Digital Europe — ZHC Institute

Description

Digital Europe Programme is the EU's €7.5 billion flagship initiative (2021-2027) focused on deploying digital technologies across Europe. The 2025-2027 Work Programme allocates €50 million specifically for strategic cybersecurity investments, with major calls open through March 2026.

For ZHC builders, Digital Europe offers substantial funding for AI-powered cybersecurity tools, SME security solutions, and digital infrastructure deployment. Unlike Horizon Europe's research focus, Digital Europe emphasizes deployment and adoption of existing technologies with co-funding rates up to 75% for SMEs.

Current Priority Areas (2026):

AI-powered cybersecurity solutions and threat detection
SME cybersecurity capacity building
Post-quantum cryptography deployment
Security Operations Centers (SOCs) enablement
Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) compliance tools
Submarine cable hub security

Eligibility

Priority Funding Areas 2025-2027

1. Cybersecurity & AI (€15M)

AI-powered threat detection and incident response
Automated vulnerability scanning
Security Operations Center (SOC) tools
Cyber threat intelligence platforms

2. SME Cybersecurity Solutions (€15M)

Deployment of proven security tools for SMEs
Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) compliance support
Financial incentives for security tool adoption
Funding rate: 50-75% (higher for SMEs)

3. Critical Infrastructure (€10M)

Coordinated preparedness testing
Cross-border cyber incident simulations
Penetration testing for critical operators

4. Post-Quantum Cryptography

PQC deployment in automotive, finance, energy sectors
Standardization and migration planning

5. High Performance Computing (EuroHPC)

Supercomputing infrastructure
AI and data infrastructure

Eligible Entities

SMEs, startups, and technology providers
Research institutions and universities
Public authorities and government agencies
CSIRTs and National SOCs
Cybersecurity tool developers
Entities implementing NIS2 Directive and CRA

Geographic Requirements

Must be established in EU Member States or associated countries
Project activities must take place in eligible countries
Consortium collaboration encouraged but not always mandatory

ZHC-Specific Fit

✅ Excellent for:

AI-powered cybersecurity startups
SMEs developing security tools and MFA solutions
Threat detection and incident response platforms
CRA compliance automation tools
SOC enabling technologies
Post-quantum cryptography solutions
European data infrastructure projects

✅ Strong match if you're building:

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) systems
AI-based threat intelligence platforms
Automated security testing tools
Cybersecurity capacity building platforms
Quantum-resistant encryption solutions

❌ Poor fit if:

Pure research projects (use Horizon Europe instead)
No European deployment angle
No cybersecurity or digital infrastructure focus
Outside eligible geographic scope

Application Process

Application Process (2026 Calls)

Timeline:

Current calls opened: October 28, 2025
Submission deadline: March 31, 2026, 17:00 CET
Evaluation period: April-June 2026
Grant agreements: July-September 2026

Step 1: Registration (Allow 1-2 weeks)

Create EU Login account at ec.europa.eu
Register organization in Participant Register
Obtain PIC (Participant Identification Code)
Set up multi-factor authentication for portal access

Step 2: Find the Right Call

Browse Digital Europe Work Programme 2025-2027
Review specific call requirements and budgets
Check eligibility criteria for your organization type
Key calls for startups:
- DIGITAL-ECCC-2025-DEPLOY-CYBER-09-CYBERAI (€15M)
- DIGITAL-ECCC-2025-DEPLOY-CYBER-09-UPTAKE (€15M)
- DIGITAL-ECCC-2026-DEPLOY-CYBER-10 (CyberHUBs)

Step 3: Build Consortium (if applicable)

Not always required, but increases success chances
Identify complementary partners across EU countries
Define roles, contributions, and budget allocation
Establish consortium agreement

Step 4: Prepare Proposal

Part A: Administrative data (via online form)
Part B: Technical proposal (downloadable template)
- Project description and methodology
- Work plan with milestones and deliverables
- Budget breakdown by partner and work package
- Impact assessment and KPIs
- Risk analysis and mitigation strategies
- Alignment with EU policies (NIS2, CRA, AI Act, GDPR)

Step 5: Submit via EU Funding & Tenders Portal

Complete both Part A and Part B
Upload all required documents
Submit at least 3 days before deadline (heavy system load near deadline)
Receive confirmation email

Step 6: Evaluation Process

Eligibility check - Verify basic requirements met
Content evaluation by independent experts:
- Relevance: Alignment with call objectives and EU policy
- Implementation: Capacity to execute project effectively
- Impact: Expected results and societal/economic influence
Ranking and funding decision - Top-ranked proposals awarded

Step 7: Grant Agreement & Funding

Sign grant agreement with European Commission
Receive prefinancing (typically 50% advance payment)
Submit interim reports for subsequent payments
Final payment upon project completion and audit

Funding Structure

Co-funding Rates:

Standard rate: 50% of eligible costs
Enhanced rate for SMEs: 50-75% depending on call
Critical infrastructure projects: Up to 70%
Focus on deployment and adoption, not pure R&D

Typical Grant Amounts:

SME security tool uptake: €500K-€2M per project
AI cybersecurity tools: €1M-€3M per project
SOC enabling technologies: €1M-€5M per project
PQC deployment: €2M-€4M per project

Eligible Costs:

Personnel costs (salaries, benefits)
Subcontracting and external services
Equipment and infrastructure
Travel and subsistence
Consumables and supplies
Indirect costs (overheads) at flat rate

Support Resources

National Contact Points (NCPs):

Free guidance on finding and applying for calls
Training on proposal preparation
Support in finding project partners
Country-specific advice and workshops

Key Documents:

Digital Europe Work Programme 2025-2027
Call documents for specific topics
Model Grant Agreement template
EU Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
AGA - Annotated Grant Agreement guide

Contact

Official Resources

Specific Initiatives

National Contact Points (NCPs)

Find your country's NCP: Digital Europe NCPs Directory
NCPs provide free support, training, and partner matching

Current Open Calls (March 2026 Deadline)

Cybersecure AI Tools (CYBERAI) - €15M
SME Cybersecurity Uptake (UPTAKE) - €15M
Preparedness Testing (COORDPREP) - €10M
Regional Cable Hubs (CABLEHUBS) - €10M
National Cyber Hubs (NCH) - €2M
Cross-Border Cyber Hubs (CBCH) - €2M

For MFA and Security Tool Providers

Rublon and similar MFA providers can apply for UPTAKE call
Alignment with NIS2 Directive requirements strengthens proposals
CRA compliance tools eligible under multiple calls
Contact: [ncc-digital-europe@ec.europa.eu]