The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is a new EU funding programme focused on bringing digital technology to businesses, citizens and public administrations. At first, the Digital Europe programme will be implemented through four work programmes, providing funding in the areas of digital skills, cyber security, artificial intelligence and more with the aim of boosting digital transformation.

The first three work programmes were adopted by the European Commission on the 10 November 2021 and follow extensive consultations with the Member States and stakeholders.

• The main work programme, with a budget of EUR 38 billion, will focus on the areas of advanced digital skills, artificial intelligence, cloud and data spaces, quantum communication infrastructure, and the wide use of digital technologies across the economy and society until the end of 2022.
• The first specific work programme, with a budget of €269 million until the end of 2022, will focus on funding in the area of cybersecurity.
• The second specific work programme, with a budget of EUR 329 million until the end of 2023, will focus on the set-up and operation of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs.

When it comes to higher education, the main work programme proves to be highly pertinent. The actions under the strategic area of advanced digital skills aim at supporting the excellence of EU education and training institutions in digital areas, including by encouraging their cooperation with research and businesses. These actions will support cooperation between higher education institutions and the private sector, together with research and excellence centres in digital technologies, including those funded in the other actions of the programme.

What’s next?

The work programmes will be implemented mainly through grants and procurement procedures. The first calls for the Digital Europe Programme were published on the 17 November 2021.

You can find more information here.