Open Call for Expression of Interest: Digital Briefs 2026 (paid opportunity)

The Digital Skills and Jobs Platform's Digital Briefs series offer in-depth, high-quality and expert-led content on key topics in the field of digital skills, jobs, and key technologies, reflecting the diversity of perspectives at the very core of Europe's strengths. Applications for the 2026 series of the Digital Briefs are now open, via EU survey. The deadline to submit expressions of interest is Monday, 30 March 2026 (23:59 CEST).

Background and context

The Digital Briefs are essentially deep-dives into particular topics that follow the approach of academic papers, presented in a user-friendly, accessible format. Each brief ranges between 2.000 to 3.000 words (excluding references), delving into some of the most pressing topics and themes at the intersection of digital skills and technology. 

Some examples of already published briefs can be found below: 

• All Things Data: a skilled workforce in a data-driven future?” (deep-dive) 
• Unveiling European Capacity-Building: Strategies to Ensure European Competitiveness in Innovation (deep-dive)

Topics

We welcome applications for any of the 11 topics listed below. All topics should be tackled from the prism/perspective of digital skills and jobs. The exact scope and final titles may be elaborated in discussion with the selected expert and tweaked as a result. 

1. An exploration of a new world made possible by quantum technology - from futuristic tales to real-world practical advancements in the field in Europe.  
2. AI & Health – How are advancements in AI breaking frontiers in medical technology? A focus on some use cases of AI uptake and deployment in healthcare for good that is bringing tangible benefits to humanity.  
3. Stepping into the metaverse: what are the skills we need to make the most immersive environments? (in the context of 1) development skills like XR and 3D modelling and 2) user skills – navigation, collaboration, safety).  
4. Structural barriers for women in ICT as a direct impediment to competitiveness: why do so few women progress into leadership roles, despite outperforming male counterparts in education and training?   
5. ‘The wind of change’: is skill-based recruitment in the digital economy on the rise? A deep-dive into skill-based recruitment versus degree-based hiring in the ICT sector.  
6. ‘Age ain’t nothing but a number’ – closing the digital skills gap for adults in view of the Digital Decade targets. 
7. Digital skills for public good: how can we build digital capacity for public servants in local administrations? What are the benefits from the digitalisation of public services and who are the leaders and the laggers amongst EU Member States? 
8. ‘The weakest link’: at the intersection of Internet of Things and cybersecurity in a hyperconnected Europe, how can we build the skills to ensure connected devices are safe, and train EU workforce to manage IoT risks?  
9. 'Telling right from wrong’: an exploration of deepfakes, altered information and the media authentication and critical skills we need to tell what is real and what is not. 
10. Deskilling or upskilling? An exploration of roles being taken up (deskilled) by automation, with a focus on the skills and know-how workers can gain and deploy to transition to occupations less touched by the transformative effect of GenAI.  
11. ‘Digital reskilling and mid-career transitions’: what helps and what hinders mid-career workers to reskill for digital roles?   

Each expert can be engaged in maximum 2 topics. 

Main details 

This open call is published via EU survey, at the following link and also below. 
We advise you to consult the full text of this call, including requirements and eligibility, via here. 

Deadline: Monday, 30 March 2026