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15/01/2026 The European Commission has launched two new calls for proposals under the “Digital, Industry and Space” cluster of the Horizon Europe Work Programme, allocating EUR 307.3 million to strengthen digital innovation and Europe’s competitiveness.
A total of EUR 221.8 million is dedicated to an initiative focused on developing trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) services, innovative data services, and ensuring the EU’s strategic autonomy. The call will fund projects contributing to the development of AI, including actions supporting the Apply AI strategy, robotics, quantum technologies, photonics, and virtual worlds. With more than EUR 40 million devoted to the “Open Internet Stack Initiative”, both end‑user applications and integrated stack technologies will be developed to support Europe’s sovereign digital commons.
An additional EUR 85.5 million is available for the second call for proposals, which will support open strategic autonomy in the area of emerging and digital technologies and raw materials. It will focus on topics such as next‑generation AI agents, robotics for industrial and service applications, and the development of new materials with enhanced sensing functionalities.
These calls promote sustainable innovation and European leadership in strategic digital technologies, in line with the Commission’s Competitiveness Guidelines. Through this investment, the Commission aims to secure leadership in strategic technologies through sustainable, human‑centred innovation.
The fourth pillar of the Horizon Europe Work Programme, “Digital, Industry and Space”, has been strategically designed to accelerate Europe’s leadership and competitiveness in key strategic digital sectors, such as AI, quantum computing, future digital networks, virtual worlds and other essential technologies. These calls are open to companies, public administrations, universities and other entities from EU Member States and partner countries.
The application window remains open until 15 April 2026.
Further information can be found on the European Commission’s Funding & Tenders Portal.
