European Commission Launches €140 Million Calls to Boost Key Digital Technologies

The European Commission has opened four new funding calls under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), with a total budget of €140 million. These calls aim to advance the deployment of next-generation digital technologies across Europe, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced digital skills, and support against disinformation.

Breakdown of the Funding:

• €55 million will support the introduction of generative AI in public administrations and the agri-food sector. It will also help ensure compliance with EU regulations, back the Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor Technologies, and contribute to the development of data spaces.

• €27 million will be invested in creating four new academies focused on advanced digital skills in quantum technologies, AI, and virtual environments.

• €11 million is dedicated to expanding the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in associated countries, with a strengthened focus on AI.

• €47 million will go towards the deployment of cutting-edge digital technologies and the support of Safer Internet Centres. As part of this, €5 million will fund the creation of a European Network of Fact-Checkers, featuring a protection scheme against harassment, a shared fact-check repository, and emergency response capabilities for disinformation crises.

  
  

Deadline and Strategic Impact

All four calls are open until 2 September 2025. The initiatives on digital skills and the EDIH network contribute to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), a key EU effort to strengthen sovereignty in critical technologies.

This marks the first round of calls under the 2025–2027 DIGITAL Work Programme, designed to bring next-gen digital innovation to life throughout Europe.