Essay Competition 2026
The chosen theme for this third call is “Tech Sovereignty for a Competitive, Resilient and Democratic Europe”, aiming to promote interest in the economic, strategic, and democratic dimensions of Europe’s tech future.
As digital technologies increasingly shape economic competitiveness, national security and democratic governance, Europe faces important choices regarding the development, deployment and control of critical technologies. From artificial intelligence, cloud computing and semiconductors to cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and data governance, technological capabilities have become key determinants of prosperity, resilience and strategic autonomy.
Europe relies heavily on external suppliers (i.e. the United States and China) for cloud infrastructure, operating systems, software platforms, and hardware manufacturing and parts of the semiconductor supply chain. This dependency means that European data often flows through foreign systems subject to other countries’ laws, while geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions, or supply chain disruptions can directly affect European economies and security.
In this context, tech sovereignty represents Europe’s push to build and maintain greater control over its critical digital infrastructure, data, and technology stack, intending to reduce reliance on external powers and ensure that key digital systems remain resilient and aligned with European interests, values, and regulations, rather than being shaped by decisions made beyond its borders.
This competition aims to stimulate interest in the tech sovereignty debate and related topics, while encouraging students and researchers to reflect on the opportunities and challenges associated with building a competitive, secure and democratic European tech ecosystem.
Participants may choose one of three thematic tracks. The Tech-Competition track invites participants to develop an innovative business model for the Tech Sovereignty Catalogue, while the Tech-Resilience and Tech-Democracy tracks require an analytical essay. Regardless of the selected track, submissions should demonstrate originality, critical thinking, and a clear, evidence-based approach to addressing the proposed challenge.
Through this call, DIGITAL SME is seeking submissions addressing one of the following topics:
TECH-COMPETITION – BUILDING EUROPE’S SOVEREIGN TECHNOLOGY MARKETPLACE
Target dimension: Prosperity.
Challenge: Europe has developed an increasingly rich ecosystem of sovereign digital technologies spanning cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, digital infrastructure, and open-source solutions. However, these innovations remain fragmented, making it difficult for businesses, public administrations, investors, and technology providers to discover, evaluate, and adopt European alternatives.
The Tech Sovereignty Catalogue is an important first step toward increasing the visibility of these solutions. The next challenge is transforming it from a static catalogue into a dynamic digital marketplace that connects supply and demand, creates value for multiple stakeholders, and accelerates the adoption of European technologies.
Participants are invited to design an innovative and economically sustainable business model that enables the Tech Sovereignty Catalogue to become Europe’s leading marketplace for sovereign technologies. Unlike the other competition tracks, this challenge focuses on developing a business model rather than writing a traditional analytical essay. Participants should demonstrate how their proposed marketplace creates, delivers, and captures value while supporting Europe’s technological competitiveness and the adoption of European digital solutions.
Essay question: How can the Tech Sovereignty Catalogue evolve into a financially sustainable marketplace that accelerates the discovery, adoption, and growth of European sovereign technologies?
Possible areas of exploration
Platform and marketplace business models; Multi-sided platform economics; Value creation and value capture; Customer acquisition and network effects; Revenue models and financial sustainability; Digital ecosystem orchestration; AI-powered matching and recommendation services; Trust, certification and governance mechanisms; Public procurement and European technology adoption; Partnerships with investors, accelerators, research organisations and industry associations; Marketplace scaling across Europe; Competitive positioning in the global technology ecosystem.
Relevant disciplines: Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Studies, Management, Marketing, Information Systems, Industrial Engineering, Technology Policy.
TECH-RESILIENCE – SECURITY, SOVEREIGNTY AND STRATEGIC AUTONOMY
Target dimension: Power.
Challenge: Technologies now underpin critical infrastructure, energy systems, industrial production, communications networks, and public services. At the same time, cyber threats, geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, and growing competition for critical technologies are exposing Europe’s vulnerabilities. Dependence on external technologies and suppliers can create risks that affect not only economic competitiveness but also security, resilience, and Europe’s ability to respond to crises.
As tech competition intensifies and critical infrastructures become increasingly interconnected, Europe faces the challenge of strengthening its resilience, protecting strategic assets, and ensuring continued access to essential technological capabilities.
Essay question: How can Europe reduce strategic dependencies and strengthen its resilience in an increasingly contested technological landscape?
Possible areas of exploration
Cybersecurity and tech sovereignty, Energy security and digital infrastructure, Protection of critical infrastructure, Strategic dependencies and supply-chain resilience, Trusted technologies and secure communications, Defence innovation and dual-use technologies, Cloud, connectivity, and digital resilience, AI and security, Tech sovereignty and geopolitical competition, The role of SMEs in strengthening European resilience, Strategic autonomy in an interconnected world, Emerging technologies and Europe’s long-term security.
Relevant disciplines: International Relations, Security Studies, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Energy Studies, and Strategic Studies.
TECH-DEMOCRACY – DIGITAL GOVERNANCE, DATA SOVEREIGNTY AND DEMOCRATIC CONTROL
Target dimension: Values.
Challenge: Tech sovereignty is not only about economic competitiveness and security. It is also about who controls data, digital infrastructure, technological standards, and the rules that govern the digital society. As artificial intelligence, digital platforms, cloud services, and data-driven technologies become increasingly central to everyday life, Europe faces the challenge of ensuring that technological development serves the public interest while safeguarding fundamental rights, democratic accountability, and public trust.
Europe has emerged as a global leader in digital regulation and rights-based governance. Yet important questions remain regarding how digital technologies should be governed in a rapidly evolving technological landscape and how sovereignty can be exercised while preserving openness, innovation, and democratic values.
Essay question: How can Europe shape the governance of digital technologies in line with its democratic values?
Possible areas of exploration:
Data sovereignty and data governance, AI governance, Digital rights and fundamental freedoms, Digital identity and digital public infrastructure, Platform regulation and accountability, Interoperability and open digital ecosystems, Open-source software and technological sovereignty, Trustworthy and human-centric AI, Democratic oversight of technology, The future of European digital governance, Data sharing, data spaces, and public interest technologies, Balancing innovation, security, and fundamental rights.
Relevant disciplines: Law, Public Policy, Political Science, Governance Studies, Ethics, Human Rights.
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