Completion of the initial Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs

The European Union offers a grant opportunity under the title "Completion of the initial Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs" with ID DIGITAL-2026-EDIH-AC-09-COMPLETION-STEP. This grant, which opens on November 4, 2025, and closes on March 3, 2026, has a total budget of €8 million, targeting the establishment of three new European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) primarily in countries that have not yet participated in previous calls, specifically associated countries such as Albania, North Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Switzerland.

Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities capable of forming a consortium to establish an EDIH. This consortium could consist of universities, research institutes, RTOs, ICT providers, regional authorities, and various business associations and clusters. Each EDIH is expected to provide comprehensive services aimed at supporting digital transformation, particularly through the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The grants will provide funding covering 100% of eligible costs—50% funded by the Digital Europe Programme and 50% required from national or regional sources, emphasizing the need for co-funding from local authorities or organizations. The expected average funding per project is approximately €2.67 million.

The EDIHs will serve as regional one-stop shops for digital transformation, offering four essential services: access to technical experimentation facilities, training and skill development, access to finance, and fostering innovation networks. They will primarily target SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations. A significant aspect of this opportunity is the reinforced focus on AI and collaboration with other AI innovation infrastructures and services.

The application process follows a single-stage submission procedure, with proposals evaluated based on excellence, impact, and implementation criteria. Given the competitive nature of the call, with only three grants available, the success rates are anticipated to be relatively low, estimated at between 10-39%, depending on the number of applications received.

Overall, this grant aims to enhance the digital capabilities of associated countries through the establishment of EDIHs that will play a critical role in driving economic growth and supporting local entities in their digital transformation initiatives, particularly leveraging advancements in AI technologies aligned with European strategic goals.

This is a call for proposals under the DIGITAL Europe Programme, specifically targeting the completion of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). The call, titled DIGITAL-2026-EDIH-AC-09-COMPLETION-STEP, aims to support the digital transformation of SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations by establishing new EDIHs in countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme that have not previously participated in EDIH calls. These EDIHs will provide a comprehensive set of services, including infrastructure, with a focus on a specific geographical area and the digital needs of local entities, emphasizing Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The expected outcome is the creation of EDIHs that support digital transformation and extend their impact beyond their immediate region. The performance of these hubs will be evaluated using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) defined in the proposals. These KPIs include the number of entities using EDIH services, categorized by user type, sector, and location, with specific sub-indicators for AI solution development and uptake, including the use of European AI Innovation Infrastructures like the AI-on-Demand platform and AI Factories. Additional KPIs cover entity referrals to AI Innovation Infrastructures, the amount of triggered investments, and collaborations with other EDIHs and stakeholders at the EU level. Impact indicators, collected and analyzed by the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA), will measure the increase in digital maturity of organizations using the EDIH network and the number of companies benefiting from European AI technology.

Cross-border transnational hubs are encouraged, involving joint proposals and co-funding from several countries to serve neighboring regions and address shared challenges. In such cases, only the funding share of each participating country will be considered for the total funding amount.

The objective is to complete the EDIH network, promoting the deployment and adoption of European AI and other digital technologies, aligning with EU values and a human-centric approach. The network will leverage green digital technologies to contribute to climate and environmental goals, enhance industrial resilience, and strengthen strategic autonomy. The EDIHs will collaborate with EU AI Innovation infrastructures, acting as central hubs and ensuring a seamless digital journey for stakeholders. They will also promote the use of digital capacities built under the Digital Europe Programme and leverage AI solutions from European start-ups, SMEs, and EU-funded projects, including the AI-on-Demand Platform.

The EDIHs are expected to closely collaborate with AI Factories and High-Performance Computing competence centers, facilitating access to EuroHPC AI-optimized supercomputers and providing AI training to SMEs. Duplication of actions with other AI innovation infrastructures should be avoided through agreed working arrangements, with EDIHs focusing on their role as multipliers and extending geographical reach. Proposals should describe the planned AI service delivery and referral mechanisms.

Each EDIH will offer services based on a specific expertise, supporting the digital transformation and AI integration of the local private and public sectors. The EDIH network will provide four types of services: Test before invest (access to technical expertise and experimentation, especially AI-related), Training and skill development (upskilling and reskilling), Support to access financing sources, and Fostering an innovation ecosystem and networking opportunities, including links to AI factories and TEFs. All EDIHs are expected to provide these four types of services, with varying emphasis, on an open, transparent, and non-discriminatory basis, targeting SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations conducting non-economic activities.

