The EU invests over €307 million in artificial intelligence and related technologies

The European Commission has launched two new calls for proposals under the “Digital World, Industry and Space” cluster of the Horizon Europe work programme, allocating €307.3 million to strengthen Europe’s digital innovation and competitiveness.

A total of €221.8 million will be allocated to an initiative focused on developing reliable artificial intelligence (AI) services, innovative data services and ensuring the EU’s strategic autonomy. The call will fund projects that contribute to the development of AI, including actions to support the Strategy for the Application of AI, robotics, quantum technologies, photonics and virtual worlds. With more than €40 million dedicated to the Open Internet Stack initiative, both end-user applications and technology stacks will be developed to support European sovereign digital commons.

For the second call, an additional €85.5 million will be made available to support open strategic autonomy in digital and emerging technologies and raw materials. This call 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 capabilities.

These calls drive sustainable innovation and European leadership in strategic digital technologies, in line with the Commission’s Competitiveness Compass. With this investment, the Commission aims to ensure leadership in strategic technologies through sustainable and human-centred innovation.

Cluster four of the Horizon Europe work programme, ‘Digital World, Industry and Space’, is strategically designed to accelerate Europe’s leadership and competitiveness in key strategic digital sectors such as AI, quantum, future digital networks, virtual worlds and other key technologies. These calls are open to businesses, public administrations, academia and other entities from EU Member States and partner countries.

The deadline for submitting applications is 15 April 2026.

More information: European Commission