As global competition over digital technologies intensifies, the European Commission is stepping up its investment to ensure Europe remains at the forefront of innovation.
The EU has announced a major €307.3m investment to strengthen its leadership in digital technologies, launching two new funding calls under the Digital, Industry and Space cluster of the Horizon Europe programme.
The move signals a decisive push to accelerate innovation in AI, data services, and emerging technologies, while reinforcing the EU’s strategic autonomy in an increasingly competitive global digital landscape.
Major funding push for AI and data innovation
The larger share of funding, €221.8m, targets the development of trustworthy AI and advanced data-driven services.
This call focuses on reinforcing Europe’s capacity to design and deploy human-centric, secure, and ethical AI solutions while reducing reliance on non-European technologies.
Funded projects will support the Commission’s Apply AI Strategy and span a wide range of digital technologies, including robotics, quantum computing, photonics, and immersive virtual worlds.
These areas are seen as critical enablers of industrial transformation and future economic growth across Europe.
A notable element of this call is the allocation of more than €40m to the Open Internet Stack Initiative.
This initiative aims to strengthen European sovereign digital commons by supporting both end-user applications and core technologies within the digital stack, ensuring greater control over essential digital infrastructure.
Supporting strategic autonomy in emerging technologies
The second call, with a budget of €85.5m, is dedicated to open strategic autonomy in digital and emerging technologies, as well as raw materials.
It prioritises research into next-generation AI agents, advanced robotics for industrial and service environments, and innovative materials with enhanced sensing capabilities.
By backing these technologies, the Commission seeks to future-proof European industries and enable more resilient supply chains, particularly in sectors where global competition and geopolitical dependencies are growing.
Why digital technologies matter for the EU
Digital technologies are central to the EU’s economic resilience, security, and long-term competitiveness.
As global markets become more data-driven and automated, Europe’s ability to develop its own AI systems, digital infrastructures, and advanced materials is crucial for maintaining technological sovereignty.
These investments also support the EU’s broader policy goals, including the green transition, industrial modernisation, and the creation of high-quality jobs.
Human-centric digital technologies can improve public services, boost productivity for businesses, and ensure that innovation aligns with European values such as privacy, transparency, and sustainability.
Driving competitiveness through Horizon Europe
These funding calls align with the Commission’s Competitiveness Compass and reinforce the strategic role of Horizon Europe’s Cluster Four.
The cluster is specifically designed to accelerate European leadership in AI, quantum technologies, future digital networks, and virtual worlds.
The calls are open to businesses, public authorities, research institutions, and other organisations from EU Member States and associated countries.
Applications can be submitted until 15 April 2026, offering a significant opportunity for stakeholders to help shape Europe’s digital future.
