Digital Europe Programme
Digital technologies and infrastructures are now fundamental to both economic activity and everyday life. The Digital Europe Programme (DEP) is a European Union funding instrument for the 2021–2027 period, designed to ensure that advanced digital solutions – in particular artificial intelligence, data, cybersecurity and digital skills – become widely accessible and effectively used across the economy and society
A key feature of the programme is that it does not primarily support research and innovation, but rather focuses on the deployment, application and scaling of already available technologies for businesses, public administrations and citizens.
DEP plays a crucial role in achieving the European Union’s strategic objectives,particularly in strengthening digital and technological sovereignty, enhancing competitiveness, and supporting the green and digital transitions.
To achieve these objectives, the Digital Europe Programme:
- supports the development and strengthening of the EU’s digital capacities;
- promotes the widespread adoption of innovative digital technologies;
- contributes to reinforcing the European data economy and cybersecurity;
- and places strong emphasis on the practical deployment and scaling of technologies.
Work programmes
The objectives, priorities and related calls for proposals of the Digital Europe Programme are defined by the European Commission through multiannual and annual work programmes. In the 2025–2027 period, the focus is clearly on the practical deployment, scaling and real-world application of digital technologies, as well as on the implementation of high-impact projects.
From the perspective of applicants, the two most important work programmes are the following:
Main work programme
In the 2025–2027 period, the main work programme focuses on the following key areas:
- Artificial Intelligence and Data
Development and deployment of AI solutions, creation and use of data spaces, and practical applications of Generative AI technologies - Digital transformation of industry and the public sector
Supporting digitalisation in healthcare, public administration, manufacturing and other sectors (e.g. digital twins, interoperable systems) - Cloud and data infrastructures
Strengthening European cloud and data capacities, and improving data sharing and interoperability - Advanced digital skills
Development of specialised training programmes and ensuring talent supply in key technologies (AI, cybersecurity, HPC, semiconductors) - Strengthening the innovation ecosystem
Supporting European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), international cooperation and cross-border consortia - Building shared European capacities
Development of Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs), common data spaces and digital infrastructures
Cybersecurity work programme
The Cybersecurity Work Programme aims to strengthen the resilience of the European Union’s digital systems and enhance protection against cyber threats. In the 2025–2027 period, it places strong emphasis on building advanced cybersecurity capacities and reinforcing cooperation across Member States.
The main areas supported under the programme include:
- Development of Security Operations Centres (SOCs)
Building national and cross-border capacities for early detection and effective response to cyber threats, supported by advanced threat intelligence and incident analysis capabilities - Strengthening international cybersecurity cooperation
Supporting information sharing, coordinated response mechanisms and joint actions across the EU - Enhancing cybersecurity capabilities of businesses
With a particular focus on SMEs and startups, helping them improve their preparedness against cyber threats - Preparation for the evolving regulatory framework
Supporting compliance with new EU cybersecurity regulations (e.g. NIS2 Directive, Cyber Resilience Act)
The programme contributes to building a more unified, robust and resilient European cybersecurity ecosystem.
Funding and Synergies
The Digital Europe Programme has a total budget of nearly €8.2 billion for the 2021–2027 period, supporting the development of digital capacities and the large-scale deployment of advanced technologies across Europe. The increase in budget reflects the expansion of the programme, in particular the inclusion of the semiconductors component (SO6).
A key characteristic of the programme is that it does not operate in isolation, but rather complements other EU funding instruments, creating strong synergies across programmes.
The most relevant related programmes include:
- Horizon Europe – research and innovation
- CEF Digital (Connecting Europe Facility) – digital infrastructure
- Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) – national-level investments
- Structural and Investment Funds – regional development
Therefore, project ideas should be considered in an integrated way, exploring the combination of multiple funding sources where relevant.
National Contact Point (NCP)
In 2023, the European Commission established the National Contact Point (NCP) network for the Digital Europe Programme, building on a well-established model used in other EU programmes. The aim of the network is to support applicants and facilitate access to funding opportunities.
