fostering a wider European EdTech industry for the development of digital education content, solutions, and tools, in light of technological needs (connectivity, platforms, interoperability, standardisation, security and privacy issues, use of emerging technologies such as AI or data) as well as pedagogical, societal and ethical aspects, based on relevant scientific evidence and in consultation with European Education area stakeholders.

Eligible applicants: The consortium must consist of at least 3 different legal entities from 3 countries and may include public organizations, educational institutions (including higher education), industry (including SMEs), research centers, non-governmental organizations and others.

IV.  Cybersecurity and Trust

4.1. Support to cybersecurity in the health sector

The aim is to support the sustainability of cybersecurity in healthcare and healthcare institutions, which have been under particular stress in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 crisis, in order to reduce the damage from critical cybersecurity incidents affecting hospitals and providers. health care.

Budget for project : EUR 3 million, project duration up to 24 months.

Eligible applicants: There are no specific requirements for the consortium.

V. Data for Cultural Heritage

5.1.  Data space for cultural heritage (deployment)  

The aim is to focus on using the potential of modern technologies for digital transformation of the cultural heritage sector (such as 3D, artificial intelligence, or machine learning) to increase the quality, sustainability, use and reuse of data. Projects must contribute to the common European cultural heritage data area and build digital capacity by collaborating with existing and relevant European national and regional initiatives and platforms.

Budget for project: EUR 1-1.5 million.

Eligible applicants: The consortium must consist of at least 3 legal entities from 3 different countries. The participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is strongly encouraged.