OPEN CALL FOR INDEPENDENT CYBER RANGES

The CYRESRANGE Open Call offers cascade funding under the Digital Europe Programme to onboard independent cyber ranges and fund technical integration, interoperability testing and participation in cross-range exercises. The total budget is €75,000 with individual grants of up to €25,000 and projects of up to two months, implemented as Financial Support to Third Parties. Eligible applicants are organisations established in EU Member States and proposals must be submitted by email to opencall@cyresrange.net including Annex A as a QES-signed PDF and Annex B as an Excel budget by 16 April 2026 at 22:00 Brussels time. Selected projects must complete administrative steps and sign an NDA and any required IP or confidentiality documents prior to starting work.

What it funds

Purpose

Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) to onboard, technically integrate, validate and enable participation of independent cyber ranges in cross-range, large-scale cybersecurity exercises and validation activities.

Who can apply:Operators of existing operational cyber ranges and users (e.g., training, research, education providers) interested in integrating or leveraging CYRESRANGE network capabilities ¹.

Funding and timing

Total call budget €75,000. Maximum grant per supported project €25,000. Selected activities run up to 2 months after contract signature.

Scope highlights

1. 1Onboarding of independent cyber range infrastructures (hardware/software) for cross-range exercises
2. 2Technical integration via REST APIs (consuming and/or providing orchestration APIs)
3. 3Use of third-party infrastructures for scenario development, testing and validation (WP3, WP4, WP5)
4. 4Provision of technical and operational feedback during onboarding and validation

How to apply

Submit Annex A (electronically signed PDF) and Annex B (Excel budget) by email to opencall@cyresrange.net before the deadline. Applicants must select one of five connection methods in the application form.

Full call package, templates and FAQs are published on the project website CYRESRANGE Open Call ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Official open call package, Guide for Applicants, annexes and submission templates available at cyresrange.net and questions can be sent to opencall@cyresrange.net.

This competitive cascade funding call provides Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) to onboard independent cyber ranges into the CYRESRANGE ecosystem, integrate and validate their capabilities via REST APIs, and actively participate in cross-range, large-scale cybersecurity exercises. The call is published on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and implemented by the CYRESRANGE consortium under Grant Agreement 101128088. The call targets both operators of existing cyber ranges and users seeking to leverage the interconnected network for training, research, education, and exercises.

Scope and technical focus

The grant supports activities that enhance the interoperability, scalability, and operational validation of cyber ranges by integrating external infrastructures and unique capabilities into the CYRESRANGE ecosystem. Beneficiaries are expected to accomplish technical onboarding, implement REST API-based integration, and participate in cross-range development, testing, and validation, culminating in active involvement in large-scale exercises. Proposals must select one of the five available methods of connection between cyber ranges, as described in the application template.

• Onboarding of independent cyber range infrastructures or suitable hardware/software environments that can support cross-range exercises.
• Integration of distinctive capabilities that increase functionality, diversity, and realism of cross-range scenarios.
• Technical integration via REST APIs, including consumption of APIs provided by the Beneficiary for onboarding and orchestration, and provision of APIs by the supported third party to enable infrastructure orchestration.
• Use of third-party cyber range infrastructures by CYRESRANGE for cross-range scenario development, testing and validation (notably in WP4 and WP5).
• Active participation and structured technical collaboration during WP3, WP4, and WP5.
• Provision of detailed technical and operational feedback across onboarding, integration, testing, and validation phases.

Selected applicants must sign an NDA and any additional mandatory IP and confidentiality documents before the start of activities. Projects start after GA signature and administrative formalities and must be completed within up to two months.

Application process and templates

Applications must be prepared using Annex A – Application Form and Annex B – Project Budget Form, then submitted by email to opencall@cyresrange.net. Annex A must be electronically signed with a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) and attached as PDF; Annex B must be submitted in Excel (.xlsx). Applicants receive an acknowledgement of receipt upon email submission.

