The funding call “Strengthening European Cybersecurity Technologies, Capacities and Preparedness” is managed by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC).

Two of the seven funding themes explicitly deal with artificial intelligence:

• AI-based cybersecurity solutions (CYBERAI): Development and deployment of tools for detecting attacks and vulnerabilities, analyzing threat data, and responding to security incidents. The security and reliability of the AI systems themselves are also part of the funding.

• AI Cybersecurity for SMEs (AI4SME): Development and dissemination of easy-to-use AI solutions that enable small and medium-sized enterprises to assess cyber risks, detect attacks, and respond to security incidents.

Other funding themes involve security testing, the protection of submarine cables, the networking of national cybersecurity centers, the implementation of European security regulations, and technologies with both civilian and military use.

Funding rates

The funding is, depending on the funding theme and applicant, generally 50 percent of eligible costs, for SMEs with appropriate funding conditions up to 75 percent.

There is no general minimum size for project consortia. Which organizations may participate and what additional requirements apply depend on the respective funding theme.

Particularly important are the security and property control rules under Article 12 Paragraph 5 of the Digital Europe Regulation. Applicants must check the relevant participation and control requirements.

Application deadline

The call is open since September 1, 2026. Submission is via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Deadline for complete applications: January 14, 2027, 5:00 PM (CET).

Since the application requires extensive technical, financial, and security-related information, a preparation time of at least six weeks is advisable. For Bavarian AI and cybersecurity companies and research institutes, the funding themes CYBERAI and AI4SME are particularly relevant.