Sectoral digital skills academies: Digital Skills Academy in GenAI

The main goal is to create sectoral digital skills academies that address workforce gaps in quantum technologies, generative AI, and virtual worlds. The focus is on building a skilled workforce to boost EU competitiveness, technological independence, and innovation across key industries and the public sector. The initiative aims to reduce digital skills shortages, encourage collaboration among stakeholders, and establish sustainable training programs. Special emphasis is placed on inclusivity, ensuring opportunities for women, disadvantaged groups, and people with disabilities. Eligible applicants are from EU Member States, certain EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.

• Projects must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal before the deadline.
• Proposals must be complete, readable, and include all required sections and annexes (maximum 70 pages for Part B).
• Applicants must be legal entities from eligible countries; natural persons are not eligible except for certain self-employed individuals.
• Multi-beneficiary applications are required, with specific consortium composition rules depending on the topic (e.g., minimum number of entities and countries).
• The consortium should include at least three degree-awarding higher education institutions from different eligible countries and two industry partners.
• Projects must focus on education, training, outreach, and capacity building in digital skills, and must not overlap with other EU-funded actions.

Example projects:

• A partnership between universities and tech companies to launch a quantum computing training program across three EU countries.
• A consortium creating an online GenAI curriculum with scholarships for underrepresented groups, involving six organizations from four eligible countries.
• A collaborative project between academic institutions and industry to develop hands-on workshops in virtual worlds, targeting students with disabilities.

• Lump sum contributions covering all direct and indirect project costs
• Depreciation costs for equipment used in the project
• Financial support to third parties (e.g., scholarships, fellowships, apprenticeships)
• Personnel costs for staff involved in project activities
• Costs for developing and delivering education and training modules
• Travel and subsistence for project staff, trainers, and participants
• Costs related to outreach and dissemination activities
• Expenses for capacity-building events and workshops
• Administrative and management costs

Restrictions: Financial support to third parties is capped at EUR 60,000 per third party (unless justified), and cannot exceed 20% of the EU funding requested. Only depreciation costs, not full purchase costs, are eligible for equipment. All costs must comply with EU eligibility rules and cannot be declared under other EU grants.

• Total budget of the grant: EUR 27,000,000
• Number of Grants attributed: 1
• Co-financing rate: 50% (lump sum grants)
• Budget per Grant: EUR 7,000,000 
• Maximum project duration: 48 months

• Applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies) from eligible countries (EU Member States, certain EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme).
• All beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register and be validated before proposal submission.
• Natural persons are not eligible, except for self-employed individuals where the company lacks separate legal personality.
• Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory, with specific requirements for consortium composition (e.g., at least two degree-awarding higher education institutions, one with an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education).
• Applicants must not be subject to exclusion due to bankruptcy, professional misconduct, or criminal activities.
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient operational and financial capacity.
• Eligibility depends on forming a network or partnership that meets the consortium requirements for the chosen topic.