Call for SMEs to Join a Project Consortium for AI-Powered Edge Cybersecurity - European DIGITAL SME Alliance

Call for SMEs to Join a Project Consortium for AI-Powered Edge Cybersecurity

Deadline
October 1, 2026
Funding amount
To be agreed with the coordinator
Category
Cloud/Edge Computing Cybersecurity and Data Protection AI IoT Digitalisation Software Development Innovation Technology
Call Type
Funding calls for SME
Eligibility (geography)
EU Member States, DIGITAL SME Members, European Digital Innovators Club Members, Member of Members, DEP Associated Countries

AI-EDGEGUARD project consortium under Digital Europe Programme (call ID: DIGITAL-ECCC-2027-DEPLOY-CYBER-11-AI4SME) is looking for an SME to join their partnership. The project team is developing an AI-powered cybersecurity-as-a-service solution and secure Edge SDK to protect network equipment, IoT devices and edge-AI applications used by European SMEs. The solution will combine AI-based anomaly detection and attack mitigation, secure edge equipment connected to a distributed cyber-monitoring infrastructure, and a distributed edge-AI-cloud continuum.

SME profile and role

The consortium is looking for a European SME to join as an end-user partner. The ideal candidates are companies which can provide a real operational environment to deploy and validate project’s solution. Relevant sectors may include (but are not limited to): e-health and healthcare; industrial automation and manufacturing; retail and consumer facilities; IoT environments; connected infrastructure in enterprise, domestic or public settings.

Selected SME(s) will act as pilot and end-user partners, contributing to:

  • Definition of operational requirements and use cases;
  • Deployment of a secure network gateway and/or connected IoT devices in their own environment;
  • Testing and validation of the AI-EDGEGUARD solution under real-world conditions;
  • Feedback on the solution’s usability, performance and cybersecurity capabilities;
  • Project demonstrations and evaluation activities.

Budget

The overall EU contribution to the project can reach up to €5 million. The specific budget allocated to each SME will depend on its role, activities and individual agreement with the project coordinator. Based on the funding rules for this call, participating SMEs are expected to provide 25% co-funding of their allocated project budget. The expected project duration is 3 years.

Please note that for the selection of participating Partners, priority will be given to DIGITAL SME Alliance Members of Members and European Digital Innovators Club Members. For further questions, feel free to contact Christian Allié at c.allie@digitalsme.eu

The deadline to express interest is Friday, 02 October 2026, mid-day/12:00 CEST. Please express your interest by applying through the form below.

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