New ECCC call for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme is open for applications
EU's significant public investment in AI-powered cybersecurity signals regulatory and capability directions that may inform Australian cyber-AI policy thinking.
Key points
- EU's ECCC opens €96 million Digital Europe Programme call for AI-enabled cybersecurity proposals, closing 14 January 2027.
- Two streams explicitly fund AI-based cybersecurity tools — €15M for public authorities and €20M for SMEs — alongside Cyber Resilience Act and AI Act compliance support.
- Limited direct relevance to Australian agencies; useful context on EU AI-cybersecurity investment trends for comparative policy awareness.
Implications for Australian agencies
- Monitor Cyber and AI policy teams may want to monitor outcomes from this call as a signal of EU investment priorities in AI-enabled cybersecurity, which could inform Australian comparative policy development.
Implications are AI-generated. Starting points, not advice — see methodology for how they're framed.
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"New ECCC call for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme is open for applications"
Source: EU Digital Strategy – News
Published: 1 September 2026
URL: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/new-eccc-call-proposals-under-digital-europe-programme-open-applications
The European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) has opened a €96 million call for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme, covering seven cybersecurity workstreams. Two streams are explicitly AI-focused: €15 million for AI-based cybersecurity tools for national authorities and CSIRTs, and €20 million for AI-powered solutions for European SMEs. Additional streams cover coordinated preparedness testing, undersea cable resilience, National Coordination Centre capacity, EU legislative compliance (including AI Act and Cyber Resilience Act), and dual-use technologies. The call is open to EU-eligible entities until 14 January 2027 and is not directly accessible to Australian organisations.
Implications for Australian agencies:
- [Monitor] Cyber and AI policy teams may want to monitor outcomes from this call as a signal of EU investment priorities in AI-enabled cybersecurity, which could inform Australian comparative policy development.
Retrieved from SIMS, 15 November 2026.