Digital Europe Programme

As part of the Horizon package 2021–2027, the Digital Europe Programme (DEP) strengthens Europe's digital capacities and complements programmes such as Horizon Europe. With over EUR 8.1 billion in funding, the DEP covers high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, semiconductors, digital skills and the use of digital technologies.

High performance computing (HPC), Data center analysis, Big data analysis, Cloud computing infrastructure, Accelerated SoC design, Data flow management

Participation options

With Switzerland's association with the Digital Europe Programme, researchers and innovators in Switzerland participate as ‘beneficiaries’ in DEP calls for proposals from the programme year 2025 onwards. They can thus submit project proposals in the role of coordinator. Specific Objectives 3 (Cybersecurity) and 6 (Semiconductors ) are exceptions to this as these areas are only accessible to EU member states and, to a limited extent, to countries in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Work programme 2025–2027

The European Commission has published the work programme for the 2025–2027 calls for proposals. It includes a wide range of initiatives and calls for proposals in the years 2025–2027 that aim to promote the digital transformation in Europe. The budget for these calls for proposals is 3.2 billion euros and covers six Specific Objectives (SOs):

  • High Performance Computing (HPC)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Cybersecurity & Trust
  • Advanced Digital Skills
  • Deployment, accelerating best use of technologies
  • Semiconductors

Work Programme 2025-2027 of the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) | Shaping Europe’s digital future.

Call Open: Swiss national preselection of European Digital Innovation Hubs

In the context of Swiss participation in the Digital Europe Programme, the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is launching the process to establish European Digital Innovation Hubs in Switzerland. The national preselection call for expressions of interest will be open from 7 October, 2025 until 28 November, 2025.

European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) are regionally-based one-stop shops supporting companies and public sector organisations to respond to digital challenges and become more competitive. They provide access to technical expertise and testing facilities, skills and training programmes, and broader innovation services. They will be connected to the existing network of EDIHs across Europe allowing for the exchange of expertise and services.

The selection of Swiss EDIHs will be a two-step process. Firstly a national preselection call will designate candidate entities as qualified to participate in the next step of the selection process. In the second step the European Commission is launching a restricted call for proposals for the establishment of EDIHs in Switzerland, open only to the pre-selected candidates.

The restricted European Commission call will open in November 2025 and close in March 2026. The amended Digital Europe work programme was published on 6 October with the details on the restricted call. The nationally preselected Swiss candidate entities will be invited for a dedicated Infoday with the European Commission in December 2025 to support them in their proposal preparation for the restricted call.

Applicants to the second step European Commission call for proposals will need to annex a designation letter from their country as proof of pre-selection in the national process. The Commission services and agencies will verify eligibility based on this letter, as a prerequisite for evaluation, selecting the entities that will ultimately join the EDIH Network.

The selected EDIHs will receive EU funding through the Digital Europe Programme as well as additional co-financing from SERI.

The call document details the context, selection criteria and process, and is available here:

Strategic areas

On 31 March 2025, the European Commission informed Switzerland that its application to participate in the restricted calls for proposals in strategic areas under Article 12(6) of the regulation establishing the Digital Europe Programme have been positively evaluated. This means that Swiss organisations are eligible to apply for all calls for proposals 2025–2027 in Specific Objectives (SO) 1 (including EuroHPC JU), 2, 4 and 5, provided that they meet the conditions set out in the 2025–2027 work programme. However, this does not apply to calls for proposals in SO3 and SO6.

Funding

The European Commission provides direct core funding for DEP projects, generally covering 50% of the total project budget.

SERI may provide national co-funding of up to 50% of the work programme 2025–2027. Contributions may be granted upon request in accordance with Article 6 FIPBV. SERI can finance projects within the limits of the budget approved by the Federal Council and Parliament. The total budget available is divided equally among the successful Swiss participants.

Swiss project participants can submit an application for co-funding to SERI for the following calls for proposals:

Please notify SERI of any planned DEP participations for which you intend to apply for co-funding (using the form below).

Chips Joint Undertaking

The Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) is an Institutionalised Partnership that funds projects focusing on key enabling technologies. The Chips JU has a budget of EUR 4.2 billion for 2021–2027 funded through both Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme. Swiss entities may participate as beneficiaries in all Chips JU calls that are funded through Horizon Europe but do not have access to activities that are funded through the DEP.

Informing SERI about Chips JU and DEP project proposals

If you are planning to submit a CHIPS JU or DEP project proposal to the European Commission, we recommend that you also inform SERI at the same time. This will help us to keep track of project proposals submitted during the current transition phase.

Further information

E2-news.ch: Digital Europe Programme now open to Switzerland

Subscribe to the SERI DEP-Mail to stay up to date on DEP calls and funding opportunities.

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI

International Research and Innovation Programmes