1. 1Obtain the complete Open Call package (Guide for Applicants, Annexes, templates, FAQs) from the project website: CYRESRANGE website.
2. 2Draft the proposal using Annex A – Application Form and select one of the five methods of connection between cyber ranges indicated in the template.
3. 3Prepare the budget using Annex B – Project Budget Form (Excel).
4. 4Ensure Annex A is QES-signed and exported to PDF; attach Annex B in .xlsx format.
5. 5Email both annexes to opencall@cyresrange.net before the deadline indicated on the EU portal.
6. 6Await acknowledgement of message receipt and, if selected, proceed with NDA and any required IP/confidentiality formalities.

Indicative structure of Annex A – Application Form (based on available information):Applicant identification and legal info; Description of existing cyber range or user use-case; Selected connection method (one of five) and rationale; Technical integration plan including REST API consumption/provision and orchestration approach; Cross-range scenario contribution plan and expected participation in WP3, WP4, WP5 activities; Testing and validation plan; Data protection, security, and IP/confidentiality compliance; Work plan, milestones, and 2-month schedule; Expected outputs and feedback deliverables; Team, roles, and capacity; Risk assessment and mitigation; Ethical, interoperability, and standardization considerations; Contact details and QES signature. Refer to the official Annex A template in the call package for the authoritative structure.

Indicative structure of Annex B – Project Budget Form:Cost categories aligned with FSTP guidance; Personnel costs for onboarding, integration, testing, validation; Travel and subsistence if relevant to validation activities; Other direct costs (infrastructure usage, API development, licensing if applicable); Indirect costs methodology as specified in the template; Total cost and requested FSTP contribution capped at €25,000.

Categorization and structured extraction

Eligible Applicant Types:Operators of existing, operational cyber ranges; Universities and higher education institutions operating cyber ranges or cybersecurity training environments; Research institutes with cyber range infrastructure; SMEs and large enterprises running cyber ranges, cybersecurity labs, or training/testbeds; Nonprofits and associations managing cyber training platforms; Government bodies and public agencies including CSIRTs/CERTs operating cyber ranges; Training centers and vocational providers with cyber range capability; Users aiming to leverage the CYRESRANGE network for training, research, education, and large-scale exercises who can support integration and validation activities. Final eligibility conditions are defined in the Guide for Applicants available on the project website.

Funding Type:Grant via cascade funding mechanism (Financial Support to Third Parties – FSTP) under the DIGITAL programme action DIGITAL-ECCC.

Consortium Requirement:Single applicant projects are expected. The call text does not require multi-partner consortia; the focus is onboarding an individual independent cyber range or environment and its integration with CYRESRANGE.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU-wide focus. While the call is published for EU-wide visibility and targets European cybersecurity actors and Member States, the exact list of eligible countries follows the DIGITAL Europe Programme association rules and will be specified in the Guide for Applicants. Applicants should verify eligibility on the official call page and in the call package on the project website.

Target Sector:Security/cybersecurity and ICT, with cross-cutting relevance to critical and key technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, and Industrial Control Systems, and application sectors including health, energy, finance, transport, telecommunications, agri-food production, and resource management.

Mentioned Countries:Romania.

Project Stage:Integration, validation, and demonstration. Applicants are expected to have operational cyber range capabilities and to carry out short-duration onboarding, API-based integration, testing, and participation in cross-range exercises.

Funding Amount:Up to €25,000 per supported third-party project; total call budget €75,000, implying support for approximately three projects, subject to evaluation outcomes and available budget.

Application Type:Open call. Submission by email using official templates (Annex A and Annex B). No portal-form submission is indicated; the EU portal is used for publication and transparency.

Nature of Support:Money (grant under FSTP). Non-monetary benefits also accrue, such as integration into the CYRESRANGE ecosystem, increased visibility, access to shared resources, and opportunities for cooperation and large-scale exercises.

Application Stages:1 stage. Single-stage submission and evaluation as per the EU portal listing.

Success Rates:Not specified. No quantitative success rate information is provided. With a total budget of €75,000 and a maximum of €25,000 per project, the expected number of awards is limited.

