Digital Europe Programme is the first EU programme that aims to accelerate the recovery and drive the digital transformation of Europe.

Worth €7.6 billion (in current prices), the Programme is a part of the next long-term EU budget, (the Multiannual Financial Framework), and it covers 2021 to 2027. It will provide funding for projects in five crucial areas: supercomputing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced digital skills, and ensuring the wide use of digital technologies across the economy and society.

The Programme is fine-tuned to fill the gap between the research of digital technologies and their deployment, and to bring the results of research to the market – for the benefit of Europe’s citizens and businesses, and in particular SMEs. Investments under the Digital Europe programme supports the Union’s twin objectives of a green transition and digital transformation and strengthens the Union’s resilience and strategic autonomy.

The primary objective of the call topic is to support the design and delivery of higher education programme(s), such as bachelor’s and master’s leading to a degree (at ISCED levels 6, 7 or equivalent – hereafter programmes) and to develop related selfstanding modules (online, hybrid or in-person) leading to a certification.

50%

Maximum grant amount per project: up to €10.000.000

• Education and training
• Information Technology
• New Entrepreneurship
• Research, Technological Development and Innovation
• Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness

• Central Government
• Educational Institutions
• Large Enterprises
• Legal Entities
• Private Bodies
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• State-owned Enterprises

In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:

• be legal entities (public or private bodies)
• be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
  • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)
  • non-EU countries: listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme (associated countries) or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature.

The choice of the type(s) of programme(s) and self-standing module(s), as well as the precise curricula and the modalities (e.g. bachelor or master programme; single or joint degree; academic or professional programme, etc.) is left to the consortium, provided that they all result in a degree (applicable for programme(s)) and certification (applicable for self-standing module(s)) released by the higher education institution(s).

For the education programme(s) and self-standing module(s), consortia are highly encouraged to include practice oriented components (e.g. acquisition of practical experience in a company/organisation, visits of industry facilities or research. organisations, etc.).

Targeted stakeholders:
The consortium is highly recommended to include at least three degree awarding higher education institutions from three different eligible countries which are part of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE). Higher education institutions established in other eligible countries which are not part of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education can also be included in the consortium. In this case, the consortium has to prove that the specific higher education institution is recognised by the competent national authority and offers full study programmes leading to higher education degrees and recognised diplomas at tertiary education qualifications levels.

In addition to this, it is highly recommended for consortia to include a minimum of two industry partners whose headquarters are located in two different eligible countries. The consortium is also encouraged to particularly involve small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups.

The consortium is also encouraged to include at least one additional independent research organisation/hub or competence/excellence centre. In the proposal, the consortium is encouraged to demonstrate the relevance of this partner by referring to aspects such as the points below, but not limited to them:

• The number of patent applications in the areas identified within the scope of this call topic (section 2);
• The number of papers accepted in conferences and published in scientific journals on the above-mentioned areas;
• The number of relevant national or EU funded projects (H2020, etc.). Particular attention should be given to:
• Ensuring inclusivity in Europe and help widening the specialised education offer in all Member States with a special focus on those Member States that score low in terms of advanced digital skills levels, according to the Digital Economy and Society Index;
• Inclusion of industry partners, in particular start-ups and SMEs, but also other public or private entities that can be instrumental for the delivery of the actions requested by this call topic;
• Close collaboration with other stakeholders that provide technical expertise and experimentation and testing facilities (e.g. with European Digital Innovation Hubs) is highly encouraged.

Please note that higher education institutions already delivering similar programmes as the ones addressed by the proposal addressing this call topic can participate. However, they must explain the added value of the newly designed programme(s) and self-standing module(s) compared to the existing education offer delivered in the latest academic years.

European Universities alliances selected under the Erasmus+ programme and other alliances of higher education institutions are also encouraged to participate, provided that they include the necessary partners requested and they fulfil all the objectives outlined in this section.

Consortium composition – Proposals must be submitted by:
a consortium composed of a minimum 6 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from 5 different eligible countries.

Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
Directorate of Research and Innovation
Eleana Gabriel
Telephone: +357 22 691918
Email: egabriel@dmrid.gov.cy

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