Cyber threats do not stop at national borders, and neither should Europe's response. With growing cybersecurity requirements under NIS2, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and DORA, EU funding offers organisations opportunities to develop, test and deploy solutions that strengthen Europe's digital resilience.
At Cyber Day 2026 in Ljubljana, I presented two major funding programmes and explained how companies and organisations can become partners in EU cybersecurity projects.
Horizon Europe vs Digital Europe: What's the Difference?
Both programmes support cybersecurity initiatives through the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), but serve different purposes.
Horizon Europe focuses on research and innovation, supporting the development and demonstration of new cybersecurity technologies, including AI-driven security, post-quantum cryptography and secure cloud infrastructure.
Digital Europe focuses on deployment and scaling, helping organisations implement market-ready cybersecurity solutions, strengthen critical infrastructure and address EU regulatory requirements.
In simple terms: Horizon Europe helps develop and demonstrate solutions; Digital Europe helps deploy them at scale.
Who Can Join an EU Cybersecurity Consortium?
EU cybersecurity projects bring together organisations with complementary expertise. Typical consortium partners include:
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SMEs, startups and technology providers developing cybersecurity solutions.
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Universities and research institutions providing research, testing and validation.
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Critical infrastructure operators and industry offering real-world pilot environments.
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Public authorities, CSIRTs and Security Operations Centres (SOCs) contributing operational expertise.
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Testing laboratories, Digital Innovation Hubs and cybersecurity clusters supporting certification, training and SME adoption.
A consortium generally includes partners from several eligible European countries, coordinated by one organisation. Other partners may lead work packages, provide technology, validate solutions or participate as end users.
Who cannot participate? Organisations that do not meet the specific call's eligibility or security requirements cannot receive funding under that call. A relevant project role is also essential. Geographic restrictions, ownership conditions and other exclusions must be checked individually in each call's documentation.
What Makes a Strong Cybersecurity Funding Application?
Successful consortium building starts well before the submission deadline.
Three steps are particularly important:
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Identify the right funding call. Match your technology, expertise or organisational mandate to the topic's objectives.
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Define your role. Determine whether you can contribute as a coordinator, technology provider, research partner, work package leader or pilot organisation.
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Join the consortium early. Project partners are often selected weeks before the application deadline.
A competitive proposal must demonstrate clear responsibilities, complementary expertise and a credible approach to delivering measurable cybersecurity improvements.
Upcoming EU Cybersecurity Funding Calls in 2027
Two major opportunities highlighted at Cyber Day 2026 are:
Digital Europe – Deadline: 14 January 2027, 17:00 CET
Seven cybersecurity topics with a combined indicative budget of €96 million, covering EU cybersecurity legislation, AI-powered solutions for SMEs, dual-use technologies, cyber preparedness and critical infrastructure protection.
Horizon Europe – Deadline: 15 September 2027
Four ECCC cybersecurity topics with a combined indicative budget of €71.8 million, supporting AI for cybersecurity, secure IoT and cloud infrastructure, post-quantum security and hybrid quantum networks.
Find Your Place in an EU Cybersecurity Project
EU cybersecurity funding is not limited to large technology companies. SMEs, research organisations, infrastructure operators and public institutions can all make valuable contributions to European cybersecurity consortia.
At Tiko Pro, we help organisations identify suitable EU funding opportunities, define their roles, build international partnerships and prepare competitive project proposals.
Looking to join or build an EU cybersecurity consortium?
Contact me at matej.tisaj@tiko-pro.si to explore where your organisation could contribute.