The EDIHs will act as access points to the broader European EDIH network, providing support to local entities and, conversely, offering their expertise to companies and public actors from other regions. They will also serve as contact points for AI innovation infrastructures, providing a first-line AI help desk and information on compliance with the AI Act. Each EDIH will offer experimentation facilities and demonstrators, allowing SMEs, mid-caps, and the public sector to test technologies and assess their feasibility and environmental impact. Access to finance services, including information on funding sources and connections to investors, will also be provided.

The EDIHs will actively network with other hubs, share best practices, connect companies within their value chain, and seek synergies with innovators. They will be supported by the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA) and must participate in DTA activities such as matchmaking and training events. The DTA will host tools like the Digital Maturity Assessment Tool and centralize KPIs, requiring EDIHs to report necessary information. Interoperability with the EDIH network tools is mandatory.

The EDIHs should collaborate with AI Factories, High-Performance Computing competence centers, Cybersecurity centers, the AI-on-demand platform, AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities, and other EDIHs. They will facilitate access to EuroHPC AI-optimized supercomputers and provide AI training. Structured relationships with local actors, such as regional authorities, industrial clusters, SME associations, and chambers of commerce, are expected, with Memoranda of Understanding for collaboration.

Finally, EDIHs will serve as an interface for the European Commission to support sectorial, SME, and eGovernment policies. They will design their operations for sustainability, building local capacity, fostering community ownership, and integrating into their ecosystems.

The total public funding for this action covers 100% of eligible costs, with 50% from the Digital Europe Programme and up to 50% from Member States. State aid must comply with applicable rules, such as de minimis or GBER.

The call document outlines admissibility conditions, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity requirements, evaluation and award processes, award criteria, and the legal and financial setup of grants.

The call opens on November 4, 2025, and closes on March 3, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The budget is 8,000,000 EUR, and it is expected that around 3 grants will be awarded.

This opportunity aims to bolster the European digital landscape by expanding the network of Digital Innovation Hubs, particularly in regions that have not yet benefited from this initiative. It's about empowering SMEs and public sector organizations to embrace AI and other digital technologies, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth across Europe, while also ensuring that these advancements align with European values and sustainability goals. The program is designed to create a connected ecosystem where knowledge, resources, and expertise are shared, enabling businesses and public entities to thrive in the digital age.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are entities that can form a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH). These include entities from countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme that have not participated in any previous EDIH call. The EDIH should be composed of multiple organizations working together. The EDIH can select to focus on specific group(s) of clients (e.g. mainly SMEs or mainly public sector).

Funding Type: The funding type is a DIGITAL Simple Grant. It is a budget-based DIGITAL Action Grant.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium to form an EDIH. Cross-border transnational hubs are possible with several countries jointly proposing and co-funding.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme that have not yet participated in any previous EDIH call. The EDIH should focus on a specific geographical area. Cross-border transnational hubs are possible with several countries jointly proposing and co-funding, serving neighboring regions in different countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is digital transformation with a reinforced AI focus. This includes AI technologies, green digital technologies, and other crucial digital technologies. The program targets SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity targets countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.

Project Stage: The project stage is the establishment and operation of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), implying a stage of development and implementation.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the topic DIGITAL-2026-EDIH-AC-09-COMPLETION-STEP is EUR 8,000,000. The indicative number of grants is 3. Therefore, the funding per grant is around EUR 2,666,666.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to cover 100% of eligible costs, with 50% coming from the Digital Europe Programme and up to 50% coming from the Member States.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rate cannot be determined from the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is required, with up to 50% of the funding coming from the Member States.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme, specifically targeting the completion of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). The goal is to establish EDIHs in countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme that have not yet participated in previous calls. These EDIHs are intended to support the digital transformation of SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations within their geographical area, with a particular emphasis on the adoption of AI technologies. The funding will cover 100% of eligible costs, with contributions from both the Digital Europe Programme and the Member States. The application process is a single-stage submission, and the selected EDIHs will be expected to provide a range of services, including technical expertise, training, access to finance, and ecosystem networking. The EDIHs will also collaborate with AI Innovation infrastructures and participate in the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA). The call aims to promote the widespread deployment of AI and other digital technologies, enhance the resilience of European industry, and strengthen strategic autonomy. The total budget for this call is EUR 8,000,000, with an indicative number of 3 grants to be awarded. The opening date for submissions is planned for November 4, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is March 3, 2026.