Co-funding Requirement:Not explicitly stated. The FSTP contribution is capped at €25,000 per project. If proposed costs exceed this cap, applicants may need to cover the difference. Applicants should consult the Guide for Applicants and Annex B instructions for definitive funding and co-financing rules.

Work packages and participation expectations

• WP3: Structured technical collaboration during early integration and onboarding.
• WP4 and WP5: Testing and validation activities using third-party cyber range infrastructures and participation in cross-range scenario development and exercises.

Active participation is expected throughout onboarding, integration, testing, and validation, with delivery of detailed technical and operational feedback. This includes implementing REST API interactions both to consume CYRESRANGE orchestration/onboarding APIs and to expose applicant-side orchestration endpoints as required.

Administrative and legal conditions

• NDA and additional IP/confidentiality documents must be signed prior to activity start.
• Projects commence after Grant Agreement signature and completion of mandatory administrative steps.
• Project duration is up to two months from the start date.

Key contacts and resources

• Official EU portal listing: EU Funding & Tenders Portal listing
• Project website with complete Open Call package (Guide for Applicants, Annexes, templates, FAQs): CYRESRANGE website
• Submission and queries: opencall@cyresrange.net

Summary and explanation

This cascade funding opportunity offers short, focused grants to integrate independent cyber ranges into a federated European ecosystem, CYRESRANGE. The funded work spans rapid technical onboarding, API-level interoperability, and participation in cross-range scenario development, testing, and large-scale exercises. The call is designed for operators of operational cyber ranges as well as qualified users intent on leveraging the network for training, research, and education, with strong emphasis on interoperability, scalability, and realistic, multi-domain cybersecurity training. Projects are brief (up to two months), with grants up to €25,000 and a total envelope of €75,000. Applicants submit a QES-signed application form and a budget spreadsheet by email, selecting one of five connection methods between ranges and detailing their API integration and orchestration approach. Beneficiaries join a collaborative community aligned with EU cybersecurity strategies and activities, contributing to validation in key work packages and providing detailed technical feedback. Target technologies include 5G, IoT, Cloud, AI, and ICS, with applicability across critical sectors such as health, energy, finance, transport, telecommunications, agri-food, and resource management. Administrative prerequisites include NDA and IP/confidentiality commitments prior to starting. The call follows EU transparency and sound financial management rules under DIGITAL-ECCC and provides EU-wide visibility. Applicants should consult the official call package for definitive eligibility, submission, and funding rules and observe the deadline on the EU portal. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1The EU portal lists a single-stage deadline on 16 April 2026 at 22:00 Brussels time, while the project website shows an alternative window of 03 March 2026 – 04 May 2026 at 17:00. Applicants should prioritize the EU portal deadline and monitor the project website for updates. See portal listing at EU Funding & Tenders Portal listing and project site at CYRESRANGE website.

Funding Opportunity Overview

The CYRESRANGE Open Call for Independent Cyber Ranges provides financial support to onboard independent cyber range infrastructures and capabilities into the CYRESRANGE platform, enabling interoperable cybersecurity training, testing, and large-scale cyber exercises across the European Union. This is a cascade funding opportunity implemented as Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) under the Digital Europe Programme, specifically addressing EU Cybersecurity Resilience, Coordination and Cybersecurity Ranges DIGITAL-ECCC.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Call Opening:16 February 2026

Submission Deadline:16 April 2026 at 22:00 Brussels time

Submission Model:Single-stage submission process

Funding Details

Total Funding Available:€75,000

Maximum Grant per Project:€25,000

Minimum Grant per Project:€15,000 for minimum integration activities

Funding Rate:95 percent of eligible costs

Pre-financing:80 percent transferred after grant agreement signature and completion of administrative steps

Project Duration

Projects will have a maximum duration of two months. Project implementation begins after signature of the Grant Agreement and completion of all mandatory administrative steps. Prior to commencement, selected applicants must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and any other mandatory intellectual property and confidentiality documents as required by the beneficiary.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be organisations established in a European Union Member State. Eligible applicant types include:

• Academic institutions and research organisations
• Government agencies and public authorities
• Commercial cyber range providers and operators
• Non-profit organisations focused on cybersecurity education or research
• Private organisations operating cybersecurity training infrastructures
• Operators of existing, operational cyber ranges seeking to integrate their infrastructures into the CYRESRANGE platform

Applicants must demonstrate technical readiness for integration, operational capacity, and compliance with relevant cybersecurity and data protection standards.