In Hungary, this role is carried out by the Hungarian Development Promotion Office (MFOI).
As part of the international NCP network, and in close cooperation with European partners, we provide support in the following areas:
- Information and awareness raising
guidance on calls, work programmes and application conditions - Partner search and networking
support for building international consortia - Guidance and coordination
support throughout the application and project implementation process
Our goal is to help Hungarian stakeholders successfully participate in the Digital Europe Programme and actively engage in the European digital ecosystem.
DEP4ALL – The NCP Network for the Digital Europe Programme
MFOI Advisory, Hungary’s National Contact Point (NCP) for the Digital Europe Programme (DEP), plays a key role in the DEP4ALL project – an EU-funded initiative launched in September 2024, bringing together 17 organisations from across Europe.
The objective of DEP4ALL is to strengthen cooperation among DIGITAL NCPs – with a particular focus on widening countries – and to provide high-quality, practical support for applicants. By building a well-trained and strongly connected NCP network, the project contributes to the development of stronger proposals and more successful participation in DEP across Europe.
Training activities and practical support
As part of the project, MFOI launched a 6-part online training series in 2025, followed by five additional specialised trainings in 2026, covering key aspects of the Digital Europe Programme:
- Cascade Funding opportunities
- EU procurement rules in DEP projects
- Black-belt training series (3 sessions):
- Proposal writing
- Project management
- Financial reporting
These trainings provide participants with:
- a clear understanding of EU digital priorities and funding logic
- practical guidance on application processes and terminology
- support in developing project ideas into fundable concepts
- hands-on tips for proposal writing, project implementation and reporting
If you’re interested in the presentations of training sessions or would like to watch past recordings, click HERE
Matchmaking and networking
To further support partner search and consortium building, the project has also developed a dedicated DEP Matchmaking platform on b2match, enabling participants to connect, exchange ideas and build international partnerships.
Explore the DEP Matchmaking platform: LINK
Expert resources for applicants
The DEP4ALL project has also developed a range of practical knowledge materials to support applicants:
- Legal & Financial Infosheets
Practical guidance on financial rules, eligibility and project implementation
Explore Infosheets – LINK - Policy Briefing documents
Insights into EU priorities and strategic directions of the programme
Read Policy Briefings – LINK
STAY CONNECTED
- For more information about DEP4ALL project – Click HERE!
- DEP4ALL Newsletter – Subscribe HERE!
- DEP4ALL on LinkedIn – Follow us HERE!
Privacy Notice / DEP4ALL Project – Trainings
For detailed information on data processing, please refer to our Privacy Notice. Adatvédelmi tájékoztató / Privacy Notice
If you have any questions regarding the trainings or the Digital Europe Programme, feel free to contact us:
- Dr. Bernadett Petri, DEP NCP Coordinator bernadett.petri@mfoi.org
- János Dászkál, DEP NCP janos.daszkal@mfoi.org
- Dr. Lilla Békési, DEP NCP lilla.bekesi@mfoi.org
For DEP-related general enquiries, you can also reach us at: depncp@mfoi.org
You can also follow MFOI on social media to stay up to date with the latest funding opportunities, events and news.
We are glad to assist you at:
- Dr. Bernadett Petri, DEP NCP Coordinator bernadett.petri@mfoi.org
- János Dászkál, DEP NCP janos.daszkal@mfoi.org
- Dr Lilla Békési, DEP NCP lilla.bekesi@mfoi.org
Or please contact us at the DEP NCP general email address: depncp@mfoi.org or follow MFOI on our social media platforms.
Important links, contact details
Find out more about EU direct funds in general and the Digital Europe Programme in particular by clicking on the links below:
- European Commission website: https://commission.europa.eu/index_en;https://commission.europa.eu/index_hu
- All relevant details, conditions, official information and documents of the Programme are available here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home
- Frequently asked questions and answers about the DEP can be found at Questions and Answers: Digital Europe Programme | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
- EU events summary page: https://commission.europa.eu/events_en; https://euagenda.eu/events
Keep up to date with the latest news and calls for proposals of the Digital Europe Programme!
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