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.
Participation options
The European Commission has fully activated the transitional arrangement for the Horizon package for 2021–2027 starting from 1 January 2025. This allows researchers and innovators in Switzerland to 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
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.
Further information
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% for proposals submitted in the first and second sets of calls 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:
1. High Performance Computing (HPC)
HORIZON-EUROHPC-JU-2025-AIFA-01
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Testing genAI4EU application at scale and under real-world condition (work programme, page 67)
Virtual worlds test beds (work programme, page 73)
3. Cybersecurity & Trust (no participation possible from Switzerland)
4. Advanced Digital Skills
DIGITAL-2025-SKILLS-08-GENAI-ACADEMY-STEP
DIGITAL-2025-SKILLS-08-QUANTUM-ACADEMY-STEP
DIGITAL-2025-SKILLS-08-VIRTUAL-WORLDS-ACADEMY-STEP
5. Deployment, accelerating best use of technologies (information to follow)
6. Semiconductors (no participation possible from Switzerland)
Please notify SERI of any planned DEP participations for which you intend to apply for co-funding.
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