Official call identifier: DIGITAL-ECCC-2027-DEPLOY-CYBER-11-REGCABH
Objective of the call
The objective of the call is to support the progressive establishment of Regional Cable Hubs, one per EU sea basin, to strengthen threat detection and operational security around undersea cables as strategic critical infrastructure.
The action supports the establishment of processes, tools and services for detecting and analysing emerging threats and creating near real-time situational awareness around undersea cable infrastructure. This includes aggregating security information and data from available sources, automated analysis, incident reporting and information sharing between relevant national authorities.
Scope of activities
Projects may address one or more of the following:
- Establishment of new Regional Cable Hubs as cooperative cross-border structures for the protection of undersea cables.
- Expansion of existing Regional Cable Hubs funded under previous calls to additional Member States.
- Capability upgrades of existing Hubs, including extension towards defence-related capacities and the application of new technologies enabling more predictive, automated, interoperable and operationally actionable situational awareness.
- Development and operation of processes, tools and services for threat detection and analysis around undersea cable infrastructure.
- Creation of near real-time situational awareness by aggregating and analysing data and security information from available sources.
- Integration with existing systems such as the Integrated Maritime System, Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE), National Cyber Hubs, Copernicus and MARSUR.
- Establishment of incident reporting functions and procedures for information sharing between relevant national authorities.
- Deployment of surveillance and protection solutions using in-situ and sea-based sensors, satellite imagery and undersea drone capacities.
- Establishment of structured cooperation with private-sector organisations, particularly cable operators, to facilitate secure voluntary information sharing on emerging threats and incidents.
- Progressive integration of relevant defence capacities, including naval or surveillance capabilities and operational command, using a dual-use approach.
- Where participating Member States decide to do so, coordination of the deployment and activation of modular repair equipment across the relevant sea basin.
- Acquisition of additional infrastructure, equipment, tools, instruments and services needed to establish, operate or upgrade the Regional Cable Hub and strengthen undersea cable security and resilience.
- Preparatory activities for establishing the Hub, cooperation between its members and other stakeholders, and operational activities required for the effective running of the Hub. Call Document DEP 11
Eligible applicants
• Innovative SMEs, startups and enterprises aiming to scale and strengthen competitiveness
• Public-sector organisations driving transformation and societal impact
• Research and academic institutions commercialising knowledge
• Non-profit organisations delivering purpose-driven innovation
• Organisations based in EU Member States, EFTA/EEA countries, or Associated Countries as defined in the Horizon Europe General Annexes
• Consortia must include at least the minimum number of independent legal entities from different eligible countries, as specified in the call conditions
For this specific call, the consortium must include at least two independent applicants from two different eligible countries. It must include competent public authorities from at least two Member States concerned by the relevant sea basin, such as ministries, agencies or other public entities responsible for cable security, maritime security, resilience or protection of critical infrastructure. Involvement of a larger number of Member States is preferred. Other relevant public or private entities may participate where necessary for implementation. Call Document DEP 11
Eligible beneficiaries and affiliated entities must be legal entities established in EU Member States or EEA countries (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). Because security restrictions apply, participation in any capacity is limited to entities established in and controlled from eligible countries, and project activities must take place in eligible countries. Call Document DEP 11
Specific consortium we are looking for:
- Competent public authorities from at least two Member States concerned by the same sea basin, forming the mandatory core of the consortium
- Ministries, agencies or other public bodies responsible for cable security, maritime security, resilience or critical infrastructure protection
- National cybersecurity authorities, Cyber Hubs or CSIRTs contributing cybersecurity monitoring, threat information and incident-response capabilities
- Maritime surveillance and situational-awareness organisations able to contribute relevant operational information and infrastructure
- Technology and cybersecurity providers contributing threat detection, automated analysis, monitoring, information-sharing or situational-awareness tools
- Undersea cable operators and other relevant private-sector actors supporting voluntary information sharing and operational cooperation
- Satellite, sensor, maritime monitoring or undersea drone expertise where these capacities are included in the proposed Hub
- Defence or maritime-security actors, where the proposal progressively integrates relevant defence capacities through a dual-use approach
- Additional Member State authorities from the relevant sea basin, as participation beyond the minimum two Member States is preferred
Eligible costs
- Personnel costs
- Subcontracting costs
- Travel and subsistence
- Equipment costs, with depreciation and full cost for listed equipment applicable to this topic
- Other goods, works and services
- Internally invoiced goods and services
- Indirect costs calculated at 7% of eligible direct costs
- Non-deductible/non-refundable VAT, subject to the conditions defined in the call
- Acquisition of infrastructure, equipment, tools and services needed to establish, operate or upgrade the Regional Cable Hub and strengthen the security and resilience of undersea cables Call Document DEP 11
Funding conditions
Type of action:
Simple grant
Funding rate:
70%
Expected EU contribution
€2.5 million per project, 2 projects funded
The 70% funding rate is exceptionally increased due to the geopolitical importance of the activities funded under this topic.
Deadline for submission
14 January 2027