Sectoral digital skills academies: Virtual Worlds Skills Academy

The main goal of this opportunity is to reduce digital skills gaps in Europe by establishing sectoral academies focused on emerging technologies such as quantum technologies, generative AI, and virtual worlds. The initiative aims to foster a highly skilled workforce, support the EU's competitiveness, and ensure technological sovereignty. Activities include designing and delivering education and training, building strong ecosystems of stakeholders, and monitoring progress to align with EU strategic needs. Special attention is given to sustainability, inclusivity, and providing opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women, disadvantaged youth, and people with disabilities. The geographic scope covers eligible EU Member States, certain EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.

• Develop modular, multidisciplinary programmes and a qualification framework for virtual worlds education
• Train diverse target groups (students, educators, professionals, citizens) through tailored curricula and practical experiences
• Build an EU-wide ecosystem linking academia, industry, and public bodies, aligned with EU digital initiatives
• Ensure project sustainability, broad dissemination, and continuous impact monitoring
• Promote inclusivity, gender balance, and international participation with financial support measures

Examples:

• A consortium of universities and tech firms from France, Germany, and Italy proposing a Quantum Skills Academy with training modules and industry placements.
• A partnership of six organizations from Spain, Poland, and Sweden developing a GenAI Skills Academy focused on upskilling women and youth in AI technologies.
• A cross-border team from four countries creating a Virtual Worlds Academy with blended learning programs and support for people with disabilities.

• Lump sum contributions covering all project activities
• Depreciation costs for equipment used in the project
• Financial support to third parties (up to EUR 60,000 per third party, unless justified otherwise)
• Scholarships, fellowships, and apprenticeships for participants
• Personnel costs directly related to project implementation
• Travel and accommodation for project activities
• Costs for developing and delivering educational content
• Communication and dissemination activities
• Indirect costs, as part of the lump sum

Restrictions: All costs must represent good value for money, avoid conflicts of interest, and comply with the rules in the Grant Agreement. Financial support to third parties cannot exceed 20% of the requested EU funding.

• 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 10,000,000 
• Maximum project duration: 48 months

• Applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies) established in eligible countries
• Registration in the Participant Register and validation by the Central Validation Service is required
• Natural persons are not eligible, except for self-employed individuals with no separate legal entity
• Consortium applications are mandatory, with specific minimum numbers of entities and countries per academy
• At least two degree-awarding higher education institutions from eligible countries are highly recommended in the consortium
• Applicants must not be subject to exclusion due to bankruptcy, fraud, corruption, or other criminal activity
• Entities from associated countries must meet additional conditions, such as security and ownership requirements