Scope of Supported Activities

The call supports activities that contribute to the interoperability, scalability, and operational validation of cyber ranges by integrating external infrastructures and capabilities into the CYRESRANGE ecosystem. Eligible activities include:

• Onboarding of independent cyber range infrastructures or hardware/software environments capable of supporting cross-range exercises
• Integration of unique cyber range capabilities that enhance overall functionality, diversity, and realism of cross-range scenarios
• Technical integration via REST APIs, including consumption of APIs provided by the beneficiary for onboarding and orchestration, and provision of APIs by the supported third party to enable infrastructure orchestration
• Use of third-party cyber range infrastructures by CYRESRANGE for cross-range scenario development and testing and validation activities
• Active participation in the validation process, including structured technical collaboration during project work packages
• Provision of detailed technical and operational feedback covering onboarding, integration, testing, and validation phases

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit proposals electronically via email to opencall@cyresrange.net with the following documents:

• Annex A - Application Form as an electronically signed (QES) PDF file attachment
• Annex B - Project Budget Form in Excel (.xlsx) file format

In the proposal, applicants must select one of five methods of connection between cyber ranges as described in the application template. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement of message receipt upon submission.

Project Context and Objectives

The CYRESRANGE project, funded under the Digital Europe Programme, addresses EU cybersecurity directives and the EU Cyber Strategy to build resilience to cyber threats and ensure trustworthy digital technologies. The project consortium includes seven Romanian organisations: Universitatea Maritima din Constanta, Directoratul National de Securitate Cibernetica, Bit Sentinel Security SRL, Clusterul de Excelenta in Securitate Cibernetica, Cyber Dacians SRL, Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare in Informatica ICI Bucuresti, and Orange Romania SA. ¹

The project aims to strengthen the capacity of cybersecurity actors in the EU to interconnect independent and federated cyber ranges, develop a marketplace of crowdsourced structured trainings and certifications, support progressive adoption through large-scale exercises, develop innovative self-assessment engines for cybersecurity skills, improve capabilities to approach advanced cyber attacks, and ensure wide dissemination of results to the research and academic community.

Benefits of Onboarding to CYRESRANGE

By onboarding to the CYRESRANGE platform, cyber range operators become part of a collaborative and interoperable ecosystem with the following advantages:

• Increased visibility and recognition within the European cybersecurity community
• Access to shared resources and collaborative opportunities
• New opportunities for cooperation and innovation
• Access to a diverse portfolio of interconnected cyber ranges
• Advanced training scenarios and community-driven environment
• Enhanced practical cybersecurity skills and real-world experience for users

Contact and Further Information

The complete Open Call package including the Guide for Applicants, Annexes, templates, FAQs, and updates is available at CYRESRANGE Official Website. For detailed information about this call, applicants should contact opencall@cyresrange.net. The call is published on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal for maximum transparency and EU-wide visibility.

Implementation Framework

This Open Call is implemented as Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) in accordance with Article 6.2.D.1 of the EU Model Grant Agreement. The CYRESRANGE consortium acts as the beneficiary responsible for publishing the call, evaluating proposals, awarding financial support, and monitoring the implementation of supported projects in line with EU principles of transparency, equal treatment, and sound financial management.

Footnotes

1. 1The CYRESRANGE project consortium comprises seven Romanian organisations with expertise spanning maritime education, national cybersecurity, security services, cluster coordination, cyber defence, research and development, and telecommunications infrastructure.