EU launches new set of open calls under DIGITAL to boost Advanced Digital Skills

On 1 April 2026, the European Commission and HaDEA, the Commission’s Health and Digital Executive Agency, announced the 10th set of open calls under the Digital Europe Programme. €12.5 million will go towards projects aiming to boost the deployment and uptake of key and innovative digital technologies throughout EU Member States.

In the spotlight: funding for advanced digital skills under DIGITAL

The calls in this set open on 21 April 2026, with a deadline on 01 October 2026 at 17:00h CEST. The three calls are explicitly focusing on fostering the development of advanced digital skills:

1. Advanced Digital Skills for AI Uptake in Health (DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-10-DIGITAL-HEALTH-STEP): expand the offer of education and training in Artificial Intelligence in health. It will fund higher education and training, research organisations and industry to jointly design and deliver training programmes to increase the AI readiness of healthcare organisations and their workforce and support the effective uptake of AI solutions in healthcare settings.
2. EdTech Accelerator (DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-10-EDTECH): assist European EdTech startups and SMEs in transforming concepts for educational solutions into matured and fully tested applications and solutions
3. Digital Skills and Jobs Platform: The National Coalitions for Digital Skills and Jobs (DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-10-NATIONAL-COALITIONS): support the establishment of new National Coalitions for Digital Skills and Jobs and national platforms in Member States and DIGITAL associated countries that do not have one yet, as well as the expansion and continued operation of activities of already established National Coalitions and national websites.

Info day: DIGITAL Europe 10th Call for Advanced Digital Skills

SAVE THE DATE: On 29 April 2026, the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, will hold an online Info Day dedicated to the three calls, followed by a Matchmaking Event.

These calls under the Digital Europe Programme aim to support initiatives dedicated to unlocking AI’s potential in bolstering innovation in key sectors like health and education, and supporting advanced digital skills development throughout Europe. Future projects funded under the calls will help strengthen the advanced digital skills ecosystem in line with the 2030 Digital Decade targets and objectives of the EU Competitiveness Compass. 

Further details on the calls and the application process is available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Make sure to also visit the Partner for Digital Skills Networking Group, where you can discuss the calls, network and find like-minded project partners.

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