Table of contents
- A safer and more resilient digital Europe
- Why investing in cyber security matters
- The four calls of the digital Europe programme
- Mapping Europe’s critical digital infrastructure
A safer and more resilient digital Europe
The European Commission has launched four new cyber security calls, allocating over €50 million under the Digital Europe Programme.
The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty, enhance its cyber resilience, and boost the adoption of advanced defense technologies.
Proposals can be submitted through the Funding & Tenders Portal from October 28, 2025 to March 31, 2026, in full compliance with EU security requirements under Article 12(5) of the programme regulation.
Why investing in cyber security matters
Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Europe has become acutely aware of its digital supply chain vulnerabilities. Investing in cyber security has therefore become essential to safeguard economic stability, public institutions, and private citizens alike.
As Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen of the European Commission stated: “By investing in regional cable hubs and strengthening stress tests, we are boosting our ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats.”
The four calls of the digital Europe programme
CYBER-09-CYBERAI: AI for Cyber security (€15 million)
This call supports the development of AI-driven cyber security solutions capable of improving threat detection and response mechanisms while ensuring compliance with the AI Act and GDPR.
Target applicants: innovative companies, research centers, deep tech startups, and public-private consortia.
CYBER-09-UPTAKE: Cyber Security for SMEs (€15 million)
Despite growing digital threats, SMEs often lag behind in adopting cyber security solutions. This call aims to promote the use of tested security tools, offering financial incentives and technical support to help SMEs integrate cyber security into their business operations.
Target applicants: industrial clusters, chambers of commerce, system integrators, and SME support organizations.
CYBER-09-COORDPREP: Resilience Testing and Simulation (€10 million)
This call funds preparedness tests and cyber crisis simulations across borders to enhance collaboration among critical infrastructure operators, public authorities, and private entities.
Target applicants: national cyber security agencies, CERT/CSIRT, essential service operators, and universities.
CYBER-09-CABLEHUBS: Security for Submarine Cables (€10 million)
Submarine cables are the backbone of Europe’s digital communications. This call focuses on protecting these strategic assets both physically and digitally against cyberattacks, sabotage, and system failures, ensuring the energy and digital security of the EU.
Target applicants: digital and maritime infrastructure operators, port authorities, telecom companies, and research institutes.
Mapping Europe’s critical digital infrastructure
Alongside the funding programme, the Commission has released a new Report on the Cyber security of Critical European Infrastructure, prepared by a group of experts. The report provides a detailed mapping of submarine cable networks and identifies key emerging threats.
It marks a tangible step toward a stronger, more resilient, and digitally autonomous Europe, capable of defending its citizens and data in an increasingly complex cyber landscape.
