European opportunities: 4 calls for digital and technological projects
On November 10, 2025, Switzerland officially joined the European programs Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, and Euratom, with retroactive effect from January 1, 2025. This agreement allows Swiss companies and researchers to participate fully—and benefit from direct funding—in several major European Union research, innovation, and digital transformation initiatives.
Two programs stand out on the horizon for the first half of 2026, opening a strategic window of opportunity for Swiss SMEs in French-speaking Switzerland wishing to anchor themselves in the dynamics of European technological transformation:
- the EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges, an initiative of the European Innovation Council (EIC) targeting disruptive technologies
- and the Digital Europe Program (2021–2027), which supports the development of skills, digital infrastructure, and data ecosystems in Europe.
The four calls for projects currently open cover topics ranging from artificial intelligence to strengthening advanced digital skills, connected manufacturing, and digital innovation hubs.
Details: EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges – deadline❗️February 26, 2026❗️
Details: Digital Europe Program (2021–2027) – deadline❗️March 3, 2026❗️
EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges – Pilot
Supported by the European Innovation Council, this call supports disruptive technology projects in key areas such as bioproduction, advanced cyber-physical systems, and quantum technologies. The first challenge for 2026, entitled "Accelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of AI-Powered Robotics," aims to bring about a new generation of intelligent robots that integrate physical intelligence, combining perception, action, learning, and autonomy in complex environments.
This challenge aims to strengthen Europe's technological sovereignty and position the EU at the forefront of embodied AI development, in connection with concrete applications (industry, healthcare, logistics, agriculture, etc.). Funding can reach €4 million per project, with tailored strategic support. Swiss SMEs and start-ups active in robotics, AI, smart sensors, or mechatronics would be well advised to join a European consortium in order to position themselves in this highly competitive emerging market.
Details: EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges – deadline❗️February 26, 2026❗️
Digital Europe Program (2021–2027)
Advanced Digital Skills
This call from the Digital Europe Program aims to address the skills gap in advanced technologies by supporting training programs in AI, cybersecurity, HPC, and big data. Selected projects will receive 50% co-funding to develop hybrid training courses or specialized programs in collaboration with businesses. Swiss SMEs can participate as industrial partners, training organizations, or direct beneficiaries, thereby strengthening the digital skills of their teams while gaining access to European educational resources.
Details: Advanced Digital Skills – deadline❗️March 3, 2026❗️
European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)
This call aims to strengthen the European network of Digital Innovation Hubs by integrating new regional centers capable of supporting companies in their digital transformation. Projects can receive funding to set up support, experimentation, or training services, enabling partners to join a structured European network. Hubs, clusters, or incubators in French-speaking Switzerland can use this as a springboard to expand their regional impact while gaining access to cross-border collaborations and shared resources.
Details: EDIHs – deadline❗️March 3, 2026❗️
Data Space for Manufacturing
Finally, the Data Space for Manufacturing call aims to create a secure and interoperable data space dedicated to European manufacturing, promoting information sharing between companies. It supports projects developing technical platforms, common standards, and data architectures. For Swiss industrial SMEs (microtechnology, watchmaking, mechanics), this is a strategic opportunity to enter digital value chains on a European scale and accelerate their transition to Industry 4.0.
Details: Data Space for Manufacturing – deadline❗️March 3, 2026❗️
If you are interested in one of these programs, you can contact the relevant federal and cantonal agencies:
- Digital Europe Program: digital-europe@sbfi.admin.ch
- EIC AIC: digital-europe@sbfi.admin.ch (& contacts in French-speaking Switzerland)
