The Digital Europe Programme aims to enhance strategic capabilities and knowledge in the digital field and foster the widespread use of digital technologies by citizens, businesses and public administrations to accelerate and promote the digital transition.

The Programme is structured into 5 sectors (High Performance Computing; Artificial intelligence, data and cloud; Cybersecurity and trust; Advanced digital skills; Deployment, best use of digital capacity and interoperability), each with specific objectives and implementation methods.

Calls for proposals are open to businesses, organisations and public administrations from Member States and countries associated with the Programme.

The actions to be implemented, budgets and conditions for participation are defined in specific work programmes; the first three have recently been approved, providing for a total allocation of almost 2 billion euros:

• DIGITAL Europe Work Programme 2021-2022: focused on the sectors of artificial intelligence, skills and advanced digital technologies. The estimated budget is approximately 1.38 billion euros.

• DIGITAL Europe - EDIH Work Programme 2021-2023: aims to establish European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) to support businesses in seizing the opportunities offered by digital transformation through the provision of specific services. The estimated budget is approximately 329 million euros.

• DIGITAL Europe - Cybersecurity Work Programme 2021-2022: focused on cybersecurity, to strengthen coordination at a European level, develop and share know-how, and support the development of cutting-edge solutions across all economic sectors. The estimated budget is approximately 269 million euros.

The first calls for proposals have recently been opened, with a closing date in February 2022, and can be viewed here.